Southwestern Oregon Community College Athletics

Southwestern Oregon competes in the NAIA, which sits between NCAA Division I powerhouses and small Division III programs, offering athletic scholarships without the massive stadiums. The Lakers field 19 varsity sports with 236 total athletes, meaning about 20% of the 1,199 students participate in athletics. The school distributes $670,661 in athletic scholarships across its teams. As a community college on Oregon's remote south coast, SWOCC uses athletics to build school spirit and provide opportunities for student-athletes who might transfer to four-year programs. The Lakers compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference alongside other Pacific Northwest community colleges. Basketball and soccer tend to draw the most local attention in Coos Bay, where sports provide entertainment for the tight-knit coastal community.