St. Clair County Community College is strengthening its commitment to equality and leadership in sports through a newly launched SC4 Michigan Promoters of Women’s Equal Rights in Sports (SC4 MPOWERS) group and membership with WeCOACH, a national organization dedicated to the recruitment, advancement and retention of women coaches of all sports and levels.
“We know sports provide camaraderie and support, build resilience, develop leadership skills, and empower those involved in countless ways,” said SC4 President Dr. Deborah A. Snyder. “As a higher education institution highly involved in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) collegiate sports, SC4 has an obligation to do its part in providing women athletes and coaches more athletic and leadership opportunities. SC4 MPOWERS and WeCOACH membership are just two of the many ways we look forward to bringing about change, regionally and nationally.”
SC4 is the first community college in the nation to join the WeCOACH team, which rebranded from the Alliance of Women Coaches to WeCOACH in August 2018, as an institutional group member. WeCOACH provides members with education and career development, a community of like-minded professionals, and an advocate and respected voice. There are currently 85 member institutions from coast to coast including colleges such as Florida State University, Stanford and Notre Dame.
SC4 MPOWERS will be co-led by Nancy Winzer, former SC4 softball player and current City of Port Huron recreation director, and Celina Grondin, SC4’s new women’s golf coach, director of institutional research and former Lake Superior State University tennis and track athlete. It was designed by the college to support and advocate for women coaches and athletes. While in its early stages, the group will officially be formed this fall.
SC4 currently offers collegiate sports opportunities to women in cross country, basketball, bowling, softball and volleyball. In addition, the college recently added golf to provide more women the chance to continue playing at the collegiate level. The college is continuously looking at ways to provide additional opportunities for aspiring female athletes and coaches.
“It’s important that young girls and women see more examples of females leading in sports and in their careers,” Dr. Snyder said. “We’re beginning to see more coverage of women’s sports, like the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, but we need to do much more. Colleges and universities, working closely with their respective urban and rural communities, can take a lead role and do more to illustrate what’s possible for young women.”
Those interested in learning more about SC4 MPOWERS can contact Grondin at cgrondin@sc4.edu.
