Arch Scurlock/Sports Columnist

NOVA has recently announced that it has joined the National Junior College Athletic Association, effective for the 2011-12 academic year.

With membership among the more than 500 two-year colleges in 43 states in the NJCAA, NOVA student-athletes gain the opportunity to compete at a higher level of competition, for post-season competitions, including national championships, and for prestigious academic and athletic awards. It also includes NOVA with colleges that require uniform eligibility requirements for its student-athletes and give their student-athletes increased visibility with respect for possible recruitment by four-year colleges.

NOVA President Robert G. Templin, Jr. said about the announcement, “We are thrilled to be joining the NJCAA. Club sports teams have been a long tradition at NOVA and the College has fielded numerous athletic teams since it was established in 1965. By joining NJCAA, our athletes will have greater opportunities for winning championships and academic awards.”

NOVA will transition most of its current roster of sports teams to an NJCAA schedule in 2012-13, while continuing with a club sports schedule for this academic year. Teams making the transition include women’s volleyball and basketball, and men’s soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Its co-ed ice hockey team will retain membership in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. An unknown additional women’s sport is slated to be added for the first NJCAA year.

NOVA also announced in an August press release that in response to a spring 2011 student survey strongly supporting increased athletic and recreational programs, extra support will be added for intramural sports programming.

The NJCAA is the primary governing body of two-year college athletics and the second largest national intercollegiate organization in the US. Each year, nearly 60,000 student-athletes compete in 28 sports, and the NJCAA sponsors 48 national championship events.

The upgrades seem appropriate for a college including over 75,000 students on six campuses in the influential northern Virginia region, one of the largest community colleges in the country.

By: Arch Scurlock

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