TOUGALOO, MS – The Tougaloo College Department of Athletics has announced the addition of men’s and women’s soccer beginning in the Fall of the 2022 - 23 school year.
This will be the first time the college has offered men’s and women’s soccer since the 80’s. Realizing that soccer is gaining a lot more momentum around the country, the college administration wants to build this program to help foster diversity and attract more students, both domestic and international. The last program that existed at Tougaloo College was over 30 years ago. Tougaloo Women’s Soccer will join the ranks of other HBCU soccer programs in the state of Mississippi like Jackson State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley State. Tougaloo Men’s Soccer will take on the mantle of being the only HBCU Men’s Soccer program within the state of Mississippi. It would also be one of a very few HBCU Men’s Soccer programs in the country alongside Howard University, Fisk University, Huston – Tillotson, Oakwood University, and Talladega College in Alabama.
“I really want to build a competitive program here at Tougaloo. It has always been my dream to coach soccer at an HBCU and now is that time,” says Head Coach for men’s and women’s soccer at Tougaloo, Ahmad Smith. “I would like to prove that soccer not only exists in our state, but that we can compete in it as well. Though there are some barriers with establishing and growing the program we will work to create our own opportunities here.”
Tougaloo College Athletics Program is a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Though the soccer program is currently “Independent” in status they look to join the conference in the Fall of 2023. Their home matches are expected to be played at Central Jackson Soccer Organization (CJSO) near Callaway High School.
The last spring game will be played April 3rd at 1pm and 3:30 pm. This game and your support is important because it helps the Tougaloo Soccer Program join the NAIA. Please come out and support.
For more information about intercollegiate athletics and soccer at Tougaloo College, contact Athletic Director, Keith Barnes at kbarnes4@tougaloo.edu or at (601) 977 – 4479.
