Submitted by South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is thrilled to welcome community members to experience and support the excitement of a new season of college sports. Attending games is one of several great ways to support student athletes and stay connected to the college community.
Enjoy a New Season of Clipper Athletics Sports
The 2023-2024 season of exciting athletic events has already begun and opens the door to many opportunities for the community to enjoy a variety of sports events at SPSCC! Sports range from women’s volleyball as well men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and the program’s newest addition, golf. Each game allows SPSCC’s Clipper Athletic Program to proudly showcase its talented student athletes at their best.
For example, to kick off a recent Clipper Women’s volleyball game against its rival from Pierce College, the SPSCC Foundation hosted a pre-game Women’s Volleyball Tailgate Party at the beautifully remodeled Health & Wellness Center. This lively celebration was sponsored by Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and featured uncommonly delicious hot dogs from Ay-Chihuahua Dawgs food truck, gourmet fudge brownies by SPSCC’s Baking & Pastry program students, plus lots of Clipper Athletics swag and a special welcome to graduates by the Alumni Association.
SPSCC Foundation’s Director of Development Christine Hoffmann shared, “Teaming up with Clipper Athletics and Student Life for this event and highlighting our talented athletes was a wonderful way to experience the collaborative nature of our campus. With over 150 people in attendance, the love and support from the local community was palpable.”
Sports events are great opportunities for alumni and community members to enjoy a fun, accessible, family-friendly event. It’s a fun way to celebrate school pride and find new ways to engage with the college.
Community Support Helps Clipper Athletics Programs and Student Athletes Grow
New faces at the Clipper Athletics Program add to the excitement this year as new coaches who have joined over recent years have enhanced its growth. For example, the addition of a men’s and women’s golf program will create more opportunities for students to participate. Under the leadership of Head Coach Russ Olsen, first-year program students will compete in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) starting in Fall 2023. With new sports offered the need to support student athletes will continue to grow.
Student athletes face many unique challenges in order to meet high standards for both academic and athletic excellence. In addition to the costs of tuition and living expenses most students incur, athletes must cover additional expenses, such as travel costs, to compete. Because classes, training, competition, and travel timetables are often extremely rigorous, student athletes face extra challenges when attempting to balance these demands with traditional 9-to-5 job schedules to pay for the additional costs.
Community support helps make it possible for student athletes to maintain balance and achieve their dreams. Donors and sponsors help provide a foundation for students to have the resources they need to successfully compete and complete their degrees. As Director of Athletics Vernell Willingham explained, “Community support plays a crucial role in helping student athletes overcome the unique challenges they face and successfully complete their studies. Predominately through scholarships that alleviate the financial strain of college costs, and by providing resources and assistance, we can ensure that athletes can focus on their education and athletics without being burdened by financial constraints.”
Getting to know more about SPSCC’s Clipper Athletic programs, attending games, and helping to spread the word about Clipper Athletics achievements are also powerful ways to help secure success for student athletes. Director Willingham elaborated, “As we look towards the future, our aspiration is to strengthen our community connections even further, forging pathways to mentorship, internships, and other invaluable resources for student-athletes throughout their academic journey and beyond. Together, we can create an environment where student athletes thrive academically and achieve their full potential.”
Visit the Clipper Athletics website and follow the SPSCC Clipper Athletics Facebook page to learn more about the programs including information about game schedules, tickets, and game statistics.
Team Up with Athletics Through Sponsorships
If you’re interested in becoming part of our growing network of Clipper Athletics sponsors, we offer a range of sponsorship opportunities. Whether you are an individual or a business, various options including logo and business name recognition are available to showcase your support. Our generous 2023-2024 Clipper Athletics season sponsors include America’s Credit Union, Olympia Physical Therapy, and Jacknut Apparel. We welcome local business owners and community members to join them.
To learn more about how you can support Clipper Athletics, please contact foundation@spscc.org.
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