SWIC launches football program; local star Hankins Jr. chooses Illinois

Belleville’s college sports scene is heating up. Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) has confirmed it will launch a football program, with the first season kicking off in Fall 2027. The college is currently hiring a full-time head coach to lead the new Lancers squad, marking the first time SWIC has fielded a football team.

SWIC football: a new chapter

The move represents a major expansion of athletics at the Belleville-based community college. According to a report from 91x.fm and confirmed by the college, SWIC is actively recruiting for the head coaching position, signaling the program is on track for its 2027 debut. The addition of football gives local high school players a new pathway to continue playing at the college level without leaving the metro-east region.

Lancers basketball dominance

SWIC’s women’s basketball team set a high bar last season, finishing with a 32-1 record and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NJCAA national championship tournament, as reported by the Belleville News-Democrat. The program’s success underscores the athletic talent on campus, though no specific season-ending details for this week were provided in available sources.

Meanwhile, across the border at Loyalist College, both the men’s and women’s Lancers basketball teams advanced to the OCAA semifinals this past season. The Loyalist women’s team remained undefeated throughout the entire campaign, according to an MHSAA report.

Local stars commit to Division I

Belleville West High School star Nick Hankins Jr. made national headlines by committing to play college football for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Hankins Jr. chose Illinois over 24 other Division I programs, as reported by Yahoo Sports. His decision keeps a top local talent in-state and could inspire more Belleville athletes to aim for Power Four football programs.

In other local commitments, four 2025 Belleville High School graduates signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports. The graduates will attend schools including Madison College, Loras College, and UW-Superior, according to the Monroe Times. These signings reflect the depth of athletic talent emerging from Belleville’s high school programs.

What’s next

SWIC’s football program is still in its early stages, with the head coach hiring process underway. The Lancers will need to recruit players, build a schedule, and secure facilities before the Fall 2027 launch. For now, Belleville’s college sports momentum continues, driven by strong basketball performances and a pipeline of athletes moving to the next level.