Higgins named SWCC athletic director

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) announced today Cole Higgins is returning to SWCC to be the college's next athletic director. He will begin his duties on Nov. 4, 2024.

Higgins is no stranger to SWCC or the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). As a SWCC student from 2018 through 2020, Higgins served as a student assistant coach with the SWCC men's basketball program. While completing his bachelor's degree at Iowa State University, he worked as sports information/social media coordinator for the ICCAC.

Higgins completed his Master of Science degree in sports management at Northwest Missouri State University in May 2024. As part of that degree program, Higgins worked at SWCC as an athletic administration graduate assistant from August 2022 through June 2023.

Since June 2023, Higgins has continued to gain valuable experience in athletic administration, serving as assistant athletic director at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington.

"I would like to thank President Lindsay Stoaks, Dean of Student Services Kim Bishop, the search committee, coaches, and everyone along the way who made this possible. I could not be more excited to return to campus and work alongside all of our great staff to build something really special at Southwestern," Higgins said. "Additionally, I am excited to partner with those in our communities, bring more fans to our stands, and provide a great college experience for our student-athletes. I can't wait to return to Creston and get started!"

His experience within both SWCC's athletic department and the ICCAC, as well as his ties to the community will be instrumental in Higgins leading SWCC athletics into the future.

"I am extremely excited to welcome Cole back to Southwestern! His passion for SWCC, our student-athletes, and our coaches was evident during the interview process," Bishop said. "With Cole's background serving in various roles within the ICCAC, he will hit the ground running and provide strong leadership for the athletic department and our student-athletes!"