Beginning in fall 2013, TCC will join the NJCAA, an association of community and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. Women’s basketball coach Lamonica Filer signed four student-athletes for 2013-14; additional student-athletes are expected to sign for men’s basketball and men’s soccer, the other sports TCC offers.

“The move to the NJCAA gives our athletic programs credibility, provides our students with increased exposure and publicity and the opportunity to play in regional and national championships,” said Alice MacAdory, TCC’s vice president for student success and enrollment management. “The move to the NJCAA will increase the possibility that our athletes will be recognized for their skills and recruited by four-year institutions.”

Chesapeake’s Caitlyn Douglas (Hickory High School) and Alexis Veasley (Indian River High School) and Hampton’s Brittany Townes (Kecoughtan High School) and Virginia Beach’s Tekaylah Norman (Green Run High School) inked letters in front of family, friends and coaches at the Chesapeake Campus on Saturday.

“I feel like this is a great opportunity for me to stay close to my family and improve my ballhandling skills,” said Townes, who plans to major in biology.

“It’s exciting to know we’re the first class,” said Veasley, who wants a career in sports management.

Norman is planning a future in social work, and Douglas is seeking her general studies degree prior to transferring to a four-year school.

Filer is a community college graduate who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Norfolk State University, where she also played for two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship teams under retired coach James Sweat.

“There is no better time than now for Tidewater Community College to make the transition from club basketball to junior college basketball,” Filer said. “This transition is good for the entire Hampton Roads community.”

TCC will be in Region X, the Carolinas Junior College Conference, of the NJCAA. TCC women’s basketball has won six Virginia Community College System club championships, including the last two. TCC men’s soccer has won one VCCS club title.