Connors State College Adding Men's, Women's Soccer Programs

An Oklahoma college’s athletic department is expanding.

Connors State College in Warner hopes to bring more attention to soccer.

The athletic department at Connors State College has award-winning programs and the head coach of the soccer program says he’s looking forward to being a part of the greatness.

Glenpool High School Student Kaylee Ballinger will join the inaugural team in the fall as a goalie. She says she always dreamed of playing soccer on a collegiate level.

"I always wanted to go to college for soccer, that was the end goal so I'm very happy I get to do that," Ballinger said.

Adam Skolnick will be the coach for the men's and women's soccer teams.

He's been in coaching for 11 years and is excited for the program.

"Being a first-year program, I'm really excited to get the ground running and start the development here and give something the community can get behind, not just Connors," Skolnick said.

Skolnick says the soccer scene has really expanded in Oklahoma and there is a lot of great local talent. He says he has recruited players from all over and there will be seven countries represented.

"The first year is definitely going to be a big growth and development year. The goal really is to just make the playoffs," Skolnick said.

Skolnick says he hopes this program can leave a legacy.

"I think it will be a really fun season," Ballinger said.

Ballinger says she's looking forward to the upcoming season.

"I'll get to play with a lot of people I know and then I'll get to meet a lot of people I don't, and I think that will be really cool," Ballinger said.

The teams will play their first regular season game on August 24th.