Majority of CCC Athletes Head to University

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:56:03 GMT

Basketball standout Chehales Tapscott is following a winning tradition at Clackamas Community College. His basketball play combined with good academic standing earned him a spot on the Portland State University team and a full-ride scholarship. The academic performance for student athletes at Clackamas Community College (CCC) is always an important part of the sport programs. Preparing students in academics and athletics at the community college level allows athletes to grow in a supportive environment. Fall term, 13 members of the men’s basketball team earned a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, while recording a 10-2 record. “Both academics and athletics are a focal point for growth at CCC,” said Athletic Director Jim Martineau. Tapscott completed fall term with a 3.67 GPA. He was the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) tournament MVP in 2009 as he helped the Cougars to the Southern Region and NWAACC championships. In the last 11 years, 95 percent of Clackamas women basketball players who moved on to compete at four-year schools finished their associate’s degree at CCC. Rachel Copeland played for the women’s basketball team from 2006-2008 and was voted first team all region both years. During her second year, she was named to the NWAACC sophomore all-star team and the all-academic team. She left Clackamas as the single season free throw percentage leader at 87.5 percent and ranks second all-time for points in a season at 646 (21.5 per game). She is now a senior at Vanguard University on a full-ride scholarship as a two-year starter. Copeland is the leading scorer this season on a team ranked fourth in the nation for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) DI. The Cougar wrestling team is another successful program. The wrestling team finished second at the Western Region qualifier for the NJCAA National Championships, qualifying nine wrestlers out of 10 weight classes for the NJCAA National Championships held in Des Moines, Iowa, in February. John Bates was a standout wrestler at CCC, a national runner up in 2008 and third at nationals in 2007. Bates is finishing his education at Southern Oregon University where he is a two time academic All American, and two time regional champion. Over the past few years, 60 percent of sophomore athletes at Clackamas moved on to compete at four-year colleges. In 2008-09, out of the 50 sophomore athletes, 42 continued their education at four year schools. Thirty are competing at four-year schools, and 25 earned athletic scholarships. “Students athletes at CCC are able to learn what it takes on and off the court to prepare them to succeed at four-year colleges,” Martineau said. Written by CCC Public Affairs intern Josh Gaunt; for information, please contact Janet Paulson at 503-594-3162.