ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Umpqua Community College Board of Education has approved a request to add three new teams to the College’s Athletics Department.

The newly-approved sports include men’s baseball and men’s and women’s track and field.

The addition of the new sports comes one year after the College introduced wrestling, obstacle course racing, and cross country for both men’s and women’s competitions.

“This is step two in the College’s plan to increase more opportunities for Douglas County students who want to stay at home and go to college,” Craig Jackson, UCC’s Director of Athletics, said. “We also want to provide opportunities for athletes from other areas to be a part of our community.”

This is not the first time the College has offered both sports. Baseball was eliminated in the mid-80s; track and field was eliminated in the mid-90s.

“Bringing baseball back will really help our partnership with the community,” Jackson said. “We are in preliminary discussions to utilize the American Legion Field near Stewart Park in Roseburg.”

Next steps: Baseball

• A coach will be hired immediately to start recruiting players.
• The team will start competing in Fall 2019.
• The roster will accommodate 35 athletes.

Next steps: Track and Field

• The same coach will be used for the track and field and cross country teams.
• The teams will start competing in Fall 2018.
• The roster will accommodate 20 men and 20 women.
• The teams will practice locally, but will compete on the road for the first two years.

(Photo courtesy Umpqua Community College)

(posted 1/18/18)