Johnston Community College plans to add men’s and women’s basketball to its athletics program beginning in 2016.

College officials believe the expansion will enhance the student experience, foster pride, serve as a recruitment tool, and be another opportunity to connect the community to the college. Currently, JCC has a men’s and women’s golf team.

The men’s basketball team will compete in Division 3 Region 10 of the National Junior College Athletic Association, playing junior college teams in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The women’s team will play in Division 2 of Region 10.

JCC is excited about its new home court at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center (SRAC) and believes the location will be an excellent boost for the program, said Dr. Pam Harrell, vice president of student services.

“Our students have been asking us to bring some type of spectator sport to our athletics program, so we feel the timing is right,” Harrell said. “We are so grateful for our partnership with the SRAC and its administration. We are excited about what the expansion of athletics at JCC will mean for our students, employees and community,” and we encourage everyone to come out, participate, and cheer for the JCC Jaguars.”

Derrick Arnold, coordinator of student engagement and athletics at JCC, said basketball will also extend the educational experience beyond the classroom for students. He said

offering a spectator sport will also allow the Johnston County community to foster pride in its hometown college.

“This isn’t just an opportunity for players and coaches,” Arnold said. “We see hands-on learning experiences for many of our clubs and curriculum programs so we are planning this to be an overall campus inclusion in our athletics program. “We encourage everyone to come out, participate, and cheer for the JCC Jaguars.”

JCC is recruiting coaches for both teams and plans to have teams and coaches in place to begin playing for the 2016-17 season next November.

For more information about athletics at JCC or to inquire about coaching or player opportunities, please contact Arnold at (919) 209-2203.