Green Bay, Wisconsin – Two colleges in Northeast Wisconsin have formed a groundbreaking partnership with the NCAA that could change the future for student-athletes. St. Norbert College (SNC) and Bellin College announced their new collaboration on Friday, becoming the first institutions in the nation to create an agreement that allows student-athletes to continue their sports careers after transferring between schools.
Under this plan, student-athletes who have completed two years at SNC and then transfer to Bellin College can keep competing in NCAA athletics, as long as all the necessary waiver requirements are met and approved. The partnership aims to open doors for current and prospective students, especially those in healthcare-related fields, to experience growth in both their education and their athletic pursuits.
Mike Wallerich, Assistant Athletic Director at SNC, expressed his excitement about the initiative, stating, “This pathway opens the door for student-athletes who are currently here for nursing or other Bellin majors.” He emphasized the importance of allowing student-athletes to thrive both in the classroom and in their sports.
Mark Bake, the Chief Academic Officer at Bellin College, echoed this sentiment. He noted that this unique agreement allows students to maintain their athletic commitment while pursuing important healthcare education. “The opportunity for SNC transfer students to continue participating in athletics while pursuing their healthcare education at Bellin allows students to stay connected to their passions and community,” Bake said.
One of the first students to benefit from this collaboration is Madison DeCleene, who is currently a freshman at Bellin College. DeCleene is the inaugural participant of the transfer agreement and hopes that her journey will inspire others. “I hope that others are inspired by this program seeing that I can be both a dedicated nursing student at Bellin and a committed cross country and track athlete at St. Norbert College,” she said. She added, “Up until this point, it was thought that you had to choose one or the other, but this program is now proof that you can experience your full potential by playing both roles.”
This initiative not only supports student-athletes but also aims to enhance their overall college experience and career prospects in the fast-growing field of healthcare.
