NJCAA Community Impact Spotlight: 2025-26 First Quarter
Charlotte, NC – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recognizes and celebrates the contributions numerous NJCAA member institutions are making in their local communities. The NJCAA 2025-26 First Quarter Community Impact Spotlight is the North Arkansas College athletic department.
For the North Arkansas College Pioneers in Harrison, Arkansas, life is about more than wins and losses. It is about being part of the community that supports them so generously. The Pioneers teams — men's and women's basketball, softball, baseball and golf — participate in many community events throughout the year. The teams have become so popular that organizers reach out to coaches asking if the players can come to the events.
"We as an athletic program try to help our small community by doing things that an organization might need with large numbers of volunteers," North Arkansas College Athletic Director, Bobby Howard, shared. "I believe that by helping, the community becomes more invested in our program, but also the student-athletes are greatly rewarded by doing volunteer service. Anytime that someone calls, we try to answer that call without hesitation."
The Pioneers baseball team started the semester off strong in August by lending a hand in meal preparation, sorting clothes, and organizing merchandise at Ozark's Share & Care, a non-profit emergency services program that provides food, clothing and household items to low-income families.
In September, the baseball and men's basketball teams participated in the Area Agency on Aging Beanbag Baseball World Series, an annual event where senior citizens toss beanbags at a board to score singles, doubles, triples or home runs. The event was created as a way to provide social interaction and physical activity for seniors. Pioneer players helped run the games and provided much needed hugs, high fives and handshakes.
Men's basketball players put their height to good use and teamed up with the Harrison Master Gardeners to hang beautiful flower baskets at the town square. The Master Gardeners said they are grateful for the help and loved meeting the players. The men's and women's basketball teams also hosted camps for kids kindergarten through sixth grade. They ran drills with the kids and gave them pointers. The kids were excited to learn from college basketball players.
All athletic teams participated in the Special Olympics as they do every year. They helped run the different events throughout the day and brought high energy to the Special Olympians with cheers and high fives. In addition to all of these special events, the teams have also volunteered at the local library, moved items for a needy family, and bought and wrapped Christmas presents for kids who otherwise would not receive any gifts.
Other Nominations
The NJCAA would like to recognize other member institutions who submitted an individual, team, or athletic department for the Community Impact Spotlight this quarter.
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WVU Potomac State College (WV) partnered with the Rotary of Keyser and Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build 50 beds for children in need across West Virginia. Read More
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Indian Hills Community College (IA) Assistant Athletic Trainer, Alex Hale, underwent a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell donation to help a stranger battling cancer. Read More
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Finger Lakes Community College (NY) partnered with the Canandaigua Area Soccer League (CASL) to enhance youth soccer opportunities and increase access to athletic facilities in the Finger Lakes region. Read More
About NJCAA
Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes with opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed, and achieve in both their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second- largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States, with over 500 member schools and 3,400 teams competing in 28 different sports. Each year, the NJCAA sponsors 57 national championships and invitationals.
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