Wisconsin Soccer Central

It appears that there will be a new college women's soccer program in Wisconsin in 2014.

Madison College plans to add women's soccer to its athletic offerings and make changes to its women's softball program in response to a Title IX complaint filed last fall, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Monday.

Title IX, a federal law passed in 1972, requires equal opportunities for girls and women in education and in any program that receives federal funding. According to the newspaper, males accounted for 53 percent of Madison College's full-time students but 63 percent of the junior college's athletes during the 2011-12 school year.

The WolfPack women's soccer program is expected to have a coach hired later this year and field an 18-player team in fall 2014. The soccer team will compete in National Junior College Athletic Association Division III along with most of the school's other sports – Madison College plans to elevate its softball program to Division II status, which would allow it to offer scholarships like the WolfPack's baseball program.

• Madison College men's coach Sam Ramirez resigned last month after one season in the position and two years in the program. The WolfPack were 1-15-0 overall and 1-7-0 in North Central Community College Conference play last fall.
• Soccer players swept the Marian Student-Athlete of the Year awards, with senior midfielder Everett Zank (Sun Prairie) the men's recipient and senior goalkeeperJordan Dykstra (Cedar Grove) the women's winner. The awards are presented to junior or senior student-athletes based on their performances in the classroom and in competition, in addition to their character, leadership and community service.