Category: Athletics

SC4 announces 2023 summer camps

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will host a variety of athletics and STEM-based camps this summer.

Camp offerings include:

  • Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp for learners in grades 3-8
  • Basketball Camp for learners in grades 5-12
  • Basketball Shooting Camp for learners in grades 5-12
  • Cross Country Camp for learners in grades 5-12 
  • Esports Camp for learners in grades 5-12
  • Soccer Camp for learners in grades 5-12
  • Softball Camp for learners in grades 5-12
  • Volleyball Camp – Advanced for learners in grades 8-12
  • Volleyball Camp – Beginners for learners in grades 4-7
  • Volleyball Camp – Defensive Specialist for learners in grades 7-12
  • Volleyball Camp – Hitters and Setters for learners in grades 7-12
  • Wrestling One-Day Clinic for learners in grades 5-12 
  • Additional camps may be offered!

The Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp will incorporate hands-on science and nature fun. Campers will engage in experiments, nature exploration, immersive space simulations in the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 and more.  

All athletic camps take place in the SC4 Fieldhouse, except for softball at Marysville Park, soccer at Morton Park in Marysville and the Esports in SC4’s Fine Arts Building. Camps are led by SC4 coaches and student-athletes.  

“These camps provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from collegiate coaches, athletes and experts,” said SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos. “We expect these camps to fill fast and look forward to welcoming youths to camp this summer.” 

For more information regarding dates, times and to register, visit sc4.edu/camps. Email experiencecenter@sc4.edu with questions related to the STEM camp. Send questions regarding the athletics camps to athletics@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5662.

Alumni Spotlight: JD Wheeler

Current or most recent title and employer?
Athletic Director – Hartland High School

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 was a major building block in my development as a student and an athlete. Coming from a small town in the thumb of Michigan, the environment that SC4 provided was perfect for me. I grew up a lot during my two years in Port Huron. The life skills learned made my transition to Central Michigan University very easy. SC4 was the “first step” that I needed to propel me into a successful future.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I enjoy working with student-athletes and young coaches. I love setting them up to reach the goals that they have set for themselves and their teams. Interscholastic Athletics are a very unique avenue for students to learn a lot about life. I enjoy providing an environment for them to do that while also having a great time with their teammates and coaches.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Yes. Central Michigan University (K-12 physical education) and a master’s degree from Oakland University.

SC4 to host top 16 in nation, trailblazing athletes and New York Times best-selling author

>>> Register for the panel
>>> Buy tickets to the NJCAA Tournament at SC4

St. Clair County Community College will pay tribute to trailblazing women athletes and present-day game-changers during Women’s History Month as it hosts the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship March 21-25.

The championship tournament will bring 16 of the best teams in the nation—from Arizona to New York—to the Blue Water Area to compete for a national title at the SC4 Fieldhouse.

To kick off the week, SC4 also will host a panel discussion with New York Times best-selling author Andrew Maraniss at noon on Tuesday, March 21, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre. The discussion will highlight his latest book, “Inaugural Ballers,” an inspirational true story of the first U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball team and their unlikely rise to the top.

Present for the panel discussion will be Juliene Brazinski Simpson, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member and Team USA co-captain, and Carolyn Bush Roddy, a two-time NJCAA All-American, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member and Team USA member prior to the Olympics.

“I’m thrilled to return to SC4 for the NJCAA championships along with two legendary figures in the history of women’s basketball,” Maraniss said. “I know this will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for members of the championship teams to gain inspiration from Juliene Simpson and Carolyn Bush Roddy, and a chance for Juliene and Carolyn to engage with a new generation of student-athletes. For me as an author, I’m grateful to share the story of the first U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team and talk about the challenges those women overcame. Every generation works for progress and passes the baton to the next. What a great thing SC4 is doing to help speed that exchange along.”

Brazinski Simpson and Bush Roddy also will help open the tournament with a ceremonial tip-off before the first game. 

“It is an honor to be invited to the NJCAA Championship,” Brazinski Simpson said. “I am excited to watch what is certain to be an amazing and competitive tournament. As a former junior college coach, I look forward to meeting the players and coaches and sharing my story. As an Olympic athlete, I look forward to sharing the message that if you Dream, Plan, Work and Believe, all things are possible both on and off the court. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, I look forward to sharing my experience as a female athlete competing in the 60s and 70s.”

“I am both thrilled and so excited to have been invited to be a part of the NJCAA Championship Tournament at St. Clair County Community College,” said Bush Roddy. “How great is this opportunity to be able to share some of my experiences as a player at the junior college level, championship team level, as well as a professional level. It is a privilege and honor to take part in witnessing a new generation of female student athletes display their extraordinary talents and commitment to women’s basketball.”

Added Dale Vos, SC4 director of athletics, “This is a great opportunity for visitors to see some incredible basketball, meet a New York Times best-selling author and hear from trailblazing women athletes about their experiences helping to pave the way for women in sports. We look forward to another very successful tournament week and to again crowning a National Champion at the SC4 Fieldhouse.”

SC4 hosted the Championship last year, which saw the Kirkwood Community College Eagles from Iowa capture its eighth NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship title.

“The NJCAA is very excited to return to SC4 for the Division II Women’s Basketball Championship,” said Dr. Christopher J. Parker, NJCAA executive director. “We know SC4 provides the highest quality tournament for all participating student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.”

The event also makes a substantial positive impact to the local community, bringing in approximately $250,000 each year. “This is a big deal to host 16 teams and their fans in St. Clair County for a week in March,” said Marci Fogal, president of the Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are excited to partner again with SC4 and the NJCAA to host this great event. As the spring weather arrives, it will be wonderful to have people here from throughout the U.S. enjoying our downtown and beautiful waterfront.”

The panel discussion is free and open to the public, though registration is requested. A complete tournament game schedule will be available on the NJCAA website at njcaa.org/championships/sports/wbkb/div2. The double–elimination tourney begins at the SC4 Fieldhouse on Tuesday, March 21. The championship game will be held on Saturday, March 25. Visit sc4skippers.com/fanzone/ticketing for tickets.

Select photos shown from Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

SC4 winter athletics camps available

On the heels of a sold-out pitching clinic with MLB pitcher and former SC4 alumnus Paul Fry, St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is offering three additional camps in volleyball, softball and baseball this winter.

“These camps provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from collegiate coaches, athletes and experts,” said SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos. “We expect these camps to fill fast and look forward to helping young athletes learn new skills this winter to improve their future success.”

All athletic camps take place in the SC4 Fieldhouse.

Volleyball Camp (Two-day camp)
For learners in grades 4-12
Feb. 3 and 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
Price: $100
Deadline: Feb. 2 at 4 p.m.

Softball Camp (One-day camp)
For learners in grades 6-12
Feb. 5, noon to 3 p.m.
Price: $65
Deadline: Feb. 4 at 4 p.m.

Baseball Camp (Two-day camp)
For learners in grades 3-12
Feb. 19 and 26, noon to 3 p.m.
Price: $100
Deadline: Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.

Limited space is available for each of the camps. For more information and to register, visit sc4.edu/camps. Email athletics@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5662 with questions.