With the construction of Kellogg Community College’s new Miller Physical Education Building well under way on the College’s North Avenue campus, KCC is unveiling a new strategic vision for the College’s Athletics Department, including plans for the addition of five new sports teams and potential for new associate degree programs.
KCC will add men’s and women’s cross-country teams in 2018-19, a women’s soccer team in 2019-20 and men’s and women’s bowling teams in 2020-21. These teams will expand on the College’s current offerings of baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. As part of the plan, KCC’s women’s softball team will be retired at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.
Additionally, the College is exploring the potential for creating new associate degree programs in sports management and exercise science, which would provide students with advantages when they enter bachelor’s degree programs at the university level and pursue related careers.
“There is a lot of energy around KCC Athletics right now and we are using this occasion to think strategically,” KCC Athletic Director Tom Shaw said. “We want to offer sports that are robust in this region and that will provide local high school athletes with viable opportunities to compete at the college level while receiving an excellent education at KCC.”
The new strategic plan for KCC’s Athletics programming coincides with the construction of the College’s new and improved Miller Building, which will house KCC’s growing Athletics and Physical Education programs. When complete in 2018, the new, more versatile Miller Building – which will replace the old Miller Building at the same location – will have dedicated space for the College’s physical education curriculum, a bigger weight and workout room, a bigger gymnasium, dedicated space for KCC Police Academy fitness training, more efficient heating and cooling systems and other modern amenities. The building also will host home games for KCC basketball and volleyball teams.
Construction on the estimated $10 million project began early this year and is funded with revenue from a capital millage approved by voters in 2012.
“Our instructors, students, athletes, coaches and community members enjoyed much success in the old facility, and we’re expecting that tradition of excellence to continue when the new Miller Building opens in 2018,” KCC President Mark O’Connell said. “We are extremely grateful for the taxpayers and our community partners who have supported the College over the years and helped us keep our campus beautiful and high-functioning.”
For the duration of the Miller Building construction period, employees and students associated with KCC athletic teams and physical education courses have been temporarily relocated. During the 2017-18 season, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball home games will be played at the Battle Creek Central Fieldhouse, 162 Champion St., Battle Creek. Physical education classes are being held at the Battle Creek Family YMCA Multi-Sports Center, 182 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek. KCC’s softball and baseball teams will continue to play their home games at Bailey Park, 1392 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, as they have for many years.
For more information or to inquire about coaching and playing opportunities within KCC Athletics, contact Athletic Director Tom Shaw at shawt@kellogg.edu or 269-565-7967.
Pictured above, representatives from KCC and the Miller Foundation break ground at the construction site of the new Miller Physical Education Building on the college’s North Avenue campus in Battle Creek in May. Click here to view high-resolution concept images of what KCC’s new Miller Physical Education Building could look like once complete.
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