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Virginia Peninsula Community College

The History of Sports at VPCC

A brief history of sports at Virginia Peninsula Community College

VPCC President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon (left) presents a signed game ball to Angela Jackson, who spent more than 40 years at the College as an athlete, coach, administrator and supporter. Athletics director and men's basketball coach Chris Moore looks on. The event was part of Gator Madness, which kicked off the 2023-24 basketball seasons.
VPCC President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon (left) presents a signed game ball to Angela Jackson, who spent more than 40 years at the College as an athlete, coach, administrator and supporter. Athletics director and men's basketball coach Chris Moore looks on. The event was part of Gator Madness, which kicked off the 2023-24 basketball seasons.
March 1, 2024

The purpose of VPCC's athletics department is to enhance community college life by increasing full-time enrollment, community engagement, and school spirit. The goal of the department is to provide student-athletes with a first-class junior college athletic experience.

The department teaches student-athletes skills both on and off the field/court in addition to bringing great value to the institution. Student-athletes came from all across the country, including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Maryland, to be a part of our athletic teams.

History of athletics at VPCC

Athletics at the College began in 1978 with men's basketball, falling under the Veteran Affairs office. Student Activities started overseeing athletics in 1980, when the College began competing against other VCCS institutions. Cheerleading began in 1980, women's basketball in 1982, and baseball in 2012. Women's volleyball was added for the 2022-23 academic year, and men's soccer, and track and field came on board for the 2023-24 year. Cross country's first season will be fall 2024.

Men's basketball has won 13 VCCS titles, and one New South Athletic Conference title. Women's basketball has won two VCCS titles. Baseball has had four NJCAA All-Americans since 2016.

 

Key numbers for FY23

  1. 74 fulltime student-athletes ($350,000 FTEs)
  2. 88 percent retention rate (average across the College is 66 percent)
  3. 17 athletes transitioned to play at four-year institutions following the 2022-23 academic year.
  4. Those 17 athletes were awarded more than $500,000 in scholarship money from their transfer institutions. The schools included VCU, Christopher Newport University, Mary Baldwin, Glenville State, Greensboro College, Regent University, Savannah State, Johnson & Wales (Charlotte), St. Vincent's College, Allen University, Ferrum College, and Methodist University.
  5. The athletics department has 17 volunteers and two work-study students.

Honors and awards for FY23

VPCC athletes or teams earned one NJCAA All-America award, two Region 10 NJCAA sportsmanship awards, the New South Athletic Conference Trailblazer award, and a New South Athletic Conference runner-up finish.

In addition, a Gator athlete was a Peninsula Sports Club honoree, and 14 athletes earned All-Academic honors by achieving a GPA of at least 3.0 for the academic year.