Celebrating NJCAA Day: Polk State Athletics continues to “Empower the Future”

As a proud member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Polk State College is joining its JUCO brethren in celebrating the eighth annual NJCAA Day.

This year’s theme is “Empower the Future.” That’s something that Polk State has done on the playing surfaces and beyond for each of its five athletics programs.

Baseball

Entering his 14th season at the helm, Polk State Head Baseball Coach Al Corbeil has helped more than 100 players move on to four-year schools or be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. In July, pitcher Aiden Butler became the third former Polk State player in the last two years to be drafted when he was taken in the ninth round by the Seattle Mariners.

“(Corbeil) and the staff at Polk State helped me tremendously,” Butler said. “They helped me so much through the recruiting process. I wouldn’t be where I am without Polk State.”

The Polk State program has had several players go on to play Major League Baseball with pitcher Jonathan Bermudez being the most recent. Bermudez made his big-league debut for the Miami Marlins on Aug. 27, but the accomplishments don’t stop there. In June, former Polk State outfielder Ty Crittenberger made ESPN’s top plays for a catch in centerfield in the College World Series for the University of Kentucky.

“I’ll always remember my Polk State teammates,” Crittenberger said. “It’s always fun to meet new guys. Polk State gave me a year to remember who I was as a person and a player.”

Former Polk State All-Suncoast Conference pitcher Skylar Gonzalez had a season to remember at the University of Tampa, an NCAA Division II program. Gonzalez earned National Pitcher of the Year honors and broke the storied program’s single-season wins record with a perfect 15-0 record while helping the Spartans win their ninth national championship.

“The mentality and experience I gained at Polk helped me at the University of Tampa,” Gonzalez explained. “I had to flex my ‘get your chin up’ mentality. Because of my experience at Polk, it was easy to stay tough and stay focused.”

Basketball

Polk State Head Basketball Coach Brandon Giles has made it his personal mission to create opportunities that go beyond basketball. Entering his eighth season, Giles has helped about 30 players move on to four-year programs with forward Moses Gordon and guard Dominick Nelson being the latest.

“One day the ball’s going to stop bouncing,” Giles said prior to Sophomore Day last season. “We tell them, ‘You’re going to be a man longer than you’re going to be a basketball player.’ My only hope is that as they’ve spent these one or two years here within our program that they’ve really learned what that means.”

That’s not the only way that the Polk State staff have helped “empower the future,” however. In each of the last two offseasons, Giles and Assistant Coach Josh Jackson have visited the Bahamas to facilitate a free basketball camp and help grow the game on the island. He also hosts more than 100 local youngsters annually for the four-day Brandon Giles Skills Camp.

Back home, Giles holds a weekly speaker series where accomplished individuals and those with great stories talk to the team with the hope of providing inspiration and making them think beyond basketball. The effort seems to be working. Carson Beisner, a team captain for the 2023-24 squad, started his own apparel business while a member of the program.

Tekorian “TK” Smith, the program’s all-time leading scorer, has earned two degrees and is now among a handful of former Eagles playing professionally overseas. A native of Memphis, Smith regularly returns to Winter Haven.

“I get peace of mind here,” Smith said. “I’m from Memphis – and not the nice part. What I want to accomplish doesn’t align there. Back here I’m able to work with pros like Kevin Capers, Keon Clergeot, and Shawn Faust. I’m back around my guys and good basketball. They keep me motivated.”

Soccer

When it comes to outreach and creating memories for when his players’ playing days are over, Polk State Head Soccer Coach Dee Shivraman has taken a similar approach to Giles. This summer, Shivraman, Assistant Coach Paige Russell, forward Cheyanne Pitts, and midfielder Dylan Fernandez made the 200-mile trek to Live Oak to provide a free camp in an area where soccer is only a seasonal sport and club organizations are few and far between.

“I remember being that age and not having a ton of resources for soccer,” Pitts said. “I was once in their position, getting to meet people who played at a higher level. If people hadn’t done that for me, I might not be playing college soccer right now.”

To help provide lifelong perspective, Shivraman has been fortunate enough to have soccer legends like Tom Sermanni and Danielle Fotopoulos speak to the team. Sermanni has spoken to the team via Zoom in each of the last two seasons. This year, Fotopoulos, a former World Cup champion, brought her club team to Lakeland to scrimmage the Eagles and provided perspective afterward.

“Our coaches were always encouraging and pushed us hard to do our best,” Fernandez said prior to Sophomore Day earlier this month. “They encourage us in life and academics as well. They care about you as a person – not just a player. Over the past two years, I’ve developed more than ever before. I’m ready for adulthood. This is the best group of people I’ve ever been around.”

Softball

To help his players get to the next level and prepare for the future, Polk State Head Softball Coach Kevin Lewis has compiled a coaching staff full of players who know what it takes to get there. Assistants Tate McClellan, Holly Jones, and Madison Edwards combine for 13 years of college playing experience. To reach the community, fill a void, and “empower the future,” those three are providing private lessons.

“There is so much to be gained from one-on-one with people who know what it takes to play at the next level,” Lewis said. “Most seasons are played in the spring, but private lessons in the offseason are a great way to get better. We want Polk State to be the place where local players go for their instruction.”

With a freshman-heavy roster in Lewis’ first season of 2024, the Eagles had just two sophomores, but moving players on is something that the coaching staff is emphasizing. The first player to go on to play at a four-year school under Lewis is infielder Jillian Hudson, who is now at NAIA Warner University. After batting just .146 as a freshman in 2023, Hudson led the Eagles in home runs and RBIs last season.

“I have become more confident and independent,” Hudson explained of her growth during her time at Polk State. “I’ve become a leader and a player who can trust myself and my ability.”

Volleyball

With seven appearances in the national NJCAA Tournament since 2014, Polk State has become one of the most recognizable brands in junior college volleyball. The Eagles have had great players over the years, including several who went on to play for their national teams.

In her lone season with the program, Keionna Mackey continued the tradition of excellence in 2023 when she was named an NJCAA All-American – the program’s sixth since 2015. In total, 12 of the 13 players from the 2023 team signed with four-year schools.

“My two years at Polk were the best of my life,” said Irene Mostardini, a libero now playing at Bradley University. “It’s not just volleyball but the relationships I’ve developed. I still stay in touch with my Polk State teammates. I grew so much as a person.”

First-year Head Coach Jessica Beal has embraced Polk State’s rich history and tradition of excellence.

“I want to preserve Polk State’s place as one of the top programs in the nation,” she said. “I want to help players move on to (NCAA) Division I and high Division II programs and to have them represent Polk State with pride.”