JANESVILLE —  Students at UW-Whitewater at Rock County will soon be able to participate in competitive athletics as they move along their educational journey. The National Junior College Athletic Association has accepted the campus as its newest member. Rock County intends to field teams starting in the 2024-25 academic year, and its student-athletes will be eligible for postseason play starting in 2025-26. 

“We are thrilled to be bringing intercollegiate athletics back to UW-Whitewater at Rock County,” said Tricia Clasen, dean and assistant vice chancellor. “Participation in athletics is a valuable college experience for so many students and offers the whole community opportunities to get involved in college sports. We can’t wait to cheer on our student-athletes!” 

Founded in 1938, the NJCAA is the governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed and achieve in their academic and athletic disciplines. It is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with more than 500 member schools in 44 states. UW-Whitewater at Rock county is assigned to Region 4, which includes schools in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

“We are excited to welcome UW-Whitewater at Rock County to the NJCAA family,” said Christopher J. Parker, NJCAA president and CEO. “NJCAA believes that college athletics are an important part of college experience, and we couldn’t be more pleased that URock students will now be able to take part in our competitions.” 

Initially, the Rock County campus plans to join NJCAA in the following sports: men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s bowling. The campus is in the process of identifying coaches to lead the teams, and more information will be shared with students once the teams are ready to welcome players.