In a press conference on Nov. 20, the MCC Athletic department introduced new head football coach Carl Hargrave. "I am excited to be here number one because of the vision I have seen going through the hiring process here at MCC," said Hargrave, mentioning the rigorous vetting procedure that took place to determine the next head football coach.
Under the new leadership of head coach Sam Ballard, MCC basketball begins their season. Ballard, a Phoenix native, played for East Phoenix High School. After finishing college at the University of Wyoming and trying out for the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA, he continued his basketball career in France playing professionally for five and half years.
MCC's athletic trainers are available throughout every sports season and are the first responders to any injury that occurs on the playing field. They travel with the sports teams, making sure they are available to the athletes. Each trainer dedicates their time helping athletes with treatments and rehabilitation. According to Bob Klassen, head athletic trainer, there really isn't a normal day for the athletic trainers.
On Nov. 19, the stands were packed to watch the MCC Thunderbirds play their first home game of the season against the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters. The Thunderbirds played a close game, and finished with a 73-71 victory over Eastern Arizona. The T-Birds started the season with a three game winning streak, so it came as no surprise that they were going to fight for this win.
The fall 2008 men's and women's cross country teams at MCC may all be newcoming freshmen, but their statistics show more strength than the "new-comer" title implies. Both teams qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship by finishing in one of the top five positions at the NJCAA Region I competition on Oct.