Athletics News
NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards honors 18 from Region 4
March 19, 2025
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recently announced the first Coaches Legacy Awards presented by Nufabrx, honoring the legacy of most successful coaches in the history of junior college athletics. Of the nearly 200 recipients, 18 honorees spent time coaching at a Region 4 institution.
Region 4 Announces Winter 2024-25 All-Region Teams
March 18, 2025
The NJCAA Region 4 has announced the numerous recipients of All-Region Team accolades for student-athletes competing in the Winter 2024-25 season, including those recipients of Region 4 Player of the Year honors.
Olive-Harvey claims first Region 4, North Central District championships
March 17, 2025
RIVER GROVE, ILL. - History was made Saturday as Olive-Harvey College defeated host Triton College by a 70-62 final to claim their first Region 4 Divison I Women's Basketball Tournament championship. Panthers coach Jeff Dillard was named the Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Rock Valley, Lake County both secure first Region 4 Division II crowns
March 17, 2025
ROCKFORD, ILL. - The 2025 version of the Region 4 Division II Women's Basketball Tournaments finished with some fresh blood at the top, as Rock Valley College and the College of Lake County claimed the Midwest District A and Midwest District B titles, respectively. The top-seeded and host Golden Eagles held off #4-seeded Black Hawk College by an 81-70 final to win their first region crown since taking the Division III championship in 2022. The #2-seeded Lancers, meanwhile, upended #6-seed Kankakee Community College with a 75-56 victory to secure the program's first-ever Region 4 title. Darryl Watkins of RVC and Tanner Morris of CLC were named Region 4 Coaches of the Year.
Joliet's Ramirez-Quintero wins women's national title, Triton, Harper lead men's contingent at national championships
March 14, 2025
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA - Region 4 was well-represented once again at the NJCAA Men's Wrestling Championships and the NJCAA Women's Wrestling Invitational on March 7-8. Joliet Junior College's Katie Ramirez claimed the national title in the 131-pound division, leading the Wolves to a ninth place finish overall. On the men's side, Harper College placed third in Division III, while Triton College was 11th in Division I. In all, nine Region 4 wrestlers earned NJCAA All-American honors.
Dynasty continues as Rock Valley wins fourth straight NJCAA championship
March 13, 2025
CHEEKTOWAGA, NY - Rock Valley College completed their quest for a fourth consecutive NJCAA Women's Bowling Championship, claiming the 2025 title in come-from-behind fashion. Sophomore Madison Davenport was named the NJCAA Most Valuable Bowler and All-Event Champion for the second year in a row. Joliet Junior College also represented Region 4 with a fourth place finish.
Rock Valley's 3rd place finishes leads Region 4 contingent at NJCAA Bowling Championships
March 13, 2025
CHEEKTOWAGA, NY - Rock Valley College's reign atop the junior college bowling world came to an end with a third place finish at the 2025 NJCAA Men's Bowling Championships on March 1. The Golden Eagles, who had won the previous three national titles, finished the three-day competition in third place behind champion Iowa Western Community College. Joliet Junior College finished eighth and Kishwaukee College placed 17th out of 22 teams. Freshman Charlie Hunt of RVC earned NJCAA All-American honors.
City of Milwaukee rules Region 4 Division II with pair of championships
March 13, 2025
ROCKFORD, ILL. - A pair of Region 4 Division II Men's Basketball Tournament Championship trophies now reside in the city of Milwaukee after Bryant & Stratton College and Milwaukee Area Technical College won the Midwest District A & B titles, respectively. The top-seeded Bobcats secured their first Region 4 crown with a 71-66 defeat of host and #4-seed Rock Valley College, while the #10-seeded Stormers stayed atop the region with an 85-74 victory over #3-seed South Suburban College in a matchup of last year's two region champions. Charles Ruffing of BSC and Randy Casey from MATC were named Region 4 Coaches of the Year.
Triton defends title to claim fifth championship in seven years
March 12, 2025
RIVER GROVE, ILL. - The defending NJCAA national runners-up had their hands full Saturday, but in the end, top-seeded Triton College held off second-seeded Kankakee Community College by a 79-76 final to repeat as Region 4 Division I Men's Basketball Tournament champions. The Trojans have claimed five of the last seven titles since moving up from Division II in 2018-19. Brian Burns was awarded the Region 4 Coach of the Year honor.
Joliet claims NJCAA Central District title, earns #9 seed at national tournament
March 06, 2025
DALLAS, TEXAS - The only Division III women's basketball team in Region 4 is headed to the national tournament after Joliet Junior College won a pair of games in Texas to claim the NJCAA Central District Championship. The Wolves defeated Dallas College-Mountain View on Saturday by a 73-54 final to earn an automatic bid into the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championships.
Region 4 qualifies 22 wresters for NJCAA nationals, Triton misses out on district three-peat
March 05, 2025
PALATINE, ILL. - Two-time defending district champion Triton College was unable defend its crown at the NJCAA Great Lakes District Wrestling Championships, finishing second behind Southwestern Michigan Community College by 14.5 points. Right behind the Region 4 champions was Harper College in third, with Joliet Junior College finishing sixth, Morton College seventh, and Bryant & Stratton College ninth. In all, five Region 4 wrestlers earned individual district titles and 22 total grapplers from the region earned a spot at the national tournament.
Joliet finishes runner-up at first NJCAA Women's Cheer Invitational
February 06, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - At the inaugural NJCAA Women's Competitive Cheerleading Invitational, Joliet Junior College came away with a national runner-up finish. The Wolves lost 341.0-314.5 in the championship round to Blinn College at the conclusion of the three-day event that run January 30-February 1.
Region 4 Hall of Fame welcomes nine-member Class of 2025 for induction
January 15, 2025
The NJCAA Region 4 Hall of Fame is pleased to announce a nine-member induction Class of 2025. The group includes eight student-athletes, one of which is also recognized for lifetime achievement, and one national championship team that all excelled during their time competing in Region 4. The inductees represent five different Region 4 schools, including three inductees from Madison College, two each from Joliet Junior College and Oakton College, and one from the College of DuPage.
Justin Bland Named 2024 NJCAA DIII Football Offensive Player of the Year
December 19, 2024
Charlotte, NC – With an elite year on the field, 2024 has set the precedent for strong career to flourish for one freshman quarterback. After leading his team to a national title, Justin Bland of the College of DuPage has been named the 2024 NJCAA DIII Football Offensive Player of the Year.
Matthew Rahn Named 2024 NJCAA DIII Football Coach of the Year
December 18, 2024
Charlotte, NC – At the front of a college football empire is a head coach who has led an unstoppable team that has yet to succumb to failure. After another incredible season, Matthew Rahn of the College of DuPage has been named the 2024 NJCAA DIII Football Coach of the Year.
47 Fall 2024 Region 4 Student-Athletes earn NJCAA All-American accolades
December 17, 2024
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has released its list of All-Americans for the 2024-25 fall sports season, and 47 student-athletes representing Region 4 were recognized. The group includes 12 from men's cross country, five in women's volleyball, four from women's cross country, and three from men's and women's soccer, as well as 20 College of DuPage football players. There are 17 first team recipients, 18 second team honorees, three third team selections, and eight honorable mention distinctions. The student-athletes represent ten Region 4 institutions.