LOCH SHELDRAKE- The National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) has awarded a $2,000 NJCAA Opportunity Grant to SUNY Sullivan’s athletics program. This competitive grant will directly support the development of the College’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs beginning in Fall of 2025, helping to expand athletic offerings and increase student participation in collegiate sports.

The NJCAA Opportunity Grant aims to enhance equity and access in two-year college athletics by providing financial support to programs that are building or expanding sports opportunities for student-athletes. Its initiatives include funding scholarships, supporting program development, and promoting equity and access in collegiate athletics. The grant will assist SUNY Sullivan with essential resources needed to launch and sustain the soccer teams.

“The NJCAA Foundation is excited to further support the growth of NJCAA member colleges and the sport programs they offer through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant,” said Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “The ability to provide this funding is a testament to the importance and growth of two-year collegiate athletics. The NJCAA Foundation looks forward to this initiative’s impact as NJCAA member colleges continue to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country.”

Collegiate athletics play a vital role in higher education by promoting student engagement, academic success, and leadership development both on and off the field. Athletics also serve as a cornerstone of campus life, fostering school spirit and pride within the community.

“I am very excited to see the addition of both Men’s and Women’s Soccer at SUNY Sullivan,” said SUNY Sullivan Interim Director of Athletics Simon Clement. “This is an extremely popular and fast growing sport in Sullivan County.  Offering Soccer will provide a new pathway for student-athletes to enhance their education and playing career at their local community college.”

Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

Prattville’s boys’ soccer team had one of the best seasons in the history of the program. The Lions won the Class 7A Area 5 Championship over Thompson, Hillcrest Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa County. The Lions went 18-4-1 with a whopping 13 shutouts in 23 contests. The Lions defeated Hoover in the Class 7A Playoffs and advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals. They finished the season ranked as #3 in Class 7A in the final post-season poll, ranked only behind the two teams that competed in the state championship. Further, Prattville was ranked #5 in the “Super Poll,” which includes teams from all seven classifications in the state.  As a result of that success, Elmore Autauga News has named Head Coach Trevor Ledkins as the Autauga County Soccer Coach of the Year.

“I am honored to be selected as Coach of the Year,” said Ledkins. “The senior leadership and my assistant coach, Colin Salle, were a huge part of our success. Knowing when I challenged my players during training and games that they were going to step up to the challenge, it made it a really fun team to coach. Coach of the Year is definitely a team award and having great players, great assistant coaches, and great parent support were all key components to our success.”

Four of Ledkin’s players were selected to the All-State teams by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Ben Green was named to the 1st Team Super All-State, made up of all players in the state regardless of class. Adam Green was named Class 7A 1st Team All State, and Austin Ledkins and Levi Smith were both named Class 7A 2nd Team All State.

The Lions were led by a strong senior class. And their successes on the field resulted in a record eight seniors signing college scholarships to continue their soccer career beyond high school, a testament to the strength of the soccer program.

“Having eight senior college soccer signees is amazing,” said Ledkins. “These signees have also had great coaching and training in club soccer to develop them for the college level. These players set a standard of excellence for our program that all of our underclassmen can strive to achieve. Not only did they reach high athletic achievements, but also high academic achievements. I am extremely proud to have been able to coach these outstanding young men.”

Another incoming Penn State women’s soccer freshman Marlee Raymond is representing the stars and stripes this summer.

Hailing from Cumming, Georgia, Raymond was selected to the U17 U.S. Youth National Team this summer.

Another new Nittany Lion headed for the BIG STAGESo excited for Marlee Raymond to represent the Stars and Stripes with the U17 USYNT this summer#WeAre | #PSWS pic.twitter.com/DdEB2nKnka

— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) June 19, 2025

A defender, Raymond reclassified to join Penn State in 2025. She is one of the seven incoming freshman this season.

Fellow incoming freshman Hannah Jordan earned a call up to the inaugural U.S. Soccer Women’s College ID Camp on Monday.

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