NORTHEAST ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND ON NEW SOFTBALL FACILITY

By Cinthia Rico
Northeast Alabama Community College held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for its new $7.8 state-of-the-art women’s softball facility.

“This is such a happy occasion for us here at Northeast,” said the President of Northeast Alabama Community College Dr. David Campbell. “In the area, we have some outstanding players at the K-12 level, and the formation of this team is creating quite a bit of excitement,”

Located by NACC’s walking and nature trail, the new stadium will have artificial turf in the infield and outfield and be lit to enable for late-afternoon and evening games. On-site amenities will also include locker facilities and a training facility.

The project contractor is Sports Turf, and Architecture services are being provided by McKee & Associates of Montgomery, Alabama. McKee & Associates have designed stadiums for other schools, including Auburn University, Troy University, and Jacksonville State University.

President Campbell said he looks forward to DeKalb and Jackson counties school systems furnishing a lot of top-notch softball players for NACC’s new program.

“They already have, Joe has signed or committed four or five players so far,” he added.

Campbell took the opportunity to thank their many supporters, including Senator Steve Livingston and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, who provided support and input on the softball field project.

“He’s very supportive of the project and suggested that we make it a state-of-the-art facility so we’re able to have tournaments here and have high schools play here and make it something that the public will enjoy using,” he stated.

When Dr. Campbell spoke to him about the softball program, Ledbetter said he thought the initiative was one of the best things that Northeast could do in the region since it is a hotbed for girls’ softball in all divisions.

“We had state championships that came within a 50-mile radius of here – There’s no question that coach can fill the team pretty quick,” he added.

NACC said the college is very excited to bring women’s college softball into their school and plans for the softball team to compete in the fall of 2024.

“Those of you who know Dr. Campbell will know he likes to win, and this facility will help build a winning tradition in softball,” remarked ACCS Board of Trustees Member Dus Rogers.

Joe Guthrie, the head coach of the NACC’s women’s softball team and a former head coach at UAB and assistant at Texas A&M, mentioned he was one of the rare individuals to have been blessed to start not just one program but now two.

“I can tell you it’s probably been the most rewarding professional experience I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m a core values guy. I believe in integrity, discipline, and gratitude. That’s how we run our program and as Dr. Campbell had mentioned earlier, we’ve been really fortunate.

To all the coaches, administrators, and recruits that are in the audience, I really appreciate you guys coming.”

Regarding recruitment, Guthrie said they are enthusiastic about the program’s future.

“We’re obviously hitting local first and expanding further out from there,” he went on to say. “I see myself as a custodian of the program. I hope to hold the keys for a long time, but what a great place to start that building again. I appreciate everything.”

Guthrie also took the opportunity to acknowledge Jacksonville State University Head Softball Coach Jana McGinnis for her support and attendance.

For additional information, visit Northeast Alabama Community College at nacc.edu.