College’s first team in starting block

BENTONVILLE — Northwest Arkansas Community College is on its way to establishing a cross country team, which probably will begin competing by spring of next year, President Evelyn Jorgenson said.

Jorgenson gave the Board of Trustees an update Friday on the college’s first attempt at a sanctioned sports program, which the board approved in November.

The college is seeking acceptance into the National Junior College Athletic Association. Bryson Collins, membership coordinator for the association, toured the college Jan. 14 in what Jorgenson called a “very positive” visit.

“They wanted to make sure we can deal with student-athletes through the whole process of enrollment and educational support,” she said.

The association has three divisions. Division I colleges may grant full athletic scholarships. Division II colleges may grant athletic scholarships, but they are limited to tuition, books, fees and up to $250 in course-required supplies. Division III colleges aren’t permitted to offer athletic scholarships.

Northwest Arkansas Community College is developing a budget for the cross country team as part of the school’s overall budget planning process. The college also will have to hire a coach, someone who probably will have other duties such as advising or tutoring, Jorgenson said. Meanwhile, the college’s marketing department is working on a logo for the team.

“Most of what’s going to happen this year is just getting all the T’s crossed, the I’s dotted,” Jorgenson said. “I personally have serious doubt that anything will start this fall. I think we’ll still be building, and probably be competitive by spring of 2021.”

The application fee to join the association was $2,500, which came from the college’s foundation, Jorgenson said. The college will lean on the foundation to provide additional money for team expenses, such as uniforms and travel, she said.

“We’re going to use as little college operating dollars as possible on this,” she said.