27 Jan 2021 National Park College adds soccer for fall 2021
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) announced the addition of National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) soccer to its sports lineup on Jan. 13. The College is actively seeking a full-time head coach for men’s and women’s teams which will begin in August 2021.
NPC Athletic Director Jason Hudnell talked about the enthusiasm soccer brings to campus. “Soccer has been on our radar for some time now and we are very excited to be able to bring collegiate level soccer to Hot Springs. Garland County and the surrounding area has proven to be a great soccer community, with high caliber student-athletes. This program will provide the opportunity for many students from our county and region the chance to play college soccer while earning a degree from NPC,” he said.
Nighthawk Soccer will host home matches at Hot Springs High School. “We continue to build upon our relationship with Hot Springs High School and we are very grateful for the opportunity to use their facilities,” Hudnell added.
Lakeside High School assistant soccer coach and past president for the Hot Springs Soccer Association, Ben Pettigrew said, “There has always been a large soccer presence in our community with the local clubs and strong high school programs. I feel like we have really seen a rise in the popularity of the sport over the last five years. Being a high school and club coach, I think there are a lot of young men and women that will benefit from this program who wouldn’t have had the opportunity otherwise. I can’t wait to watch and support the program as it becomes an established part of our community.”
The NPC president believes that athletics are part of the overall mission of student success. “Our students asked for more opportunities to participate in team sports and we are delivering on that,” John Hogan said. “Over the past three years, we have watched as our student-athletes have excelled on the court and academically in the classroom.”
Student-athletes interested in learning more about the teams can contact Hudnell at [email protected] or 501-760-4374. Information about the coaching position will be posted at np.edu/jobs.
National Park College was established in 1973 and is located in Hot Springs, Ark. The College enrolls over 7,500 credit and non-credit students per year. NPC is a comprehensive two-year institution offering associate degrees and certificates, as well as continuing education, community services and workforce training.
Submitted by Mark Oliver, Sports Information for NPC
