Kirtland Community College

Sports News Release

10775 N. St. Helen Road, Roscommon, MI 48653 (989) 275-5000     kirtland.edu
For Release: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005 Office: Public Relations 
Contact: Irene Borak, (989) 275-5000 Ext. 242

Kirtland announces new athletic director, fifth sport

ROSCOMMON – Kirtland Community College President Charles Rorie announces that Steve Oppy of Roscommon has been named to the post of college athletic director. He will oversee the athletic program as it enters its sixth season as a member of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Oppy has been employed by the college for 23 years, serving as a counselor/advisor. He has supported the athletic program since its inception and has been chairman of the Student Athletic Advisory Board for many years. He is a fixture at the home basketball games as well, and can usually be found at courtside, keeping game stats or helping where needed.
 

“I’m excited to be given this opportunity,” Oppy said. “We have a wonderful core of people here who are dedicated to athletics and I look forward to working with them to make ours a first-class program.”

The position of athletic director was formerly combined with the position of the men’s basketball coach, held by Glen Donahue. As the program grows, however, it becomes more complex and more likely to face issues.

Oppy enters the position at a time when the program is confronting several challenges. The MCCAA recently ruled that Kirtland’s athletic program will be on probationary status this season. This means the Firebirds may participate in MCCAA contests during the regular season, but not during the post season, and season results will not be counted in the conference standings. The Firebirds will, however, be eligible to participate in the NJCAA post-season tournament.

The probation was instated because two of the college’s teams, namely its golf and cross country teams, did not participate in the minimum number of competitions during their seasons, as outlined by the association.

“This was unfortunate,” Oppy said. “One of the main goals I have this year is to get Kirtland off probation. In addition, we have to field a fifth sport this year, or face a second year of probation. We can’t have that.”

In order to become a member of the MCCAA, a college must agree that it will develop its athletic program by a specific schedule. The program must begin with three sports – Kirtland chose men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s golf – then add at least one sport every two years until it fields a minimum of five.

Kirtland added a women’s cross country team and had to add its fifth sport by Aug. 1.

The college recently made the decision to add men’s cross country as its fifth sport and is now actively recruiting for all its teams.

“It’s a challenge,” Oppy said. “The variety of teams we’re offering this year may not be what we offer next year. We’re trying to find out what the best fit for KCC is and to make sure it is aligned to our mission and vision for the college.”