NTCC Athletics

Northeast Texas Community College now has a new addition to its Eagles athletic program. As of fall 2010, NTCC will offer Division I NJCAA varsity men’s soccer as an extracurricular opportunity for students.
Brian Speer has been tapped to coach and develop the soccer program, and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“Soccer has been growing in popularity in East Texas in recent years. You are seeing more and more children’s and adult leagues popping up in small towns. This is a great opportunity for NTCC to introduce a sport that has a huge fan base and participation rate in this area. I feel confident that we will be able to make soccer a successful addition to NTCC athletics,” Speer said.
NTCC constructed a soccer field and additional parking in 2007, with the intention of starting a team as soon as possible. With the addition of Speer as a part-time coach, that is now a reality. Plans are in place to add a women’s soccer team in 2011.
“We are looking forward to increasing our athletic program at NTCC. Coach Speer has an excellent reputation and a proven track record of being able to build a soccer program from scratch,” NTCC Athletic Director, Chris Smith, said.
Speer currently teaches and coaches at Pittsburg High School, where he began the soccer program four years ago. He has also served as an assistant coach at LeTourneau University in Longview and was the athletic director and head soccer coach at the Trinity School of Texas in Longview for three Years. He played soccer for Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky and for Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He has also has many years of coaching experience from youth to semi-professional levels. He is married to Christi and has two children, Skyla, 7, and Sierra, 2.
Speer is currently in the process of recruiting a team for fall 2010. Tryouts will be held once a week throughout the summer. Players are required to meet NJCAA eligibility requirements and must attend NTCC full-time in order to participate.
“I know there are excellent athletes in the area who could be an asset to this program. We need guys who want to continue their soccer career and have a chance to further their education at the same time,” Speer said.
The next tryout will be Monday, May 24 at 5 p.m. at the NTCC soccer field. Those interested in trying out should contact Speer at bspeer@ntcc.edu or 903-434-8164 (please leave a message). The fall semester at NTCC begins August 23. For more information, visit www.ntcc.edu.

NTCC adds varsity men's soccer for fall 2010