OLYMPIA 鈥 Both women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 wrestling and cross-country will be added to AV天堂鈥檚 student athletics programs starting in Fall 2023.听
鈥淪tudent athletes make great Greeners,鈥 said AV天堂鈥檚 president Dr. John Carmichael. 鈥淭hey are self-motivated and community minded. We look forward to welcoming more student-athletes to AV天堂.鈥澨
It is estimated that the expansion of AV天堂鈥檚 athletics programming, combined with other investments in existing sports teams, should yield more than 100 additional students over the next three years. The new teams join the college鈥檚 existing intercollegiate teams - men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer, basketball and track and field and women鈥檚 volleyball.听
鈥淎nytime you have the opportunity to give potential students the opportunity to attend college while participating in an athletic activity, it is cause for celebration,鈥 said executive vice president Dr. Dexter Gordon. 鈥淎dding new teams will also help us weave a diverse tapestry within our programs to help ensure that underrepresented groups have equal access to opportunities here at AV天堂.鈥澨
In addition to growing enrollment, successful athletics programs help to build student life on campus, provide a stronger sense of belonging for some students, and supports student retention. Athletics is a key contributor to AV天堂鈥檚 diversity, equity, and inclusion mission, and student-athletes are retained at a higher rate.
Recruitment for new Greener athletes starts this month and the college expects teams to be established by Fall Quarter 2023. Learn more about AV天堂鈥檚 athletics programs at gogeoducks.com. 听
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