By Shannon Lukens.
The softball program and the rodeo athletic program at Colorado Northwestern Community College are both being discontinued. Reasoning from CNCC is because of “long-standing challenges with sustainability, staffing, and overall program viability.” A press release says roster numbers have been low and there was instability with coaching.
The final rodeo competition for the CNCC Rodeo Team is April 11-12 at Colorado Mesa and then April 25-26 at Utah Valley University.
The softball program is discontinued, effective immediately.
File courtesy photos
Press Release from Colorado Northwestern Community College; March 26, 2025.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; March 26th, 2025
Colorado Northwestern Community College Announces Discontinuation of Softball and Rodeo Programs
RANGELY, CO.– Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) has announced that, after careful evaluation by institutional leadership, the college will discontinue its softball and rodeo athletic programs. The rodeo team will complete its season, with final rodeos at Colorado Mesa on April 11th and 12th, and at Utah Valley University on April 25th and 26th. The softball program is discontinued effective immediately.
The decision was approved by CNCC President Lisa Jones and her Executive Cabinet, citing long-standing challenges with sustainability, staffing, and overall program viability.
“Decisions like these are never easy, and we understand how deeply this affects our student-athletes, alumni, and supporters,” said Zach Stevenson, CNCC Athletic Director. “Ultimately, we believe this is the most responsible path forward to ensure we are supporting all student-athletes with the quality, consistency, and stability they deserve.”
Over the past several years, both programs have faced mounting difficulties, including low roster numbers, instability in coaching positions, and limited competitive continuity. Despite efforts to grow and sustain the programs, CNCC leadership determined that the long-term viability of softball and rodeo was not attainable under current conditions.
“Our focus is threefold as it pertains to college programs: Enhancing student success and the student experience, maintaining program excellence and, monitoring program sustainability for the purpose of institutional effectiveness. The College has invested a great deal of time and resources to help turn both softball and rodeo around, “said Dr. Lisa Jones President of CNCC “Unfortunately, these efforts were not fruitful. CNCC is in process of making sure affected students are supported through the transition and have options going forward. “
All student-athletes currently signed to the softball program for future seasons will be released from their Letters of Intent and are now free to pursue opportunities with other colleges. The students-athletes who are currently on the rodeo team will not need to be released and will be able to pursue opportunities elsewhere. CNCC is actively working with impacted students in both programs to provide support and guidance during this transition.
“Our goal remains to provide an outstanding student-athlete experience, and that includes making hard decisions when programs are no longer meeting that standard,” said Stevenson. “We are committed to moving forward in a way that strengthens CNCC Athletics and sets our students up for long-term success.”
CNCC continues to offer a range of intercollegiate athletic programs including women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s wrestling, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s baseball. For more information, please visit athletics.cncc.edu
About CNCC: Colorado Northwestern Community College enhances people’s lives by providing an accessible, affordable, quality education. It is the college of choice for students seeking a unique education grounded in the Colorado experience.