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Co-Lin announces strategic plan, capital campaign in support of athletics
WESSON – Copiah-Lincoln Community College Athletics has announced the first strategic plan in its history, a comprehensive, three-year set of goals that seek to advance the program by fostering student-athlete formation, strengthening competitive excellence, increasing external engagement, and enhancing facilities.
The strategic plan will be supported by a $5.2 million capital campaign – also the first in program history – called Back The Pack: The Campaign for Co-Lin Athletic Facilities.
Co-Lin President Dr. Jane G. Hulon announced the plan on November 1, at the monthly meeting of the Co-Lin Board of Trustees.
“The time is now,” said Dr. Hulon. “If we want to take Co-Lin Athletics to even greater heights, then we need to build on the success of our programs and get the buy-in of our alumni, parents, former athletes, and corporate partners to support our efforts.
“We can’t succeed by resting on our laurels,” said Dr. Hulon. “We need to consistently look for ways to make Co-Lin more attractive to student-athletes, coaches and fans so we can achieve competitive excellence. That includes building and renovating facilities and providing the support services needed to make the student-athlete experience as successful as possible both in and out of the classroom.”
The strategic plan calls for enhancing facilities at H.L. “Hook” Stone Stadium to address the needs of Co-Lin’s football program; renovating Graydon Mullen Gymnasium for men’s and women’s basketball programs; adding additional space for player development for baseball at Sullivan Field and softball at Lady Wolves Field; and relocating and renovating the tennis courts to one centralized location.
“All of this will involve major fundraising, and we plan to be more aggressive than ever before to address these important needs through the Back The Pack campaign,” said Dr. Hulon.
Lastly, the plan aims to increase external engagement among fans by enhancing the game-day experience for all athletic events; increasing the promotion of the Co-Lin Athletics through social media; and creating new, innovative platforms to promote the Co-Lin Athletics brand.
“We want our fans and our players, as well as our band and cheerleaders, to compete in an exciting environment,” said Dr. Hulon. “We want our student-athletes to have every opportunity to succeed. Academic success is vital to the student-athlete experience at Co-Lin, and our commitment to students both on the field and in the classroom will help expand their opportunities after graduation.”
Hulon said these four strategic priorities, compiled with an aggressive push for donations from alumni, parents, former athletes, corporate partners, and other members of the Co-Lin community, provide a clear vision for the future that will help ensure the success of Co-Lin Athletics.
“We plan to build on Co-Lin’s rich athletic tradition, which includes 58 MACJC State Championships, 24 NJCAA Region 23/District D Championships, and 15 NJCAA National Tournament/Bowl Appearances,” said Dr. Hulon.
“Back The Pack underscores the fact that to be a Co-Lin student-athlete, you must perform at the highest levels-athletically and academically. The Campaign calls on us to support these young people fully, whatever and whenever they compete, and as they prepare for life beyond Co-Lin. To do anything less would not be who we are.”
For information about the Back The Pack campaign contact Angela Furr, Interim Director of the Co-Lin Foundation at 601.643.8332.
