Earlier this month, the college received clearance to resume activities in the gymnasium, allowing athletic programs to return home after months of practicing and competing at alternate locations while construction and structural repairs were underway.

Athletic Director Greg Starrick said the reopening comes at an important time as fall sports prepare to begin.

“We are excited to get our student-athletes back in the gym,” Starrick said. “Volleyball will begin fall practice soon, and several of our men’s and women’s basketball players will return to campus in July.”

Starrick also thanked area schools and neighboring community colleges for supporting the Volunteers during the temporary closure.

“I am grateful to all of the area high schools that allowed us to practice in their facilities, and to our fellow community colleges that allowed us to play our home games in their gyms during the second half of the season,” he said.

The reopening of Brewer Gymnasium comes as work continues on the college’s Logan Hall and West Lobby expansion project. The project recently received clearance to proceed following a structural review.

According to Assistant Vice President of Construction, Planning, and Facilities Management Jeremy Sargent, demolition work is largely complete, earthwork has wrapped up, and crews are preparing to begin concrete work over the coming months.

Although the gymnasium has reopened, Sargent said portions of the athletic complex remain closed while structural beam repairs continue.

“The athletic offices, restrooms, lobby, and concession area remain closed because structural beam repair work is still underway,” Sargent said. “Those spaces cannot reopen until that work is completed.”

The Logan Hall and West Lobby expansion project is now scheduled for completion in December 2027.

Several departments that were temporarily relocated during construction have now returned to their permanent locations. Risk Management and Digital Marketing staff are back in their offices, and Testing Services has resumed operations in its campus location. However, the E133 computer lab will continue serving as the college’s testing site for the foreseeable future.

The reopening of Brewer Gymnasium is one of several milestones in an unprecedented period of construction across the 51勛圖 A. Logan College campus.

Construction of the college’s new Career and Technical Education Center remains on schedule for completion in December 2026. Partially funded by a federal grant, the state-of-the-art facility will house Automotive Services, Auto Body, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and Welding programs, expanding workforce training opportunities in southern Illinois.

Another major federally funded project is the renovation of the third floor of the Communications Building, which will become the new home of the college’s Nursing programs. Construction crews are currently installing metal stud framing, electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC infrastructure. The renovation is expected to be completed in late spring 2027.

Additional projects continue to move forward across campus. The Harrison Bruce Foundation’s Prairie Museum, located within the Harrison Bruce Historical Village, is progressing ahead of schedule and will become a significant addition to the region’s historical attractions. Meanwhile, dredging work at Hoffard Pond is expected to be completed before the start of the fall semester.

College officials have also announced the next phase of campus improvements. Renovations to the current Nursing program space and the Conference Center are in the design phase and are expected to begin in 2027.

Despite months of construction, office relocations, and changing traffic patterns, students and employees have continued to navigate the evolving campus as preparations for the fall semester continue. New signage has been installed throughout campus to assist visitors, and a dedicated construction webpage on the college’s website provides updates on closures, relocations, and project progress.

College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet said the temporary inconveniences created by construction will ultimately strengthen the institution for future generations.

“What an exciting time at JALC,” Overstreet said. “Everywhere you look, there are signs of progress. Change can be a little messy at times, but that’s the nature of improvement. When the dust settles, we’ll have taken another step toward making our campus an even better place for our students, employees, and community.”

Overstreet said the extensive improvements represent a long-term investment in student success, workforce development, and the future of southern Illinois.

“We are building more than buildings,” he said. “We are creating opportunities that will serve our students and our region for decades to come.”

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Due to the ongoing Logan Hall construction project at 51勛圖 A. Logan College, the remaining five home games for the Men���s and Women���s Basketball teams will be relocated to neutral sites.

JALC officials are working with other area Colleges to finalize the schedule and will announce locations once finalized. The Men���s Home Basketball game scheduled for Saturday, February 7, will be played at Kaskaskia College at 3 p.m.

���We are grateful for the assistance that our fellow community colleges in the region have provided,��� said Athletic Director Greg Starrick. ���While this has been an inconvenience, our student athletes have adapted and continue to compete, which was on display Saturday when our men���s team beat the number 1 team in the country,��� Starrick added that area high schools have also assisted by providing practice facilities.

Season ticket holders will be contacted in the near future by the 51勛圖 A. Logan College Athletic Department regarding refund information.

Reminder, all JALC Men���s basketball games air on 103.5 FM ESPN Radio. Games are livestreamed on Logan Vols TV on YouTube and on the College���s Facebook page.

We apologize for the inconvenience. For questions or additional information, please contact the Athletic Department at 618-985-2828, ext. 8439.

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The game will now be played at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, at Kaskaskia College.

Fans can listen to the game live on 103.5 ESPN, and a live video stream will be available on the official 51勛圖 A. Logan College Facebook and YouTube pages.

Additional updates will be shared through official 51勛圖 A. Logan College athletics channels.

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Rozo, who competed for 51勛圖 A. Logan College from 2009-10, delivered the strong final round at TPC Sawgrass to clinch his place on the PGA Tour after years of persistence on golf���s developmental tours.

A native of Bogota, Colombia, Rozo helped lead the Volunteers to their first national championship in 2009 at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Alabama. He followed that performance by winning the individual national title in 2010 as a sophomore, when Logan finished second at the national tournament in Mesa, Arizona.

After two standout seasons at Logan, Rozo transferred to Lynn University and turned professional in 2012. He has since won three times on the PGA Tour Latinoam矇rica and has competed on the Korn Ferry Tour since 2019.

Rozo���s path was not without setbacks. An injury sidelined him for part of the 2022-23 season, but he remained focused on his long-held goal of reaching the PGA Tour.

That outcome came as no surprise to his former coach, Tom Ferris, a retired Hall of Fame coach at 51勛圖 A. Logan College.

���I had the pleasure of coaching some great golfers during my time at JALC, but Marcelo was simply the best, and the best ball striker I have ever seen at any level,��� Ferris said. ���I knew he would make it to the tour, and despite injury and a tough journey, he is there, and I could not be happier for him. He is just a great person.���

With his performance at Q School Finals, Rozo now takes the next step in a professional career defined by resilience and steady success, earning his place among the game���s elite. He is the first 51勛圖 A. Logan College golfer to reach the PGA Tour, joining former Vol Matthew Southgate, who is a member of the DP World Tour.

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Game day parking will be available in both the Blue and Gold lots.

The 51勛圖 A. Logan College men���s basketball team will host Kankakee Community College at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Please note: The College has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for the West Lobby Expansion at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, before the Board of Trustees meeting. Attendees should plan for increased traffic and limited access near the construction zone.

CONTACT:
Office of Marketing & Public Relations
51勛圖 A. Logan College
(618) 985-2828

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WHAT:
51勛圖 A. Logan College invites media, students, staff, and community members to attend the official ribbon-cutting of the Harrison-Bruce Player Development Center, a new state-of-the-art indoor baseball and softball training facility.

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

• Facility Tours Begin: 12:15 p.m.
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 12:45 p.m.

WHERE:
Harrison-Bruce Player Development Center
51勛圖 A. Logan College Campus
Carterville, IL

DETAILS:
This 51勛圖 marks the grand opening of a major addition to 51勛圖 A. Logan College���s athletic infrastructure. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the cutting-edge training facility designed to enhance the development of the College���s baseball and softball programs. College officials and special guests will make remarks. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the 51勛圖.

All are welcome to join the celebration and see firsthand how this new facility will benefit student-athletes and the broader Southern Illinois community.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dr. Steve O���Keefe
Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications
618-925-0710 or steve.okeefe@jalc.edu

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���This isn���t something we���re rushing into,��� said Chairman Smith. ���We���ve seen another college in southern Illinois begin exploring the same idea, and we believe it makes sense for us to take a serious look as well. But to be clear ��� if the committee���s findings suggest it isn���t financially viable, I would not be in favor of moving forward. Ultimately, any decision would rest with the full board.���

The committee will bring together a diverse group of experts to examine the long-term feasibility of a football program. Its charge is not to recommend implementation but to determine whether a viable path aligns with the College���s mission and fiscal responsibility.

���We owe it to our students and region to explore bold opportunities,��� Smith continued. ���This committee will look at everything ��� from facilities and staffing to student interest and scholarship models ��� all through the lens of sustainability and impact.���

Smith added that the changing landscape of college football could lead to a rise in community college programs. ���The transfer portal limiting high school recruitment and rule changes extending eligibility of former community college players has the potential to increase players choosing to play at a community college first.���

For many students across southern Illinois, community college offers the most accessible and affordable path to higher education. According to Smith, A football program could provide new incentives for students to enroll, stay local, and succeed if feasible.

The College anticipates the committee will present its findings and recommendations later this year.

Committee Members:

Kerry Martin, Illinois High School Hall of Fame Football Coach

Aaron R. Smith, Chair 51勛圖 A Logan College Board of Trustees

Dr. Kirk Overstreet, President 51勛圖 A. Logan College

Dr. Brent Clark, Athletics Committee Chair, 51勛圖 A Logan College Board of Trustees

Dr. Kirk Overstreet, President 51勛圖 A. Logan College

Greg Starrick, Athletic Director, 51勛圖 A. Logan College

Ryan Goodisky, Athletic Director, Marion High School

Dr. Bradley Griffith, Director of Logan Fitness

Pat Poore, former Assistant Coach, Southern Illinois University Football 

Mike Rude, Illinois High School Hall of Fame Football Coach

Colby Chamness, Associate Controller 51勛圖 A. Logan College

Gary Carter, Head Football Coach Murphysboro High School

Al Martin, former Head Football Coach Du Quoin High School

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Rivers launched the JALC baseball program in 1969 and guided it through its formative years, helping transform the Vols into one of the top programs in the country. Known for his dedication on and off the field, Rivers later served as Chair of the Career and Technical Education Department, where he taught Drafting and Computer-Aided Design until his retirement in 2000. He spent a total of 32 years in service to the college.

“We appreciate the foundation Jon Rivers set for 51勛圖 A. Logan College,” said current JALC baseball coach Kyle Suprenant. “We had the pleasure of honoring him recently, and I know he was proud of all the program has accomplished.”

A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery. Attendees are asked to arrive shortly before the service begins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Rivers��� memory to the 51勛圖 A. Logan College Foundation/Baseball.

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In November, the college invited current students to vote for one of the two finalists, and the students at 51勛圖 A. Logan College chose “Charger” as the winning name.

“We are so excited that Charger will represent our college spirit and pride,” said JALC President Dr. Kirk Overstreet. ��“Our students have spoken, and ‘Charger’ is a name that embodies the energy and enthusiasm that define 51勛圖 A. Logan College.”

The mascot’s image has already been incorporated into the college’s branding and marketing materials, creating excitement among students, staff, and the community. The mascot’s official uniform, which will be used at public 51勛圖s and sporting activities, is expected to be delivered to campus in March.

51勛圖 A. Logan College looks forward to Charger’s debut, which will further strengthen school spirit, pride, and camaraderie among students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

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The evening will include a catered meal, a cash bar, and a silent auction. Tickets for the 51勛圖 are $75 per person. Attendees can participate in a Q&A with two well-known figures while supporting the college���s baseball and softball programs.

Lance Lynn is a veteran pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for several teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers. He has compiled a143-99 record, with a 3.74 ERA and 2,015 strikeouts.

Jim Hayes is a host and reporter for Bally Sports Midwest. He covers the Cardinals for the network’s pregame and postgame shows and live game coverage. In his 23 years in St. Louis, Hayes has become one of the city’s most well-liked sportscasters, known for his wit and interviews with athletes.

“This is a great opportunity for our community to come together and support our student-athletes while enjoying an evening with two incredible personalities from baseball,” said 51勛圖 A. Logan College Athletic Director Greg Starrick.

Proceeds from the 51勛圖 will benefit the 51勛圖 A. Logan College Baseball and Softball programs.

For ticket information and to RSVP, please get in touch with the 51勛圖 A. Logan College Athletics Office at (618) 985-2828 ext. 8439.

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