BEATRICE – An ambitious plan to more than double the number of athletic programs could put a Nebraska community college well ahead of its peers in terms of competitive offerings.


Southeast Community College Board members heard about plans over the next two years to add several sports during a meeting at the Beatrice campus. SCC Vice President of Student Success and Beatrice Campus Director Brett Bright says the plan would also mean moving the home location of some sports.


"We're looking at new sports for Beatrice Campus such as men's and women's wrestling, women's golf, men's and women's rodeo...and looking at, of course, always improving our facilities here. We're looking at moving volleyball from here, over to our Milford Campus...and then at our Lincoln Campus, we'll have men's and women's basketball, men's and women's track, cross country and possibly men's and women's tennis, as well. We're excited about going from 10 sports to 24 sports and increasing our student-athlete participation from 160, to close to 400."


The goal would be not only to offer more competition options, but also grow enrollment. Bright says the target is to accomplish the sports additions in the next two years…with a large part of the transition in 2023.  Bright says the college has good facilities, but could make additions, as well.


"We're already looking at facility improvement at our Lincoln Campus. We're just renovating the area around the gymnasium so we're looking to add locker rooms and things of that nature, on that campus. Basically, the facilities we already have in Beatrice and Milford will take care of what facilities we need for start-up. Of course, we'll always do some renovations in locker rooms and things like that, because different athletics need different types of accommodations. The facilities we have right now will basically be able to house what athletics we have, other than tennis and track... in which we'll have to go and outsource some type of facility there."


College officials anticipate making the changes without major additional costs, primarily because the sports being added are low-cost additions from an equipment standpoint…….unlike football….which is not on the list.


Bright said a benefit is to provide a “full campus experience” where students are living on campus, participating in athletics. In recent years, SCC has added a new residence hall and dining hall on the Beatrice Campus….has added two new residence halls at its Milford Campus, and recently broke ground on a new residentce hall on the Lincoln Campus.


"Whenever we're bringing in students, that doesn't account for the number of friends they bring with them....high school roommates...friends, family....and also brings in new people and new excitement to each one of the campuses."


Bright says the school is also adding E-sports on all campus sites and competitive trap shooting.  Another long-range goal is to build baseball and softball facilities at the Beatrice Campus…part of the future master plan of the college. Baseball and softball programs have been based at the SCC Beatrice Campus.