National News Archive

 May 19, 2012

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – Walters State has long been known for their successful athletic programs throughout the state of Tennessee, the Southeast region and the nation.

The five sports teams at the college – men and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and men’s golf – have established a winning atmosphere for the athletics department. Now they are getting some company.

Walters State Director of Athletics Dr. Foster Chason, in conjunction with WSCC president Dr. Wade McCamey, has announced that the school will become the first community college in Tennessee to offer a women’s volleyball program at an intercollegiate level.

According to Dr. Chason, the Student Government Association and Student Activities Committee unanimously voted to broaden the athletic and educational opportunities for women students by supporting the implementation of a women's volleyball team.

"From being a leader in technological mobility to award winning debate, music, and performing arts programs, recognized community service initiatives and nationally ranked athletic teams, Walters State is a leader among the community colleges in Tennessee and the Southeast in exploring and implementing ways to enhance the total educational experience for our students,” Chason said. “Recently our Student Government Association and our Student Activities Committee unanimously voted to broaden the athletic and educational opportunities for women by requesting the implementation of a women's volleyball team. The concept was readily endorsed by the college's administration, and approval to add women's volleyball was obtained from the Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor, John Morgan, last week. Walters State is proud to once again be at the forefront in providing quality student experiences by being the first community college in Tennessee to field an intercollegiate women's volleyball team.”

Former Walters State basketball standout and current women’s basketball assistant coach Jasmin Coleman will lead the Lady Senators program that will begin play this fall at the NJCAA Division III level.

“I’m excited and looking forward to leading Walters State’s first women’s volleyball team,” Coleman said. “Being a part of something starting from the ground up is thrilling to me. I’m also looking for the team to be competitive in our first season in the NJCAA.”

Given the high level of play at the high school level in East Tennessee, Chason said he feels the program will have no problems drawing players from the local programs to field a competitive team.

“Women's volleyball has a strong and rich tradition in East Tennessee and we hope to provide opportunities for women to continue their athletic and educational opportunities through this program,” Chason said. “We already had on staff a quality coach in Jasmin Coleman, who was also an exceptional volleyball player in her own right. Ms. Coleman has excellent rapport, and we feel will do an outstanding job in developing our program. Our initial intent is to compete at the NJCAA Division III level and hopefully grow the program to the level of our other nationally ranked teams."

McCamey expressed that the opportunity to provide more local high school students with an additional source of athletic competition has been met with overwhelming support in the community.

“Given the level of development of high school ladies volleyball in the Walters State service area and in consideration of providing additional opportunities for our students, we are very excited to be the first community college in Tennessee to initiate ladies volleyball at the collegiate level,” McCamey said. “The initial interest and feedback from the community has been overwhelming and very supportive.”

Coleman has announced that she is actively looking for players, managers and statisticians for the upcoming season. Anyone interested in playing, or being a manager or statistician should call Coleman at 843-543-3149 or email her at jasmin.coleman@ws.edu.