Camden County College is excited to introduce Frederick Carella as our new Athletics Director. For Fred, this role is the realization of a long-standing career goal. When he came across the job posting, he knew he had to seize the opportunity.
“I felt an immediate connection with the search committee during the interview process and was inspired by their vision and plan for the Athletic Department in the years ahead,” he shared.
While this is his first time in the role of Athletics Director, working in a community college environment is not new to Carella. He has spent the past 23 years at Mercer County Community College, where he served in a number of capacities, culminating in the role of Coordinator of Academic Compliance and Advisement within the Athletic Department, as well as baseball head coach.
Building on his career at MCCC, Carella’s passion for the mission of community colleges has been a driving force throughout his professional journey.
“Community colleges create opportunities for people that otherwise would not have them, and allow more people to realize their goals and dreams,” said Carella. “Having worked in this setting for almost 25 years, I have seen first-hand how we can have a positive impact on people from many different backgrounds.”
Carella is ready to make an impact on not only the student-athletes, but the coaching and administrative staff that make up the athletics program, as well.
“We have a good foundation made up of great people and I am excited to help our staff achieve their career and personal goals,” Carella observed. “I want to help grow the department and provide our student-athletes with a first-class experience.”
Junior college athletics offer students the opportunity to further develop their talents while making the best financial and academic decision for their future. The importance of athletics at the junior college level isn’t lost on Carella.
“Playing junior college athletics allows athletes that may have been overlooked in high school to show what they are capable of and gives them a chance to grow, learn and refine their skills,” reflected Carella. “At CCC, they will receive excellent coaching on the field and instruction in the classroom to prepare them for their next steps.”
As Carella looks to build on CCC’s strong foundation, the athletics program already boasts remarkable achievements. The Men’s Soccer team recently secured the 2024 NJCAA Region 19 Championship, and placed third in the 2024 NJCAA DIII Men’s Soccer Championship, while the Women’s Tennis team has earned consecutive runner up finishes at the NJCAA DIII Women’s Tennis National Tournament in 2023 and 2024.
Over the years, numerous student-athletes across various sports have been named to All-American teams, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication. Notably, the CCC athletic program was also ranked third in the nation for the NJCAA Non-Scholarship Division during the 2019–2020 season, solidifying its reputation for excellence. A number of our student-athletes have also gone on to compete at NCAA DIII, DII, and DI institutions after getting their start at CCC.
“We have programs in place to allow all of our athletes to be successful and we are committed to increasing our efforts moving forward,” remarked Carella. “I want people to begin to understand what we have to offer and what we can do for them.”
Whether you are a student, parent/guardian, or coach, we invite you to learn more about our athletic programs by visiting the Athletics Office in the Papiano Gymnasium or visit the Athletics website.
