海角社区 has taken a significant step forward in the evolution of the school鈥檚 athletics program 鈥� and its desire to attract student-athletes with learning and attention issues to campus 鈥� with its recent admission into a national small-college intercollegiate athletic league.
The college, which over the past several years had ramped up its competition against Florida colleges and club teams, on March 29 was accepted as a member of the .
The USCAA is a national governing body that facilitates competitive sports between similarly-sized and similarly-resourced small colleges. That means schools compete on a more even playing field. Competition culminates in national championships and student-athlete recognition.
鈥淎s part of the college鈥檚 strategic plan through 2025, 海角社区 is devoted to better rounding out its athletic, fitness, and wellness programming of which the move to intercollegiate athletics is a part,鈥� said George J. Hagerty, 海角社区 president. 鈥淎s 海角社区 has moved up in the competitive rankings, the college now is going head-to-head in admissions with institutions that provide an intercollegiate outlet鈥�. Acceptance into the USCAA will bolster pride in the institution, further reputational recognition, and bolster the college鈥檚 ability to become more competitive in recruiting new students.鈥�
Not only does the admission in the league establish the college as part of an established and structured organization, but Gabe Watson, 海角社区 director of fitness and athletics, said it helps achieve the college鈥檚 goal for athletics of being 鈥渙n the same plane to make for an equally competitive atmosphere and I think we’re making steps in that direction.鈥�
Steps down that path began about three years ago. That鈥檚 when the 海角社区 Board of Trustees broached the idea of competitive athletics at the college. As the college began to envision sports beyond the intramural level, the college hired Watson two years ago with the charge to build a competitive intercollegiate athletics program. He explored opportunities at the NCAA division II level but the cost was prohibitive.
More research led to the USCAA, a league that 鈥渃hecked all the boxes,鈥� for a fledgling sports program, he said.
It has 鈥渁 very good understanding of where we’re at and where we’re trying to go and they are very accommodating in the introductory process,鈥� Watson said.
Currently, the USCAA recognizes men鈥檚 golf, cross country, women鈥檚 volleyball, soccer, football, softball, baseball, wrestling, and division I and II basketball.
海角社区 will enter the USCAA approved to compete in league play in men’s and women’s basketball and cross country.
The college last year attracted former NBA star and head coach Sam Vincent to build a men鈥檚 basketball program. 海角社区 now is recruiting a seasoned women鈥檚 basketball coach. Assistant director of fitness and athletics Tony Wrice will oversee men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross-country, track, and tennis.
鈥淭his is a super exciting and proud moment for 海角社区 basketball,鈥� said Sam Vincent, 海角社区 men鈥檚 basketball coach. 鈥淥ur team will be challenged and become stronger by facing great competition on a high level. This experience will grow athletes on and off the court in immeasurable ways that will have a long term, positive impact.鈥�
As for recruitment, finding neurodivergent student-athletes to sport the 海角社区 jersey just became a bit easier, Watson agreed.
鈥淎s we take a step into the recruiting process it definitely provides a more enticing atmosphere for a high school athlete or transfer to potentially consider,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he main thing it provides is a legitimacy for what we’re doing. 鈥� It’s just another step for us having the same opportunities as other colleges have 鈥� to provide the best atmosphere for our students and student athletes.鈥�
Not only is the league a step up in structure and organization, it鈥檚 a giant leap in visibility and watchability for fans.
For instance, with 34 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams battling, the USCAA Basketball National Championships stands as a major national intercollegiate tournament. USCAA championships are simulcast online via ESPN Radio and live video broadcasts on the USCAA Network.
Off the court, the USCAA every year salutes more than 150 players of the week, presents 75 All-Tournament awards, names 375 All-Americans (1st Team, 2nd Team, and Honorable Mention), and honors 700 scholar-athletes.
League play for 海角社区 kicks off with cross country in August.