Western Nevada College to have club soccer

Western Nevada College may not have intercollegiate athletics at the end of this school year, but the school is beginning club soccer programs next school year.

WNC Dean of Students John Kinkella confirmed in an email the Associated Students of Western Nevada has approved for the school to have club men’s and women’s soccer teams next year. The teams will not be National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association teams, so in effect they are competing as independent teams. Independent teams don’t compete in a conference or participate in any kind of playoffs.

Kinkella also stated in his email, the teams will not be funded by the college or the WNC Foundation. No scholarships or institutional dollars will be spent on these programs.

The Associated Students of Western Nevada with the support of Student Life plan to begin men’s and women’s club soccer teams in the fall 2016 and the programs will be open to all WNC students. WNC hopes to field teams at recreational and more competitive levels if interest is strong enough.

“The clubs will enable the college to expand student life activities, and better serve diverse and underserved populations in our communities,” said Lilly Leon-Vicks, WNC Coordinator of Student Life.

Ian Hill, who has overseen a similar program at Lake Tahoe Community College, will be the head coach and will oversee WNC’s program.

Hill said WNC’s premier and competitive teams could compete in the West Coast Soccer Association, which is made up of university and college club teams such as Nevada, Sacramento State, UC Davis, Stanford and California. The West Coast Soccer Association has several competitive divisions, including its highest division, the premiere division. The West Coast Soccer Association competes in the fall and the spring and holds tournaments as well.

“I am honored to help create this program at WNC,” Hill said. “Anyone with a desire to play can be part of a team. We are going to provide all students with the opportunity to play the game, while using the game to enhance their education and campus experience.”

“ASWN is thrilled to partner with Coach Hill in providing an athletics program for many WNC students,” Leon-Vicks said. “Student Life can serve as a vital tool for student persistence.”

This is the last year WNC will have intercollegiate athletic programs as its baseball and softball programs will be disbanded after the 2016 season.