BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton Community College Department of Athletics is excited to announce the addition of Men's and Women's Intercollegiate Wrestling, set to begin competition in the fall of 2024. Northampton will become the NJCAA's 3rd men's program and 2nd women's program in the state of Pennsylvania. With the addition of the two wrestling programs, Northampton will now sponsor nine (9) intercollegiate sports, beginning in the 2024-25 academic year (Men's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Men's Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Men's Wrestling and Women's Wrestling).

"We are extremely excited to launch men's and women's wrestling at Northampton," stated Director of Athletics Troy Tucker, "I believe it is a natural fit for the college given the strength of high school wrestling in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. I think we can be competitive on a national level very quickly."

The NJCAA currently sponsors 58 men's wrestling programs and 23 women's programs. The Spartan men's team will compete in Region 19 and the NJCAA Gulf Atlantic District along with dual meets and invitational tournaments. The women will compete with an independent schedule, including dual meets and invitational tournaments. Both squads will have the opportunity to qualify for the NJCAA National Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

In 2023 the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sanctioned girls wrestling, and now has over 180 teams. The PIAA also sponsors 472 boys' programs, with 42 of those teams located in District XI, which includes the Northampton Community College service area.

The search for a head coach will being immediately, with the goal of a successful candidate being in place by April to begin recruiting for the Fall.

For more information on Northampton's addition of wrestling, email Director of Athletics, Troy Tucker, at; TLTUCKER@northampton.edu