MCC Athletics Receives NJCAA Foundation Grants

MARSHALLTOWN – Marshalltown Community College Athletics is proud to announce being awarded two grants from the NJCAA Foundation for the 2026-2027 academic year. MCC has been awarded a $1,500 Sport Opportunity Grant for the Men's and Women's Bowling, alongside a $1,250 grant to support its highly successful Esports program.

The new Men's and Women's Bowling teams will hit the lanes for their inaugural season this Fall 2026. MCC is excited to build this program from the ground up, anchoring it with exceptional local expertise. Nathan Clark, the highly respected head coach of the Marshalltown High School bowling team, has been named MCC's head bowling coach. The college is also incredibly thankful for its strong local partnership with Wayward Social, which will serve as the home facility for the new teams.

Additionally, the $1,250 grant will bolster MCC's powerhouse Esports program heading into its fifth consecutive year competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE). Since its inception in 2022, MCC Esports has won nearly 30 championships across the Premier (D1), Contender (D2), and Open (D3) series formats. The program routinely fields teams in about 12 different gaming titles per season. Under the leadership of IVCCD Esports Director Dr. Andrew Goforth and Head Coach Nathan Rodemeyer—who both serve on the NJCAAE executive team—the fall season will run from September to December 2026, followed by the spring season from February to May 2027.

"We are incredibly grateful to the NJCAA Foundation for their generous support of our new addition of Men's and Women's Bowling and the continued success of our Esports program," said Whitney Sowers, MCC Athletic Director. "These grants will provide meaningful resources that will help us continue to grow opportunities for student-athletes while enhancing the overall student experience at our institution."

Collegiate athletics plays a vital role in higher education by providing students with opportunities to grow academically, personally, and athletically. Beyond competition, athletics helps students develop leadership, accountability, teamwork, time management, and resilience—skills that extend far beyond the playing field and into the classroom, workplace, and community.

At MCC, athletics serves as an important pathway for student success by creating access to higher education, fostering a sense of belonging, and helping students achieve their academic and career goals. Our programs provide students with opportunities to compete while receiving the support needed to thrive academically and personally. Community colleges play a unique role in making education accessible, and athletics often becomes a meaningful connection point that helps students persist and succeed.

The NJCAA continues to be an essential partner in advancing opportunities for student-athletes across the country. Through competition, leadership initiatives, and continued investment in student development, the NJCAA supports institutions in creating transformative experiences that positively impact students' lives.

"The NJCAA Foundation is excited to further support the growth of NJCAA member colleges and the sport programs they offer through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant," said Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. "The ability to provide this funding is a testament to the importance and growth of two-year collegiate athletics. The NJCAA Foundation looks forward to this initiative's impact as NJCAA member colleges continue to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country."