Spoon River College has been selected to receive a $2,000 Sport Opportunity Grant from the NJCAA Foundation. The grant will assist in the development of the cross-country program, which will begin in the 2025 fall semester.
“We’re excited to announce and honored to receive a grant from the NJCAA Foundation that will help us to bring back cross-country,” said John Bassett, athletic director and head softball coach at Spoon River College. “The NJCAA continues to invest resources into schools to help with continued growth and expanded opportunities for student-athletes.”
“The NJCAA Foundation is excited to further support the growth of NJCAA member colleges and the sport programs they offer through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant,” said Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “The ability to provide this funding is a testament to the importance and growth of two-year collegiate athletics. The NJCAA Foundation looks forward to this initiative’s impact as NJCAA member colleges continue to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country.”
Chase Fisher, originally of Dixon, IL, will lead the new team. He brings coaching experience at both the high school and college level, and he credits his high school coach for inspiring him to pursue coaching. “I was lucky to be brought up through a program that was more of a family than a team, where everyone cared for each other, and those relationships last forever,” said Fisher, who a decade later still talks weekly with that coach. Fisher recently traveled to New York City for his USA Track and Field (USATF) certification, and has already recruited 15 incoming freshmen for the team.
“We are excited to bring back cross-country and to be adding track and the half marathon also, and excited that Coach Fisher will be leading it all,” Bassett said. “His experience will be an invaluable resource, and we look forward to a fun and competitive first season.”
Besides being a fun activity for students, studies have shown that student-athletes tend to perform better academically than their non-athlete peers due to the increased motivation and discipline they gain from participating in sports. Student-athletes are more likely to stay in school and graduate than those not participating in athletics.
Along with the new cross-country program, Spoon River College offers baseball, softball, both men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, bowling, and E-sports, and is a member of the NJCAA. Current and prospective students who are interested in the being part of the cross-country team can call or email Bassett at 309-649-6303, john.bassett@src.edu, or Fisher at chase.fisher@src.edu.
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois offering both transfer and career and workforce programs. With campuses and Community Outreach Offices in Canton and Macomb and Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville, Spoon River College serves students in a 1,566 square mile area including portions of Fulton, McDonough, Mason, Schuyler and Knox counties. Visit www.src.edu for more information.
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.