On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, Dr. Jason Hurst, president of Cleveland Community College, announced Dr. Chris Nanney will serve as the College's first athletic director.
"This is an exciting day in the life of our College," said Hurst.
In looking for the person to serve as the first athletic director, Hurst said he spent months thinking about who the right person would be. "I want someone who shares CCC's vision and values; who believes in the mission of this institution; a person who knows athletics is a student-first program. I'm looking for the person who knows that success of our students, both on and off the field remains our top priority. I believe we found that person in Dr. Chris Nanney."
Nanney has worked at the College for more than 25 years. Currently, he serves as the Dean of College and Career Readiness, the College's program to help people earn their high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate. He will continue to serve in that capacity as he takes on the additional responsibilities of athletic director.
"This has been a long time coming. . .," said Nanney. "I have wanted to have an athletic program here at CCC for more than 20 years. I also hoped that if we ever got athletics, I would be the athletic director, so this is a dream come true."
Nanney has a passion for sports. While working toward his doctorate degree, he wrote his dissertation on athletics and looking at the differences between colleges that offer sports, and colleges that do not, as it pertains to enrollment, marketing and fundraising.
In speaking of his excitement at being named to the position, and getting the program started, he had a message for students, staff, faculty and the community. "The athletic department cannot do this alone, we need all of you to help spread the word," said Nanney. "When a student or parent learns that we have a new opportunity here in Cleveland County it may open a door for that student to come here and compete."
The CCC Board of Trustees, at their March meeting, voted unanimously to begin athletics at CCC. After receiving approval, the College formally requested to join the National Junior College Athletic Association. As a member, CCC will be part of Region X and compete against teams from across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Submitted by Paula Vess