Anyone familiar with the game of football knows the expression, “First and 10.” Simply put (and there is nothing simple about football), the team in possession of the ball (aka the offense) now has a fresh set of four downs to advance the ball 10 yards. If they are successful, they get another First and 10, with the challenge to go another 10 yards. If the offensive team (in possession of the ball) fails to make the 10 yards, the ball goes to the opposing team, where they are awarded First and 10.

SCC is First and 10 with two programs this fall – Football and Women’s Volleyball. Starting a Women’s Volleyball team is quite a challenge as only one school in Salem County has a varsity volleyball team. However, just to the north of us and in Delaware, there are ample high school volleyball teams with female athletes looking to continue their sport while attending college. We are the answer for many of them. Coach Andrea Bartlett is busy recruiting this spring with the goal of putting a team on the court in September. Work is being quoted to ready the Dupont Field House for volleyball. This is an exciting opportunity for our female athletes.

Football is also drawing considerable enthusiasm. As of this writing we have more than 150 students interested in becoming Mighty Oak football players. Some are likely great prospects, some are likely non-prospects (thought it was a good idea but have rethought the challenge). We are literally and figuratively First and 10 with football. A practice site has been secured, the former Twins’ Field at the end of Del-a-view Avenue in the Carneys Point Recreation Complex. Now that we own the property, we can look to construct appropriate facilities to house our football, baseball, future soccer teams, and hopefully softball. Meanwhile, we will utilize temporary facilities on the grounds.

We often say “this is a great place to be and this is a great time to be here.” No greater examples can be offered than the growth of volleyball and football. Athletics are not the whole story behind Salem Community College, but a successful athletic program is indicative of institutional health. Your SCC is indeed healthy and growing.