Sponsored: Compete At The Next Level Tuition-Free At CCBC

March 31, 2026March 31, 2026 Sponsored Content Post CCBC

This article was provided by the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC).

For many families of student-athletes, the road to college involves more than choosing a school — it’s about finding the right balance between academics, athletics and affordability. At the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), students are discovering they don’t have to sacrifice opportunity to keep costs manageable. Through a combination of scholarships, financial aid and programs such as the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship, many CCBC students are able to attend tuition-free at one of three campuses in the county.

That affordability can be especially meaningful for student-athletes who want to continue competing while building a strong academic foundation.

Kumari Hurd found exactly that opportunity at CCBC. As a member of the CCBC Essex men’s lacrosse team, Hurd is able to play the sport he loves while pursuing his college education. Balancing practices, games and coursework takes commitment, but Hurd says the experience has helped him stay focused both on and off the field.

“CCBC gave me the chance to keep playing the sport I love while also focusing on my education,” Hurd said. “It’s helped me stay on track academically and athletically.”

For parents and coaches, CCBC offers more than affordability; it offers competitive athletics. CCBC Catonsville, Essex and Dundalk compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and are part of Region 20 and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, where teams regularly face some of the top two-year programs in the Mid-Atlantic. Over the years, CCBC teams have earned 19 NJCAA national championships and frequently advance to national tournaments.

Each year, roughly 350 student-athletes compete in CCBC programs, gaining valuable experience that prepares many of them to transfer to four-year universities and continue their athletic careers.

For athletes like Hurd, the opportunity at CCBC is about more than wins and losses. Competing at the collegiate level builds discipline, leadership and teamwork, skills that carry from the field into the classroom and beyond. With a solid academic foundation and strong athletic experience, Hurd is preparing to transfer to a four-year university, where he plans to continue playing lacrosse on scholarship and pursue his long-term goals.

By removing financial barriers while maintaining strong athletics, CCBC is helping student-athletes take the next step toward both their academic and athletic goals.