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Growth Is 'Goal' For Metro Soccer Programs

A member of the Rose State College Raiders women's soccer team goes in for the kick.
Kenneth Beachler
/
Rose State College
A member of the Rose State College Raiders women's soccer team goes in for the kick.

Rose State College recently established both men’s and women’s soccer teams, hoping to kick off new interest in their college.

Called the “Raiders,” named for daring, barn-storming World War II bomber pilots; the teams compete in Division I, Region II of the National Junior College Athletic Association. But they also hope to garner interest in the college in the hearts and minds of would-be students and their parents.

The Journal Record's Brian Brus reports enrollment is up at the college since announcement of the program earlier this year.

Athletic director Joey DaVault said the new soccer field is ready and the home game will feature prize giveaways and ice cream. “With the addition of soccer to intercollegiate baseball and softball, Rose State College is demonstrating its commitment to offering a breadth of athletic experiences for community college students,” DaVault said in a prepared statement. “We welcome the community and soccer fans everywhere to come out and join us.”

However, Rose State’s program isn’t the only game in town. Recent developments in Yukon are spurring construction there of a new stadium, part of a larger economic development. Also, a soccer program at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School has packed its arena past capacity.

“Soccer is very popular right now and is doing well in the whole metro area," Journal Record Managing Editor Adam Brooks said. “There are a lot of people who think soccer is the key to growth right now.”

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The Business Intelligence Report is a collaborative news project between KGOU and the Journal Record.

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