New conference brings tougher competition
Brian Becker
Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: Sports
If you don't know by now, the Madison Area Technical College athletic program has switched conferences. Last year they were part of the Wisconsin Technical College Conference (WTCC) and this year they are in the North Central Community College Conference (N4C).
Many people outside the athletic office probably are surprised to hear the news that MATC switched conferences, but this has been in discussion since 2004.
The reason MATC switched was because of recent elimination of athletic programs in the WTCC and in the Wisconsin Junior College Athletics Association (WJCAA). MATC had to consider the long-term future of its athletic programs. Another reason MATC switched, along with Milwaukee Area Technical College, is they now have the ability to schedule better quality competition.
"Nothing really will change except for the people and colleges we're playing. This makes sense for us at this time," said Athletic Director Steve Hauser.
Hauser believes it is important for the players and teams to go up against quality competition each game. "We will put great effort into everything. If we are unsuccessful in a sport we'll try to figure out how to become more successful in that sport," stated Hauser.
In the past, the MATC soccer team would only play one conference opponent from the WTCC, which was Milwaukee Area Technical College. Now they have five conference opponents, which mean they get to play 10 conference games.
The competition that MATC will be facing in the N4C will be tougher than last year. In their new conference MATC will have to get used to College of DuPage, Harper College, Joliet Junior College, Rock Valley College and Triton College. All of these schools are located in Illinois.
MATC had a lot of success in their old conference winning numerous titles but it would not be surprising if their overall success rate decreases because of the spike in competition. The reason being that the N4C has a very rich tradition in success, like the WolfPack.
Many people outside the athletic office probably are surprised to hear the news that MATC switched conferences, but this has been in discussion since 2004.
The reason MATC switched was because of recent elimination of athletic programs in the WTCC and in the Wisconsin Junior College Athletics Association (WJCAA). MATC had to consider the long-term future of its athletic programs. Another reason MATC switched, along with Milwaukee Area Technical College, is they now have the ability to schedule better quality competition.
"Nothing really will change except for the people and colleges we're playing. This makes sense for us at this time," said Athletic Director Steve Hauser.
Hauser believes it is important for the players and teams to go up against quality competition each game. "We will put great effort into everything. If we are unsuccessful in a sport we'll try to figure out how to become more successful in that sport," stated Hauser.
In the past, the MATC soccer team would only play one conference opponent from the WTCC, which was Milwaukee Area Technical College. Now they have five conference opponents, which mean they get to play 10 conference games.
The competition that MATC will be facing in the N4C will be tougher than last year. In their new conference MATC will have to get used to College of DuPage, Harper College, Joliet Junior College, Rock Valley College and Triton College. All of these schools are located in Illinois.
MATC had a lot of success in their old conference winning numerous titles but it would not be surprising if their overall success rate decreases because of the spike in competition. The reason being that the N4C has a very rich tradition in success, like the WolfPack.
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