Two Darton State College sports teams to survive consolidation

ALBANY — Darton State College’s Athletic Department on Friday announced the future of its athletic sports teams. Following the Fall 2016 season, and as a part of the consolidation process with Albany State University, two sports from Darton — men’s golf and women’s soccer — will be added as part of the new Albany State Athletic Department.

Darton’s Women’s Soccer program will continue to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) through the Fall 2016 season as Darton State College. Following the conclusion of the Fall 2016 season, Women’s Soccer will become a part of the new Albany State University Athletic Department.

Darton’s men’s golf program will be added to the Albany State University Athletic Department beginning with the 2016-2017 academic year and will compete as a part of the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Darton’s golfers will be eligible to compete as Albany State University athletes in the fall.

“This is the best news we could have hoped for. We’ll compete in the GCAA for another season, and the year after that we’ll look around and see where we can compete,” said a parent of of a women’s soccer player who asked not to be identified. “We are hoping for the best in the future because Darton soccer has always been a jewel. We have two regulation soccer fields on campus and you can’t find that anywhere else in southwest Georgia.

“The heart and soul of soccer in this region is at Darton College. We’ll just have to see what the future brings.”

ASU currently does not compete in men’s golf or women’s soccer. The SIAC does not have a women’s soccer division but does field seven men’s golf teams.

“We’ll have until January of 2017 to explore all our options as to what to do with our women’s soccer program,” Darton Interim Athletic Director Lea Henry said. “We’ve not had many discussions about it, but we will. We have beautiful soccer facilities.”

Henry said ASU could compete as an independent or join another conference for women’s soccer only. She pointed to Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., which competes in the Gulf South Conference in men’s golf and men’s and women’s soccer, but plays in the SIAC in all other sports.

Due to the a coach vacancy, Darton’s Men’s Soccer program concluded its final season in 2015. The team ended its final season being named the 2015 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) Region 17 Men’s Soccer Champions.

Darton’s women’s basketball, baseball and softball will conclude their final seasons during Spring 2016. With the projected January 2017 implementation of the consolidation and NJCAA and NCAA policy, no institution can compete in both organizations simultaneously.

“This undertaking requires careful review and planning, and the Albany State University and Darton State College’s Athletic Departments will continue to consult all governing bodies in order to determine the best course of action.” said Henry, interim athletic director and member of the Albany State University/Darton State College Consolidation Implementation Committee. “After careful review of the NJCAA and NCAA rules and regulations and working with the Athletic Departments at Darton and Albany State this transition of the athletic teams is the best decision for our Darton student athletes, the Albany community, and the consolidation process.”

Remaining student centered is a commitment both institutions pledge to keep at the forefront of the consolidation process. “Darton State College’s Athletic Department remains committed to our student athletes. During this transition, we will continue to honor our obligations to all current freshmen student athletes through their athletic scholarships at Darton State,” said Henry.

“We are grateful for Lea Henry’s leadership through the consolidation and are fortunate to have Lea serving on the implementation committee, ” said Interim Darton President Richard Carvajal. “Lea will play a critical role in the design of the new athletic department for the new Albany State University.”