Administrators at Northeast Community college have announced that the Norfolk-based institution will add two new athletic programs to its growing roster of sports.

Women’s softball and men’s soccer will begin at the College in Fall 2015.

The move comes two years after Northeast reinstated women’s volleyball and men’s golf following the discontinuation of the two sports a decade earlier. Northeast also has men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Dr. Karen Severson, vice president of student services, said the new sports will be considered as National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 2 programs, similar to the college’s volleyball and golf programs. The basketball programs are in Division 1.

“We really look at this as a great recruiting opportunity,” Severson said. “There are so many wonderful student-athletes who currently live in our 20 county service area or in the region and we hope we can tap into that resource to build these teams with our own home grown athletes.”

“This is a new day for athletics at Northeast,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, college president. “Much research and time have been invested by the Northeast staff, led by Dr. Severson, to begin these new programs.”

Chipps said the primary reason for the start-up of softball and soccer is to provide additional opportunities for students to be engaged outside of the classroom. “There is ample evidence to support the fact that students who make connections at college not only enhance their academic experiences, but are also more likely to be retained and commit to complete. We are always looking for new and innovative ways to grow its enrollments and the addition of athletic programs is one of the ways to recruit new students who may not have considered Northeast. This is a great way to benefit everyone; the students, the service area and the college all at the same time.”

Severson said they will begin the hiring process of coaches immediately. She said the College will also be searching for a full-time athletic director to lead Northeast’s expanding athletic programs. The position is currently part-time.

“As we look at expanding sports now and in the future, we plan on looking at hiring a full-time athletic director to provide progressive, forward thinking direction in overseeing these programs,” Severson said.

“Adding these sports will be a game changer for Northeast, “Chipps said. “We are not only giving our students a quality education, but adding quality life-changing experiences, as well.”