By Gregory Childress : The Herald-Sun
Aug 28, 2008

Durham -- More and more of the state's community colleges are beginning to offer intercollegiate athletics, but the trend hasn't gained momentum here.

Durham Technical Community College officials said sports teams have been discussed in recent years, but there hasn't been a push from students requesting the college offer formal athletic programs.

"At this point, we're looking into intramural opportunities and extramural opportunities with other community colleges," said Wanda Maggart, Durham Tech's senior vice president.

The extramural opportunities could include athletic competition such as golf and 3-on-3 basketball against students from other community colleges in the region. A dodgeball tournament and a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, to be hosted by Durham Tech, is listed among offerings on the N.C. Community College System's 2008-2009 extramural schedule.

In Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College took the leap into intercollegiate athletics this year, bringing to 19 the number of North Carolina community colleges that offer intercollegiate athletics. The state has 58 community colleges in all.

Wake Tech began competing in soccer, golf and volleyball this week. The school will add basketball, baseball and softball over the next two years.

Barry Street, director of athletics at Wake Tech, said the move to offer intercollegiate athletics was driven by students and led by the school's student government association.

"That was the deciding factor here," said Street, who was assistant women's basketball coach at N.C. Central University in the early 1990s.

Street said he believes athletics will boost the college experience for students and raise Wake Tech's profile in the region.

"That's obviously going to draw attention and enhance the recruitment of the regular student body," Street said.

Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory recently added men's and women's basketball to its lineup of sports programs. CVCC President Garrett Hinshaw said the two new athletic programs which will begin next fall was created as a result of student demand.

"One of the seven major directions in our Strategic Plan is to foster student engagement," Hinshaw said in a news release. "This is a great opportunity -- something our students approached us about -- that we can provide our students."

Audrey Bailey, director of media and public relations for the N.C. Community College System, agreed with Street that adding athletics to community college campuses enhances the academic experience. She said in some of North Carolina's smaller towns, community college athletics are also a quality of live enhancement.

"In some areas, it's the only game in town," Bailey said.