Snow College Adds Men and Women Soccer Programs

Season will begin with the 2016-17 academic year 

 

EPHRAIM – Snow College announces the addition of a men’s and women’s soccer program as part of its sanctioned NJCAA athletic program. Last spring, a proposal to make this change was submitted by students and members of the faculty. A great deal of positive discussion has taken place over the last six months, and the Board of Trustees recently voted to accept the recommendation to add the programs.

Athletic Director, Rob Nielson, is pleased with this decision. He said, “Soccer is one of the fastest growing high school sports in the state of Utah. The addition of soccer has been a topic of discussion for several years at Snow College and, over these years, the soccer club on campus has continued to grow. We appreciate the work of the faculty members who have gauged interest, held meetings, and advocated this addition. We have worked with our region, and – overall – have found that there is a strong interest in all areas to include soccer in the Snow College athletic program. ” The Scenic West Athletic Conference recognizes soccer as a core sport, and the strategic plan adopted by the college acknowledged that adding soccer would be the next logical step in the athletic department.

The college will immediately begin the search for two part-time coaches, one for the women’s team and one for the men’s team. A coach for each team will allow for different travel options, recruitment of high school players, and the ability to focus on academics and other concerns of each team. Players will be recruited as soon as the coaching staffs are in place. There is no limit on the number of students on each team. Teams may play up to twenty-two matches per year and conclude with a national championship tournament. Because soccer season is in the fall for both men and women, practice will begin August 1 of each year. Teams will arrive early to campus, as the football and volleyball teams do currently. Soccer practices and games will initially be played at the college’s quadraplex, located on 300 North in Ephraim.

“We look forward to the opportunities this will provide for our students. We always want to be aware of students’ desires, and the addition of soccer is a response to their interests. I have confidence in our athletic leadership team and trust they will implement this inaugural season well. We welcome all interested students, and we hope this soccer season, along with the proposed soccer camps, will provide opportunities for our community as well,” said President Gary L. Carlston. 

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Snow College, founded in 1888 by Mormon settlers, is a two-year college with campuses in Ephraim and Richfield, Utah. Serving 5,000 students, the college has been nationally recognized for its student success rates, affordable cost-for-value, involvement opportunities, and exceptional teaching. Learn more about all Snow College has to offer online at http://www.snow.edu.