New opportunities for students to attend Fort Scott Community College on an athletic scholarship are here.

Woman’s golf and also men’s and women’s track and field programs will be offered in Fall 2018, according to Tom Havron, athletic director and dean of students, said.

“This is an opportunity for us to add to the student body and give students academic opportunities,” Havron said.

Ryan Pulsifer was hired as the new track and field coach.

“This is near and dear to my heart….I was a track and field coach for Neosho County Community College, Chanute,” Havron said.

“There is a possibility of using local talent on our team,” Havron said.
“Fort Scott High School has tremendous cross country and track teams. The local talent is  high.”

Track has potential to add 50 to 90 students to the student body, and up to 15 for golf, Havron said.

Jeff Tadtman, current head women’s basketball coach, is the new women’s golf coach.

“Tadtman has had some experience coaching golf in a previous position,” Havron said.

FSCC has already signed two high school students for this team and is aiming for eight, he said.

For college, women’s golf is played during  fall and spring semesters, Havron said.

“We were looking to add a woman’s sport,” Havron said. “Because of Title 9, it’s important to have things equal, to give opportunities to females.”

Havron said in addition to staff recruitment, people can apply for the athletic scholarships.

In addition to academics and sports, FSCC allows students opportunities to serve the community.

Havron said the athletic department prides itself on “producing a culture of community service.”

He cited such service as helping the middle school with several fundraisers, Beacon Adopt-A-Child, Angel Tree, reading programs at the elementary schools, line judges at the high school volleyball games, Upward Bound referees and shoe donations to a third-world country.

“We get multiple calls every month, people who need help,” Havron said. “The coaches are great to get this going.”