Athletics
Go, Surge!
Cincinnati State athletics provide opportunities for students to enhance their overall experience at the College by encouraging lifelong wellness, sportsmanship, and academics.
Cincinnati State currently fields teams in five sports: women’s and men’s basketball, women’s and men’s soccer, and golf. All five teams regularly compete under the rules and regulations of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII (Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) and play a very competitive junior college schedule. After playing for Cincinnati State, many student athletes go on to play for four-year schools.
The Cincinnati State Athletics program is under the leadership of Theresa Check, athletic director and women’s basketball coach. Staff members include Wil Cagle, women’s soccer coach; Mike Combs, men’s soccer coach and fitness center director; Andre Tate, men’s basketball coach; and Scott Webb, golf coach.
Surge will play for national championship
The Cincinnati State men’s basketball team is playing for a national championship this year!
The Surge is scheduled to play top-seeded Monroe Community College from Rochester, N.Y. on Tuesday, March 16 in the opening round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Tournament. The Tournament will be played in Danville, Illinois.
It’s not the ideal draw, perhaps, but as Surge Head Coach Andre Tate noted, if Cincinnati State can upset Monroe (28-2 to date) they will be a contender for the remainder of the tournament.
“We are confident no matter who we are playing,’’ Tate said. “Our focus is nationals. We want to bring the first national championship back to Cincinnati State. That would be something really special for people to remember us by.”
Tate’s team made it to the NJCAA tournament in Danville by winning the District 10 regional tournament and claiming the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference regular season title with an 11-3 conference record and a 22-8 overall record.
The Surge’s victory in the regional tournament came via a 57-32 win over Cuyahoga Community College in the final.
The Surge-Monroe game starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Men’s, women’s basketball teams capture conference titles
Cincinnati State established itself as the basketball powerhouse in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference this year, as both the men’s and women’s teams ended the regular season at the top of the standings.
Under Head Coach Theresa Check, the Lady Surge posted their second consecutive 20-win season, finishing 20-10 overall and 12-2 in the OCCAC.
The team captured the OCCAC title with dramatic back-to-back victories in its last two games of the season.
The run started Feb. 25 with a 75-67 win over nationally ranked Owens Community College, which at the time led the Lady Surge by one game in the conference.
Sophomore Kara Zwick set the tone for her teammates starting the game with a sprained shoulder and scoring the first 4 points in the game before her shoulder was reinjured.
“Kara wanted to play in her last home game,” Coach Check said. “Despite only playing nine minutes; she made one of the biggest impacts in the game.”
Taking a 9 point lead into halftime, the three remaining sophomore took over to lead the Surge down the stretch. Tamara Sneed led the way with 24 points and 7 rebounds including a big 3-point shot to put the Surge up by 5 late in the game. Javonna Saddler chipped in with 15 points and Na’Tasha Farr recorded 21 points.
Coach Check also praised the work of freshman forward Samantha Paratore in that game. “While our sophomores were scoring, Sam was doing all the little things on the defensive side of the floor to help us earn the win,” Check said.
With Owens CC losing its final game, the Lady Surge was presented with the chance to win the conference outright with a win in its final game against Cuyahoga Community College. Cincinnati State did exactly that, recording an 80-68 victory on the strength of a tenacious fourth-quarter run.
“I am so happy for our sophomores;” Coach Check said after the game, “With everything that each player went through, it is good to see them accomplish what they worked so hard for.”
The Lady Surge enter the NJCAA Region 12 District Championship tournament at Ancilla College in Indiana as the No. 1 Ohio seed. Their first game is Thursday, March 4.
Men’s postseason play starts March 5
The Cincinnati State men’s team, meanwhile, ended the season with a 22-8 overall record and an 11-3 conference record.
For Head Coach Andre Tate, it was his first conference title at Cincinnati State in that role.
“These guys worked hard all season to get us where we are, and I am proud of them,” Coach Tate said. “There will be time to reflect on what we did when the season ends. It is time to focus on the post-season.”
The Surge begin post-season play on Friday, March 5 at Lakeland Community College in the OCCAC Championship. They will play the winner of Owens Community College and Sinclair Community College game.
“We play every game to win,” says Tate, “I like our guys as long as we come out focused on the task at hand.”
Support the Surge!
Everyone is encouraged to attend Cincinnati State’s athletic events. Support the Surge and build pride in the Cincinnati State community. Admission to games is free with a valid SurgeCard.
For the Surge basketball, soccer, and golf schedules, stats, and coach contact information, click here.
Click here to listen to a live broadcast of home Surge basketball games!
Athlete Spotlight
Learn more about Cincinnati State's talented athletes.
Athletic Hall of Fame
The Cincinnati State Surge Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the outstanding athletic contributions of Cincinnati State coaches, graduates, and administratiors. Click here to download a nomination form.
