Wallace State Community College Receives NJCAA Foundation Grant
May 10, 2024
Hanceville, AL — The NJCAA, in collaboration with NFL FLAG and Reigning Champs Experiences
(RCX Sports), has awarded Wallace State Community College a $10,000 grant through
the NJCAA Foundation to support the development of women's flag football.
The Alabama Community College Conference plans to introduce women’s flag football
as a new sporting opportunity, and Wallace State plans to be among the first colleges to offer it once they do.
"Wallace State has a winning tradition in athletics and has always been a leader supporting
sports in the Alabama Community College Conference. Of its 12 competitive sports,
Wallace State has won six conference championships already this year," said Wallace
State President Vicki Karolewics. Two additional teams are still competing in postseason
play at the time of this press release.
The rise in popularity of women's flag football in Alabama has seen several community
colleges include it as an intramural option, mirroring its availability in many high
schools. Research indicates that involvement in sports enhances student engagement,
regardless of skill level, promotes physical fitness and cognitive agility, fosters
leadership and enhances team-based communication skills.
RCX Sports collaborates with professional leagues, national governing bodies, and
sports-focused businesses to enhance youth sports experiences, while Reigning Champs
Experiences partners with world-class organizations like the NFL, Jr. NBA, NAIA, Rivals.com, and the 2022 World Games. RCX Sports serves as the official operator of NFL FLAG.
NFL FLAG oversees more than 1,600 locally operated leagues, engaging over 500,000
youth athletes nationwide. This non-contact sports program, open to girls and boys
aged 5 to 17, promotes physical activity, teaches football fundamentals, and imparts
lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship.
"The NJCAA Foundation is excited for the continued growth of women’s flag football
at the two-year level. Through this partnership with NFL Flag and Reigning Champs
Experiences, we are able to provide more resources and opportunities for student-athletes
wanting to participate in women’s flag," said Brian Luckett, NJCAA Foundation Executive
Director. "The NJCAA Women’s Flag Football Grant assists NJCAA member colleges in
starting flag football programs while expanding sport opportunities at the two-year
level.”
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About Wallace State
Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College
System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more
than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an
associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and
adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally-recognized by the
Aspen Institute among the top 20 institutions in the U.S. according to student outcomes,
ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South
for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for
Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College
in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State
is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes
are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start
dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres
in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online
at
www.wallacestate.edu, or call
256.352.8000.
About NJCAA Foundation
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.
ABOUT RCX SPORTS
RCX Sports is the premier youth-sports experiences business, running and operating
leagues, camps, combines, tournaments and events.
RCX works with professional leagues, national governing bodies, sports-centric businesses
and brands to reimagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class
partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games.
RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by enhancing
the youth sports experience and creating opportunities for all athletes to play. We
believe sports have the power to transform lives and that every athlete should have
the opportunity to experience the value of sports. For more information, visit www.rcxsports.com.
ABOUT NFL FLAG
NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 1,600 locally operated leagues and
over 500,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible
non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being
physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals
of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official
operator of NFL FLAG.