Orange Coast College will expand its athletics department this spring, adding badminton to the list of intercollegiate teams. The new program gives the Pirates an even two dozen (24) teams.

"I'm very excited that we are able to add another program here at Orange Coast College," athletic director Jane Hilgendorf said. "The badminton team will provide another great opportunity for women to compete at OCC."

Women's soccer coach Barbara Bond will coach the program. Bond is no stranger to developing a successful program at Coast. In 1981, she guided the women's soccer team in its inaugural season. Three years later, she led the Pirates to a perfect 10-0-0 finish in South Coast Conference play and in 1989, Bond coached the squad to a state title.

Now a member of the Orange Empire conference, the women's soccer program remains one of the best in the state.

Bond has started to recruit athletes to play for the Pirates and hopes to have about 15 members on the team. She said extensive badminton experience is not necessarily required, and she has hired an assistant coach to help the athletes develop their skills.

Todd Aubin, who went through Coast's athletic training program and is finishing his education at Cal State Fullerton, will serve as the Pirates' assistant.