For nearly 60 years, sports has been a part of Holyoke Community College. 

In 1946, HCC was established as Holyoke Junior College with a total enrollment of 97 in three academic areas.  Dr. George Frost was the founding father of this city-sponsored institution.  Within 2 years the college began its basketball program with games against business schools, municipal jr. colleges, pharmacy schools and freshmen programs at the four-year level.  Student groups participated in other sports during the early years, however basketball was the prime sport that was recognized as "intercollegiate." It was not uncommon for HCC to play a preliminary game at Providence College, BU, UConn, Harvard, or at UMass.   Freshman teams were a big part of HCC's competitions until 1968, when "freshman eligibility" was voted into the NCAA By-Laws.  This diminished opportunities for 4-year students and increased it for two-year institutions. 

In 1964, HCC became a state, rather than a municipal institution of higher learning.   It was one of the 15 state community colleges within the Massachusetts public higher education system. 

In 1968, a group of Community College administrators gathered to initiate a "Conference" for the 15 Community Colleges.  The result was the "Massachusetts" Community College Athletic Conference" (MCCAC) which officially established in 1969 by the Massachusetts Board of Regional Community Colleges.  Men's and Women's Basketball, Baseball, and Softball were the first sports sanctioned by the conference.  Championships were held and policies and procedures to keep an even playing field were developed.   Tennis, cross-country, golf, ice hockey, soccer, lacrosse and even football were played by some of the 15 colleges. 

In 1971, HCC joined the "National Jr. College Athletic Association" (NJCAA) and participated in Region 3 - an area that ranged from Providence, RI to Buffalo, NY.  HCC students were selected to All Star teams in Basketball and Baseball and in 1971 the golf team finished 2nd in this large region.  The NJCAA, which dates back to 1938, is a national organization founded to promote and supervise sports and activities with educational objectives consistent with two-year colleges.  The Massachusetts Colleges gravitated to the NJCAA and adopted many policies and eligibility rules of that organization. 

In 1973, a separate Region (21) for New England two-year colleges split off from Region 3 in Upstate New York.  HCC and sister colleges were competing at both a conference level and at a regional level that provided students with opportunities to compete for national honors.  In the inaugural year of the NJCC Region 21, HCC finished second in the New England Championship for men's soccer and since then has continued to be a competitive institution in a variety of sports.

Since 1971,

• the baseball team has participated in post season play in 29 seasons

• men's and women's basketball have won state championships, in 2007 the women’s team won the State and New England Championship and competed in the NJCAA National Tournament finishing 8th Nationally.

• softball has won state, new england and competed in district championships

• women's soccer has competed in state and new england tournaments, , in 2007 the women’s team won NJCAA New England Championship.

• golf has won 8 new england championships and competed in national tournaments  on twelve occasions

• men's soccer has won nine state titles, 6 new England champion ships, and competed in district championships - in 1999 HCC finished 2nd in the nation and in 2000 the team was a "final four' team at the national level.

• Volleyball has won two new england championships

• tennis has won 5 new england championships and competed in national tournaments on 5 occasion's - in 2006 the team finished 8th in the nation

• in 2006 cross country returned for the first time since the 1970’s and competed in the National Championship

• throughout the years, HCC has hosted championships in baseball, soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, and softball. 

Today with more than 6,500 students enrolled in different degree programs in five academic divisions: Arts & Humanities, Business, Health Sciences, Science, Engineering and Mathematics; and Social Science.  The College continues to offer opportunities to participate and compete in intercollegiate sports.