Rock Valley College athletics often makes headlines in our local media, specifically in the Rockford Register Star and on rrstar.com. Below is a list of links to various stories promoting the athletic programs at Rock Valley College. We thank the Rockford Register Star for their continued support!

March 2012

Rock Valley College hits diamonds with high expectations
By Jay Taft
March 23, 2012

With Ryan Scarpetta topping off at 95 miles per hour on the mound and Cyrus Wimberly bringing in elite leadoff skills as well as standout play at shortstop, Rock Valley College’s baseball team headed into the 2012 season with high expectations.

The theme of Tuesday’s celebration for the national-champion Rock Valley women’s basketball team was clear: “This entire athletic program,” the newly crowned team’s head coach, as well as the school’s athletic director, Misty Opat said, “is certainly moving in the right direction.”

Rock Valley College wins national title
By Jay Taft
March 17, 2012

For the second time this school year, Rock Valley is celebrating a national championship.

Women's Hoops: RVC moves within win of national title
By Jay Taft
March 17, 2012

And then there were two — and for the first time in women’s basketball history, one of them is Rock Valley College.

The Rock Valley College women ran through their final tune-ups before leaving today for Rochester, Minn., to take part in the NJCAA Division III national tournament.

February 2012

Golden Eagles aim to soar through regionals
By Jay Taft
February 29, 2012

They’ve already hauled in more wins than any team since 2001. Now this year’s Rock Valley College men’s basketball team is trying to do something else that hasn’t been done since ‘01: Qualify for the NJCAA Division III national tournament.

December 2011

The Rock Valley men’s basketball team got hot just before its holiday break, winning four in a row to climb to 9-6. The stretch included a 69-64 win at Waubonsee on Dec. 20 during which the Golden Eagles buried 9-for-16 from beyond the 3-point arc.

November 2011

RVC women's basketball team eyes repeat performance
By Brenda Young
November 11, 2011

Last year, Jessica Gamble made her presence known as a freshman shooting guard for the Rock Valley College women’s basketball team.

Rock Valley volleyball team ready for national title run
By Jay Taft
November 11, 2011

Rock Valley’s volleyball team may have had its best stretch of matches at last week’s regionals. However, the Golden Eagles are hoping they can be just as good, or better, when they head to NJCAA Division III nationals at Rochester, Minn., today and Saturday.

Rock Valley College’s men’s basketball coach Julian Springer has little doubts about the talent-level on this year’s Golden Eagles roster.

RVC tennis coach Steve Vee decides to go out on top
By Jay Taft
November 9, 2011

Steve Vee knew it was time for him to step down. And for a guy who wanted to go out on top, he couldn’t have scripted it any better.

October 2011

Rock Valley locks in on tennis title by rolling in finals
By Jay Taft
October 29, 2011

Rock Valley’s women’s tennis team was not about to share this national title with anybody. And it didn’t take long Friday to make sure they didn’t have to.

Rock Valley College’s longtime tennis head coach Steve Vee likens this year’s women’s team to the title-winning squad he had in 2004. He’s just not sure about the rest of the field in this week’s NJCAA Division III National Championships.

The last man in saved Rock Valley College’s golf season. Elliot Day, Rock Valley College’s returning All-American, faltered on the final day and assumed RVC’s seventh-straight trip to nationals had ended. But Brandon Negri, RVC’s No. 5 golfer in a sport that only counts the low four scores, shot the team’s best score by three strokes Saturday.

Rock Valley College golf team a rare underdog
By Matt Trowbridge
October 5, 2011

The golf season is expected to end Saturday for Rock Valley College. That’s an unfamiliar position for last year’s NJCAA Division III runners-up.

September 2011

The best program in the Rock Valley athletics department right now, the volleyball team, pulled off another big victory Tuesday. The Golden Eagles lost the first game but then rattled off three straight to defeat Madison, ranked fourth in the nation, and to extend their home winning streak to 34 matches.

Rock Valley will put its 33-home-match winning streak on the line tonight when Madison (Wis.) College comes to town, and the Golden Eagles are not taking it lightly.

July 2011

Golden Eagles inducted

By Jay Taft (college notes)
July 13, 2011

All seven of Rock Valley College’s national championship teams and three of its former athletes were inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Region IV Hall of Fame.

The seven Golden Eagle NJCAA championship teams inducted were: volleyball 1996 and 1997, men’s tennis 2000 and 2002, men’s golf 2001 and 2002 and women’s tennis 2004.

The three individuals inducted were Natasha Rapo (women’s tennis), Justin Timm (men’s tennis), and Josh Gesner (men’s tennis).

June 2011

By Jay Taft
June 10, 2011

With Andrew Canfield and Andy Wilkinson heating up at just the right time, the Rock Valley men’s golf team heads into today’s final round of the NJCAA Division III nationals in Chautauqua, N.Y., with the title within reach.

By Jay Taft
June 9, 2011

On Tuesday, it was Elliot Day. Wednesday, Andrew Canfield came through in a big way for Rock Valley’s men’s golf team.

By Jay Taft
June 8, 2011

The Golden Eagles of Rock Valley are right where they want to be after the first round of the NJCAA Division III national golf tournament — well, almost.

Rock Valley golf team aims for national title

By Jay Taft
June 7, 2011

Last year’s Rock Valley College men’s golf team finished second in the country. This year, longtime head coach Steve Benjamin believes they could do one better.

May 2011

RVC softball team looks to turn it up in postseason

By Jay Taft
May 6, 2011

The Rock Valley College softball team is beat up, short-handed and struggling. But that doesn’t mean it’s not ready for a postseason push.

March 2011

Newcomers getting prepared to spark Rock Valley baseball  

By Jay Taft
March 25, 2011

When Bo Andrews found out Ryan Scarpetta and Cody Jacobson were going to play baseball at Rock Valley College this season, he made up his mind to join them.

Young RVC softball squad wants to keep momentum going

By Jay Taft
March 24, 2011

With a new head coach, only two returning starters and an ever-changing lineup card, the Rock Valley College softball players are not expecting to top last year’s historic season.

RVC hopes to keep tennis tradition rolling

By Jay Taft
March 23, 2011

Steve Vee has been coaching Rock Valley College’s men’s tennis team for 34 years, and he often talks about last year’s squad as “one of his best.”

February 2011

RVC women's team clobbers DuPage in Region IV semifinal
By Jay Taft
February 24, 2011

Fueled by a fast start and another efficient game from the team's star, Cierra Morris, Rock Valley got one step closer to the national tournament with a 71-47 win over DuPage in Thursday night's Region IV semifinal.

Rock Valley College women provide element of surprise

By Jay Taft
February 1, 2011

For the three women who spent a lot of time on the court for Rock Valley College last season, this year's charge to the top is not surprising, but it is especially sweet.

December 2010

RVC women's hoops team gets win before holiday
By Doug Goodman
December 22, 2010

It didn't have a red bow or festive wrapping, but Rock Valley's victory Tuesday topped the women's basketball team's wish list as it entered the Christmas break.

November 2010

For those who can give a bit more this holiday season
By Chris Green
November 24, 2010

Members of the Rock Valley College baseball team volunteered on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at the Rockford Rescue Mission during the mission's Thanksgiving dinner.

RVC earns third-place finish at national volleyball championships
By Jay Taft
November 13, 2010

Rock Valley College didn't get the national championship that it coveted this weekend, but after losing to the eventual champions in Friday's semifinal, it came away with the next best thing.

RVC men, women win basketball openers
By Jay Taft
November 3, 2010

Rock Valley needed overtime to win its first game of the season Tuesday. RVC (1-0) outscored McHenry County College 16-14 in overtime to win 77-75.

New RVC coach has confidence in young squad
By Jay Taft
November 2, 2010

Last year Rock Valley College's men's team won more games (14) than it had since Carl Armato left his head coaching position in 2001.

October 2010

Rock Valley rolls in volleyball regional, on to D-III nationals
By Jay Taft
October 30, 2010

Rock Valley pounded on Joliet (25-18, 25-10, 25-11) and Madison (25-23, 25-20, 25-18) in Saturday's NJCAA Division III regional tournament, and now they hope to do more of the same in the upcoming national tournament.

September 2010

Rock Valley College rolls to 22nd straight volleyball win
By Jay Taft
September 22, 2010

Joliet put up a good fight Tuesday night, but in the end the Wolves could not stop Rock Valley’s run on the volleyball court.

Rock Valley College makes statement with volleyball win
By Jay Taft
September 15, 2010

Madison College knocked off Rock Valley in last year’s regional finals, denying the school’s most decorated team a trip to nationals.The Golden Eagles, 38-6 and undefeated in N4C conference play last year, hope to get a chance to return the favor this postseason. They set the table with a commanding 19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-10 home win over the Wolfpack on Tuesday night.

Rock Valley College focuses on other sports after football
By Jay Taft
September 11, 2010

Rock Valley College’s football program is gone, and it now appears as if an unofficial restructuring of the sports department is also well under way.

June 2010

Rock Valley takes second at national golf tourney
By Jay Taft
June 12, 2010

It wasn’t the title they were after, but Rock Valley College grabbed its fourth top-two finish in the past decade by holding on to its runner-up spot in Friday’s final round of the NJCAA Division III national tournament.

Golden Eagles move up ladder at golf nationals
By Jay Taft
June 10, 2010

Rock Valley posted the lowest team score of the second round Wednesday, moving up to third place overall and closing the gap on the leaders in the NJCAA Division III men’s golf tournament.

RVC to take aim at another golf title today
By Jay Taft
June 8, 2010

Rock Valley’s men’s golf team will begin its quest for a third NJCAA Division III national title today in Chautauqua, N.Y., and 30th-year head coach Steve Benjamin has a good feeling about his team’s chances.

May 2010

RVC Golden Eagles not satisfied yet
By Jay Taft
May 19, 2010

Rock Valley College’s jubilation after winning its first N4C Conference title rolled right into the team’s joy of advancing to the NJCAA Division III national softball tournament for the first time as well.

Adland dominates in NJCAA championship tennis match
By Jay Taft
May 14, 2010

Rock Valley’s Tyler Adland learned a lot while working his way to the No. 1-singles consolation title at the NJCAA Division III national tournament last year. It showed this time around as he rolled to the national championship at No. 2 singles Thursday.

Rock Valley College qualifies for nationals in softball
By Jay Taft
May 8, 2010

After winning its first N4C conference title in the regular season, it was only fitting that Rock Valley College claimed its first berth to the NJCAA Division III national tournament since it joined the league as well.

Battles within make Golden Eagles strong on tennis court
By Jay Taft
May 8 , 2010

Michael Jordan has always insisted that when the true Olympic Dream Team was together, the intrasquad practices were even more intense and exciting than the tournament games. Steve Vee, Rock Valley College’s 33rd-year men’s head tennis coach, hesitated briefly but then agreed that his 2010 team may fit into that mold, too.

RVC pitcher Krull keeps the batters guessing
By Jay Taft
May 4, 2010

Former Belvidere hurler Vanessa Krull has helped lift Rock Valley College’s softball team to its first N4C Conference title and a No. 1 seed heading into this weekend’s Region IV tourney in DuPage.

April 2010

Bills to take look at former RVC cornerback Destin
By Jay Taft
April 27, 2010

John Destin considers his one season at Rock Valley his breakout college year.Now he’s hoping he can soon pinpoint his breakout NFL year.

RVC Golden Eagles roll through to nationals in tennis
By Jay Taft
April 24, 2010

Inside or out, Rock Valley proved it was better than DuPage and deserved a shot at nationals.The Golden Eagles blanked the Chaparrals 9-0 in Saturday’s Region IV men’s tennis tournament that was moved indoors to the Boylan Tennis Center. RVC crushed DuPage 9-0 earlier in the season in an outdoor dual.

Rock Valley College defeats Oakton in men's tennis
By Jay Taft
April 20, 2010

Whipping up on a previously unbeaten Oakton 7-2 at home was a pretty good way for the Golden Eagles to get ready for Saturday’s regionals.

Ten former RVC football players get to 4-year colleges
By Jay Taft
April 16, 2010

Four more Rock Valley football players signed on to play at four-year schools Thursday, bumping the total number of scholarship winners from the final Golden Eagles team to 10.

March 2010

Golden Eagles’ Alexys Cleaver a three-sport star who ‘can do it all’
By Jay Taft
March 4, 2010

Halfway through her first volleyball season at Rock Valley College, Alexys Cleaver already looked forward to softball season — but decided to scrap the scheduled gap in between.

RVC ready to kick off spring sports
By Jay Taft
March 4, 2010

With their ace returning to the mound, their top hitter back and their speedy leadoff guy set to go again, the Rock Valley College baseball team expects to improve on its 15-34 record from last year by starting strong.

February 2010

Golden Eagles not ready for it to end
By Jay Taft
February 23, 2010

Rock Valley men’s head coach Chad Barger considers this “put up or shut up time,” and he’s hoping his team is the one that’s putting up a victory.

DuPage sweeps RVC men, women
By Doug Goodman
February 3, 2010

DuPage dominated the second half and rolled over Rock Valley College 86-72 in men’s basketball action Tuesday.

January 2010

Golden Eagles use speed to counteract height disadvantage
By Jay Taft
January 26, 2010

It’s a good thing Rock Valley head coach Chad Barger likes his teams to run up and down the floor.With a squad that boasts one player as big as 6-foot-5, a post player that stands 6-3, and a roster that lists all 11 players as guards, speed is key.

Luedke overcomes injury, lifts RVC women's team
By Jay Taft
January 15, 2010

Emily Luedke isn’t always commanding a double team, and she’s not always the No. 1 option when the Rock Valley women need to come up with a play late in the game.

Lambert’s 3-point barrage not enough against Joliet
By Jay Taft
January 6, 2010

Drew Lambert hit three straight 3-pointers twice Tuesday night, but he and the Golden Eagles were no match for nationally ranked Joliet in their N4C Conference opener.

December 2009

Refocused Golden Eagles cruise
By Doug Goodman
December 11, 2009

A players-called meeting appears to have the Rock Valley men’s basketball team refocused.

“That really boosted our morale,” freshman guard Tyler Barr (Belvidere) said of the Saturday meeting.

November 2009

Brooks leads RVC to rout
November 14, 2009

Tony Brooks scored a game-high 19 points as Rock Valley (3-2) shut down Wisconsin-Manitowoc 99-41 on Saturday at home.

RVC men winners on new court
By Doug Goodman
Friday, November 13, 2009

ROCKFORD — Adam Hodge and his Rock Valley College teammates christened their new basketball court in winning style Thursday.

Golden Eagles squander late lead, lose opener at McHenry
By Jay Taft
November 3, 2009

Rock Valley’s men’s basketball team had enough firepower to battle back into Monday night’s season opener at McHenry, it just didn’t have enough to finish it off.

October 2009

RVC hopes to keep building basketball confidence
By Jay Taft
October 31, 2009

The Rock Valley men kick-started things by winning eight of their first 11 games last year, showing signs of not only improving, but of getting back to where then-first-year head coach Chad Barger wanted them to be.

Golden Eagles fall one win short of nationals — again
By Jay Taft
October 31, 2009

For the second straight year, the Rock Valley volleyball team fell a victory shy of qualifying for the national tournament, losing out in a tight five-set battle with the hosts from Madison on Saturday.

Top-ranked RVC wants to erase painful loss from memory
By Jay Taft
October 30, 2009

Last year’s regional final loss to Harper still stings head coach Ben Staupe and those who have come back to help Rock Valley erase that lasting memory.

RVC ends on sour note, hopes to be back in 2010
By Jay Taft
October 24, 2009

Rock Valley lost its final game of the season 52-6 to Iowa Central on Saturday, and now the Golden Eagles will continue working in the classroom in an effort to save the program.

Golden Eagles hope to close on good note
By Jay Taft
October 23, 2009

Rock Valley’s football team will close out the 2009 football schedule with a road matchup at Iowa Central, and its hoping to do so in a positive fashion.

RVC Golden Eagles fighting for more than victories
By Jay Taft
October 16, 2009

The football players and coaches for Rock Valley College aren’t happy with their 1-6 record.

RVC Golden Eagles aim for volleyball conference title and top seed in regional
By Jay Taft
October 12, 2009

The Rock Valley College volleyball team has a chance to lock up the N4C conference championship and a No. 1 seed in the regionals tonight if they can hold off another talented opponent.

RVC Golden Eagles, RC Regents fall
By Jay Taft
October 10, 2009

Playing on the road on a field covered in about four inches of snow, Rock Valley could not capitalize on a fast start, falling to 1-5 on the season with a 41-21 loss to Iowa Western.

RVC aims to haul in another regional golf title
By Jay Taft
October 7, 2009

The Golden Eagles men’s golf team has a stranglehold on the N4C conference championship, and it’s now set its sights on another regional title.

RVC pair roar into national picture
By Jay Taft
October 3, 2009

One was ready to get back into the swing after taking a year off from tennis. The other was looking to keep her competitiveness alive, and to keep her game sharp.

Golden Eagles aim to keep momentum
By Jay Taft
October 3, 2009

Rock Valley’s football team grabbed a win over a junior varsity squad last week. Now they’re hoping it’s time for a victory over a complete NJCAA Division III team.

RVC dominates Harper in volleyball
By Jay Taft
October 1, 2009

For the past four years, Harper has won at least a share of the N4C conference volleyball title.

Golden Eagles beat North Park JV for 1st win
September 28, 2009

After battling through a rough 0-4 start, Rock Valley College got its first victory, a 23-7 decision Sunday night over North Park’s JV team.

Olsen ignores obstacles, lifts Golden Eagles to No. 2
By Jay Taft
September 28, 2009

Natalie Olsen certainly hasn’t ignored her recently diagnosed heart condition. She’s just playing through it.