Bryant & Stratton College announced today it is expanding its Athletics Program into Wisconsin joining the National Junior College Athletic Association starting in the 2016-17 school year. In Wisconsin, the Bryant & Stratton College Bobcats will start Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball and Men's Golf and plans to expand to eight sports by 2020.

The Bobcats will be joining the NJCAA Region 4 competing at the Division II level which gives the opportunity to offer athletic scholarships to student athletes. Within the first two years, the Bobcats will explore joining a conference of other Division II teams.

Coaching searches for all three programs are underway. These coaches will have a major role laying the foundation of the program, recruiting student athletes and being involved in the community.

"It's no secret Wisconsin is a great state for basketball and golf," said Greg Brandner, Bryant & Stratton College Athletic Director. "We have engaged in an aggressive search for our coaching positions that we expect to fill in December 2015."

"Being the only Division II junior college basketball program in Wisconsin will allow us to retain many local student athletes that are seeking to compete at a higher level while earning a college degree," Brandner said. 

The athletic director added that the College's athletics program will increase school spirit and build recognition in southeastern Wisconsin as well as outside the local area. The student athletes will be able to take courses at any of Bryant & Stratton College's three area campuses located in downtown Milwaukee, Wauwatosa and in Bayshore Town Center in Glendale.

The Bobcats currently have sports programs at select campuses in New York and Virginia.

Bryant & Stratton College offers programs in business, healthcare, legal fields, technology and many others through campus and online courses. The College's EmployableYOU® classroom-to-workplace experience provides students both the theory and real-world experience to ready students for placement into their chosen field.  The college works with many local organizations and businesses to help its students gain internship and career placement.

Bryant & Stratton College was founded in 1854 and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. For more information about Bryant & Stratton College visit www.bryantstratton.edu or call 414-847-1559. For information on the National Junior College Athletic Association visit njcaa.org.