Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Student Life

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Have fun. Try stuff. RVC gives you opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student activities to choose from. We offer more than 20 clubs and organizations. Try your hands at student government. Join the staff of our campus newspaper. What's it going to be?

» Campus Activities Board
» Clubs and Organizations
» Student Government
» Get Involved
» Black History & Culture Events
» Women's History Month Events

Women's History Month Check out the full list of Women's History Month events at RVC!

Academics

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Whether your plan is to take classes and transfer to a four-year university or enter one of our career programs designed to get you into the workforce right away, Rock Valley College has what you are looking for. Select from one of our more than 60 transfer areas or more than 20 career programs.

» Degree Programs
» Course Descriptions
» Faculty
» Course Schedules
» Course Catalog
» Study Abroad

iTunes U Get more out of your lectures with iTunes U!

Admission

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At Rock Valley College, you're not just a number. Our highly respected faculty have master's degrees, doctorates and real-world experience. You won't be competing for attention in a huge lecture hall. Our average class size is 21, so you'll get a chance to interact, challenge and be challenged by your instructors.

» Registration
» Priority Registration
» Advising and Counseling
» Visit Campus
» Adult Students

Getting Started Get started at RVC in just a few easy steps.

Student Services

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Whether you are new to the college or know your way around, we have a variety of services designed to help you succeed. We're here for you every step of the way.

» Financial Aid
» Disability Support Services
» Career Services
» Advising/Counseling
» Tutoring Center
» Judicial Affairs

EPS Our Educational Planning Sessions will give you a head start on what to expect at RVC. 

Library

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The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!

» Library Home Page
» Library Catalog
» Library Databases
» Library FAQs
» Research Guides

Library Catalog Search our online catalog.

Athletics

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RVC competes in NJCAA Division III in men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Not to brag, but we're pretty good at it. Our teams have won seven national championships and we have had more than 100 All-Americans.

» Athletics Home
» Athletics Staff
» Athletics News
» Schedules
» Baseball
» Softball
» Men's Tennis
» Fitness, Wellness, and Sport

Spring Time Spring is right around the corner! Check out the schedules for Baseball, Softball, and Men's Tennis....

Meet the Coaches

Head Coach: Chad Barger

Chad BargerChad Barger is in his second season as head coach for the Golden Eagles Men's Basketball team. He was an assistant coach for the men's program for the two seasons prior to taking the head coach position. Barger also played at RVC under Coach Carl Armato from 1996 to 1998 where he was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 1998. He played his high school ball for Machesney Park Harlem and was a Nic-9 All-Conference selection in 1996.

Barger was an assistant coach for Rockford East in 2005-06 and for Harlem in the 2003-04 season. Prior to that, he was the head coach for Keith Country Day School from 2001 to 2003.

Barger received an Associate’s degree from RVC, a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Northern Illinois University, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Design from National Louis University.

In his spare time, Chad likes to spend time with his wife, Amy, and their daughters Payton, 6, and Payge, 3.

You can contact Coach Barger at (815) 921-3809 or via e-mail.

Assistant Coach: Gene Houston

Gene HoustonGene Houston is assisting with men's basketball for the second straight season after serving as the head coach for the RVC women's basketball team for three seasons.

In Houston’s first recruiting season for women's basketball, he won the Coach of the Year honors for N4C and was responsible for recruiting four all-conference selections, including the MVP of the conference, Simone Coburn. Coburn was also the first women’s basketball player in RVC history to be named an NJCAA All-American. She earned All-American honors in both of her seasons at RVC. Houston’s first recruiting season also led to Rock Valley College’s first ever conference championship for women’s basketball.

Houston played at Harlem High School, where he was an all-conference selection and also played in the All-Star Game in his senior season. Houston was also the team captain and team MVP. He received a scholarship to Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama but came back home and played for Rock Valley College under head coach Carl Armato. Houston graduated RVC and continued his education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where he received his Bachelors degree in Sociology.

Houston also continued his education by becoming a certified personal trainer and massage therapist.  He has assisted at many high schools, including Jefferson High School, Auburn High School, and Guilford High School.  Coach Houston started coaching at Rock Valley as a men’s basketball assistant under his high school coach Jim Leix in 2003. 

Houston is currently employed full time at Rock Valley College as a Job Developer in the Adult Education & Literacy department.

You can contact Coach Houston at (815) 921-3807 or via e-mail.