Andrew College and LaGrange College announce new sports programs

Submitted by Andrew College staff and LaGrange College staff
 
Andrew College Adds Intercollegiate Football Starting in 2024
Andrew College President Dr. William R. Kennedy has announced the addition of an intercollegiate football program at Andrew College. Andrew College will begin play in Fall 2024 at the NJCAA level. 
 
"We are excited to add football to our growing list of athletic offerings at Andrew College,” said Dr. Kennedy. “Fighting Tiger Football will increase campus vibrancy and allow many students to gain a quality education while continuing to participate in the sport they love right here in southwest Georgia.”
 
Dr. Nicholas Garrett, a veteran coach with extensive ties from coast to coast, will lead the charge for the football program’s inaugural season. 
 
"We had an impressive pool of applicants for our position, but Dr. Garrett stood out and impressed us with his vision, passion, and commitment to being a part of something special here at Andrew College," said President Kennedy. 
 
Before arriving at Andrew College, Garrett spent six plus years at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia where he led the program to its first playoff appearance and victory in GHSA school history and was named Coach of the Year in 2019. Garrett was also the head coach at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard, California. He also spent time at the college level at Bethel College, Western New Mexico University, East Los Angeles College, and Kansas Wesleyan University. 
 
"My family and I are thrilled to join the Andrew College community,” said Garrett on becoming the new Head Coach of the Fighting Tigers. “This is a destination job at a program in the grassroots stages of something truly special. I am in total alignment with Dr. Kennedy's vision and mission for all things Andrew College and the future of the football program. I can't wait to continue to build upon a tremendous foundation of rich historical culture. This is a world-class institution of higher education and the entire community of exceptional like-minded professionals at Andrew College."
 
Coach Garrett is a California native who received his Bachelor's from Graceland University in Iowa. He earned his Master's degree from Concordia University in Coaching, Athletic Administration, and Exercise Science and his Ph.D. from North Central University in Higher Education Leadership.
 
Interested student-athletes can reach out to Coach Garrett at nickgarrett@andrewcollege.edu.
 
LaGrange College to offer two new women’s sports
LaGrange College Athletics will increase its program from 16 to 18 teams with the addition of women’s golf and women’s flag football. The college’s Board of Trustees approved the two sports during its October meeting.
 
“These new programs will help enhance LaGrange College’s efforts in recruiting high school athletes,” said LaGrange College President Susanna Baxter. “We will be able to showcase the college’s academic offerings and outstanding outcomes to a new population of prospective students.”
 
The women’s golf and flag football teams are set to begin competition in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, respectively.
 
“These two sports are historic additions that will bring excitement and energy to campus,” said Terlynn Olds, LaGrange College Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. “We will be able to broaden our domestic and international base of student-athletes and allow more women to enjoy the Panther experience.”
 
The golf program, which began at LaGrange College in 1993, will see the women’s team compete in the USA South Conference, where seven other institutions have women’s golf programs.
 
Shannon Lipham, LaGrange College Head Coach for Men’s Golf, will assume both coaching and recruiting responsibilities for the men’s and women’s teams. The program recently acquired an indoor practice room with a simulator thanks to donor funds.
 
To oversee the women’s flag football program a national search will begin immediately for a head coach. LaGrange will be the second institution to add flag football in the Collegiate Conference of the South, with other competitors located within a two-hour drive from LaGrange.
 
“In Georgia, there are 7,000 girls participating in high school flag football,” Olds said. “These athletes in Troup County and throughout the state will have an additional option to continue the sport at the collegiate level.”
 
Recruiting will begin for the new teams in November.