NEC Athletics is seeing an increase in student-athlete deposits, and staff are working through the summer to address facility improvements and additions.
Big things are happening for the athletics department over the summer months including the completion of the new athletic center.
“We always have tons of things we’d love to do. We’re obviously thrilled about the new space,” said NEC Athletic Director Dave Decew.
According to Decew, some of the major areas of focus include branding and finding a home for the wrestling team, turfing the new football field, and the addition of two new golf simulators coming to campus this summer.
Recruiting for the fall has been really positive, Decew said. In general, deposits are up for the school and there’s an increase in student-athletes coming in including possibly the biggest class for football and cheerleading bringing in an extra 10 deposits.
“Cheerleading will be a little different with a sideline team and a competition team, so it will be a little bit bigger,” Decew said.
Following the closure of Anna Maria College, coaches and staff recruited student-athletes that were looking to continue their education and eligibility at a nearby Division III school. Several prospective students will be coming in the fall, and NEC has done well in matching students’ financial needs, Decew said.
“It’s just a different landscape. This is a new normal with schools changing divisions, and schools might close. Saint Anslem moving down to Division III will be a three-year process for them and varies on the sport of what impact it will have,” Decew said.
While the athletic center opened to the NEC community in the spring, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Sept. 26 during the fall festival weekend.
