Beginning in 2013 for the fall semester, Richard Bland College will be offering the only cross country and track & field program for both men and women at the junior college level in the state of Virginia. Previously in the state of Virginia, Virginia high school track & field student-athletes only had the option in-state of competing at one of Virginia's four-year universities or otherwise must travel and attend schools out-of-state if the junior college route was needed for academic, financial, athletic, or other reasons in order to eventually attend and compete on a four year university team.
The new program at Richard Bland College, which is located in Petersburg (about 23 miles south of the capital city Richmond), will be headed up in its infancy and started up by Richard Wagenaar. Coach Wagenaar is a familiar name to many long-time high school coaches in Virginia as he previously was the head coach at the University of Richmond and University of Mary Washington. MileStat.com recently met with and interviewed Coach Wagenaar, who is anxious to start recruiting Virginia's great crop of high school cross country and track & field athletes which now have a great option and alternative with a junior college in Virginia to attend and help them continue in their pursuits to advance their academic and athletic dreams onto a four-year university eventually.
Interview with Richard Bland College cross country/track head coach Richard Wagenaar
What is your coaching background?
I have 22 years of Collegiate Head Coaching experience at University of Richmond, University of Mary Washington and Centre College.
How did the school begin fostering ideas and plans of starting up a cross country and track program?
Richard Bland College has had a Running Club for 12 years and had strong participation. The club has participated in Road Races, Trail Runs and Track meets. The administration decided that Cross Country and Track teams would fit well into their initial new sports at the NJCAA level.
How much does it cost to attend Richard Bland College? What kinds of tuition assistance is available?
Last year, the In-state tuition was $4,400, which was 44% of the average for Virginia’s 4 year state colleges in 2012-13. We have both Federal and State financial aid based on need. RBC also has 58 different scholarships that are based on academic and extracurricular achievement.
Is there on-campus housing?
We have two Co-ed dormitories that were opened in 2008. They offer 1 t0 4 bedroom apartments, which have living, laundry and kitchen areas in each apartment.
What kind of relationship does Richard Bland College have with other four year universities throughout the state?
RBC has Guaranteed Articulation Agreements with 14 Public Universities in Virginia. The list includes the College of William and Mary, Virginia Tech and George Mason University.
Where will the team be holding practices at? What are the facilities like?
Our distance athletes will practice on our campus trails and nice dirt 400 meters track. Our sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers will be able to use a High School facility that is a 5 minutes commute.
What meets do you plan on taking the team to travel and compete in?
Our plans are to mainly compete in both Collegiate Cross Country and Track and Field Invitational meets in Virginia. Our NJCAA Regionals and Nationals will be out of state.
What are your short term goals for the program?
Our goal for Cross Country this fall is to have solid teams compete at our Regionals. In Track, we want to have strong competitors in every running and field event; with several individuals qualifying for the NJCAA Championship meet.
What are your long term goals for the program?
After a few years of building and because of the strong Virginia High School level of competition; we would like to have teams that will compete for National Championships every season.
What kind of student-athletes do you think might be attracted to attending Richard Bland and competing on the state's first junior-college XC/track program?
Foremost, we hope to attract student-athletes that sincerely feel they can continue to improve as athletes and students. Our programs will help them attend and compete at the highest collegiate level their talents allow.
Why should a prospective high school student-athlete consider Richard Bland College?
Several reasons:
1) To allow them to attend a 4 year college, that they always wanted to attend.
2) To attend a Residential College, that is a great value and cost a fraction of a typical Public college.
3) To improve their athletic abilities and compete at large meets and the National Championship level.
If you are a High School senior, who is interested in Richard Bland College, its new program and want to be contacted by Coach Wagenaar, please email him at rwagenaar@rbc.edu to receive an electronic questionnaire.