Northeast Iowa Community College adds five new sports teams in athletics expansion

PEOSTA, Iowa (KCRG) – Five new sports teams are coming to Northeast Iowa Community College in an expansion to the college’s athletics program, college leaders announced Friday.

Baseball, softball, dance and men’s and women’s cross-country teams are being added to the college’s growing athletic offerings.

The college said the decision to add more athletic teams came after a study showed more athletic opportunities will help attract more students, including students from outside the district.

The college hired Athletics Director Nick Weinmeister last spring to create a plan for the expansion.

“Not only are we adding more sports to the athletics department, we’re enhancing and growing our current sports shooting and esports teams,” Weinmeister said in a press release. “When adding new athletic programs, I wanted to find programs that would best fit the needs of the students and encourage potential students who might consider NICC because of athletic opportunities. Right now I’m working with coaches and community colleges in the northeast Iowa region and the surrounding states. I want to ensure we have the community’s support. It’s an exciting time at NICC. We are expanding athletics and have also introduced our new mascot, Chase the Cougar.”

Part of the strategy was to add sports that accommodate larger rosters to benefit the most students possible, the college said.

Baseball and softball feature rosters of 20 or more students at the Peosta campus, while cross-country, which is available at both campuses, will accommodate 12-20 students. Dance, which is also offered at both campuses, can accommodate anywhere from 8-20 students.

These new athletics programs are expected to begin competing in August 2025.

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