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Hampton — Virginia Peninsula Community College adds men’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross-country/track and field for the 2023-24 school year.
The addition brings the number of VPCC sports to nine when the 2024-25 school year begins, according to Thursday’s press release. The university first announced plans to expand athletics by adding six sports in his three years in the spring of 2022.
Athletics director Chris Moore said men’s soccer was a natural choice.
“It’s a popular sport in our area,” he said. “I know there are a lot of young men who want to play football in college and I think there is a need for us in our community.”
On the other hand, Moore said cross-country/track and field may target another type of athlete, as the university sees it as one sports team to reach nine goals. .
“From a retention standpoint, I think it gives us an opportunity to help students who may not be able to shoot a basketball, kick a soccer ball, or hit a baseball, but who can go out and run.” He said. .
Expanding the sports program was a priority for Chancellor Dr. Towaanna Porter Brannon.
“We are excited about the expansion of our athletics program, and the opportunity this expansion offers to individuals who want to pursue higher education while doing the sport they love,” she said.
Moore also announced that starting in the fall, all college sports teams will become members of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
“It gives us a national platform,” he said. “We always had local platforms, but we didn’t necessarily have national platforms. Baseball and women’s basketball belong to the NJCAA. I think it’s important that these student-athletes get the national attention they deserve, as well as getting them.”
He also said it helps with recruitment and retention.
“Being part of the NJCAA, of course, makes us proud because it’s directly related to the NCAA,” says Moore. “It helps bring in higher tier athletes. Being able to compete and play on the national stage gives us something to play for.”
The university has sponsored baseball and men’s and women’s basketball for several years, adding softball and women’s volleyball in 2022-23. The university plans to add two more teams for the 2024-25 school year, and it hasn’t been decided which sports are on hold. Moore said ehe said sports, men’s volleyball, women’s soccer, tennis and golf are under consideration.
For more information on VPCC’s exercise program, visit vpcc.edu.
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