ACCC Receives $300,000 for Women’s Track and Field Program

The Alabama Community College System has secured a $300,000 grant from the Alabama Education Trust Fund for the establishment and enhancement of a women’s track and field program. This award is a significant boost for women’s sports at ACCC.

State legislator Chris Blackshire (R-Phenix City) advocated for this funding as part of a broader budget proposal. “The Alabama Community College Conference appreciates Rep. Blackshire and the state legislature for prioritizing women’s track and field alongside traditional sports like football,” stated ACCC Chair Dean Myrick.

Myrick expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing growth of women’s track and field, highlighting the additional opportunities it creates within the conference.

Starting in September, ACCC will feature women’s sports including basketball, softball, soccer, cross-country, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and flag football.

Blackshire pointed out that, while Alabama’s community colleges are known for effective workforce development, they also host some of the state’s premier athletic programs. He noted the rising popularity of flag football, especially with its inclusion in the Olympics and the NFL Pro Bowl, and its positive influence on women’s track and field in his hometown.

Izell Reese, a Dothan native and executive director of NFL Flag, remarked on the rapid expansion of women’s flag football. “It’s the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.,” he stated. “For years, there were limited opportunities for women to continue playing after high school. Now, community colleges are offering these essential pathways.”

For additional details about ACCC, please visit https://www.acccathletics.com/Landing/Index.