ECC's athletic program returns to NJCAA Division II Level

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCCA) and Elgin Community College President David Sam, Ph.D., JD, LLM, and the board of trustees approved ECC Athletics to return to Division II. ECC Athletics has been in the Division III level for the past five years, having previously been a Division II level school.

Students can now receive athletic scholarships at the Division II level, which they previously could not do at the Division III level. By providing scholarships, ECC Athletics hopes to further attract top athletes from District 509 high schools and lessen the financial burden on student-athletes and their families. The level change also looks to increase participation in the athletic department's women's programs.

"Our athletics department and coaches are thankful to Dr. Sam and the District 509 Board of Trustees for the opportunity to offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes. Our intention is to be very competitive within our Region IV and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and offer a first-class education at ECC," said Kent Payne, director of athletics and wellness at ECC.

Spartans teams are gearing up to play at the Division II level for the upcoming season. "We are really excited about the recruitment class and returning players for the 2021-22 season," said ECC Men's Basketball Coach Reed Nosbisch. "The gym has been empty for too long."

ECC currently has 10 NJCCA sanctioned athletic teams consisting of men's and women's basketball soccer, and tennis, men's baseball and golf, and women's softball and volleyball. For more information on the ECC Athletics Department, visit elgin.edu/life-at-ecc/athletics/ and stay tuned for the launch of their new website coming this summer.