Atlantic Cape Student-Athletes to Continue Athletic Careers After Earning Scholarships and Offers to Division I & II Universities

MAYS LANDING — For student-athletes at Atlantic Cape Community College, excelling not only in the classroom, but on the fields and courts of play, requires day-in and day-out determination and commitment towards achieving success.

Recently, numerous Buccaneers student-athletes have witnessed their hard work rewarded with scholarship offers to continue their studies and athletic careers at Division I and II colleges and universities across the country.

“It is truly a blessing to see the continuous growth of our athletic program. I am incredibly proud of our students, not just for their accomplishments on the field and court, but also in the classroom,” said Athletic Director Jamal Edwards. “We're seeing more and more 4.0 students and high-level graduates, and that's a testament to their commitment and discipline.”

This year, two student-athletes received full scholarship offers to Division I schools, thus proving that a higher education from Atlantic Cape is a great way to establish yourself in an academic pathway that aligns with your future goals while competing athletically, honing your skills and saving money.

Men’s basketball standout Christopher Parker, a native of Columbia, South Carolina who scored his 1,000^th career point on February 15, will be attending South Carolina State University in the fall. Parker helped lead his Buccaneers teammates to the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 Division III playoffs.

For his efforts, Parker was named All-Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Division III Player of the Year and All-GSAC Region 19 Division III First Team.

“A lot of people put their trust in me and they believed in me, in what I can do and what I can accomplish,” said Parker. “I was just going off of that as motivation all year.”

Parker’s teammate, Jeremy Ellis, a native of Hamilton, NJ and a Health Science major who returned to the court this year after missing all of the 2023-24 season due to an injury, will be attending Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama in the fall.

Meanwhile, Dillon Bacchetta, a native of Port Republic, NJ who played on the men’s soccer team this season, was awarded a Transfer Trustee Scholarship to Division I Rider University in Lawrence Township, NJ. Bacchetta is currently majoring in Finance with a minor in Sociology.

Edwards is thrilled to see more and more Atlantic Cape student-athletes being recognized for their academic and athletic successes by universities.

“What excites me is the number of student-athletes earning scholarships at both Division I and Division II level and that reflects the relentless effort of our coaches during practices, in games and on the recruiting trail,” said Edwards.

Former Buccaneers men’s basketball standout David Coit recently announced that he is transferring to the University of Maryland this fall where he will play for the Terrapins after spending his senior year with the University of Kansas Jayhawks.

Coit, a native of Columbus, NJ, helped lead the Buccaneers to the 2022 NJCAA Division III Region 19 quarterfinals, and earned Region 19 player of the year and First-Team All-Region honors in his freshman season. His accomplishments helped earn Coit a full scholarship offer to Division I Northern Illinois University where he played his sophomore and junior season in 2023 and 2024. He then received a full scholarship to Division I University of Kansas in 2025.

As a former junior college (JUCO) student athlete, Coit is eligible for an additional year of eligibility in 2025-26 thanks to a recent NCAA temporary waiver granted to former JUCO student-athletes who would have played their final eligible season in 2024-25. Atlantic Cape Community College is classified as a junior college.

Coit’s one and only season at Atlantic Cape was indeed memorable. He became the first Buccaneer to earn First-Team All-American honors while achieving in the classroom and working day-in and day-out to prepare himself for the next collegiate level both athletically and academically.

Several other Buccaneer student-athletes have received scholarship offers to Division II universities in the past couple of years:

• Mohammed Mbye, a native of Atlanta, GA, who played two seasons on the men’s basketball team, received a scholarship offer to Division II Livingstone University in Salisbury, NC.
• Angel Murray, a native of Pleasantville, NJ who played two seasons on the baseball team, received a scholarship offer to Bloomfield College of Montclair State University in Bloomfield, NJ.
• Justin Baxter, a native of Bamberg, SC who played one season on the men’s basketball team, also received a scholarship offer to Livingstone University.
• Kenny Allen, a native Pleasantville, NJ who played two seasons on the men’s basketball team, also received a scholarship offer to Livingstone University.
• Tyrese Myrick, a native of Willingboro, NJ who played one season on the men’s basketball team, received a scholarship offer to Miles College in Fairfield, AL and Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.

“As we keep building this program, the real win for me isn't just on the scoreboard it's in how many students we can help graduate. That's life-changing for their families and the student’s future. That's what matters the most to me,” concluded Edwards.

Atlantic Cape invites prospective student-athletes and their families to our Student Athlete Open House on Thursday, May 8, at 10 a.m. in the J-Building lobby on our Mays Landing campus. This is a perfect opportunity to meet our coaches and athletic staff, discover our range of competitive athletic programs, and learn about important student resources, such as financial aid and academic advising.

Don't miss the chance to explore what makes Atlantic Cape athletics special. Visit atlanticcape.edu/athletics for additional details and RSVP today at https://bit.ly/4312OUh. Free and convenient parking is available in Lots 3 and 4, located near the J-Building.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 46 undergraduate degree programs, and 32 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.