Southeast Christian College (SCC) is bringing the powerful blend of faith and athletics to life as it launches its inaugural college basketball season. This emerging program isn’t merely another addition to small-school sports; it represents a bold new chapter for a college driven by a Christ-centered mission. Rooted in values that inspire excellence both on and off the court, SCC’s basketball team is poised to make a lasting impact, uniting athletic ambition with a higher calling.

SCC’s basketball team, under the leadership of seasoned Head Coach Dwayne Walker, stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, not only for the athletes who will be wearing the school’s jerseys for the first time. As the college positions itself as a place where faith, leadership, and sportsmanship blend seamlessly, their motto — “Making disciples of all nations through a Christ-centered curriculum” — will be tested in real-time on the hardwood.

Southeast Christian College may be new to the college basketball scene, but its mission is anything but conventional. Rooted in the principles of faith-based leadership, SCC offers academic programs focused on Business, Ministry, and Education. Its curriculum is designed to create influential leaders who can impact the world and “cause the Kingdom of God to flourish,” according to the college’s mission statement.

“Our goal is to build leaders, to build disciples,” says coach Walker. “We’re not just training athletes or students; we’re raising up young men and women who can transform their communities for Christ.”

With its online-first program, Southeast Christian College offers students from across Central Florida and the globe the opportunity to earn their degree while staying engaged in their local faith communities. But for its athletic department, the basketball program represents the first tangible step into collegiate sports — a move that could eventually lead to other on-campus offerings and expanded community engagement.

Tasked with guiding the college’s first-ever men’s basketball team, Coach Dwayne Walker knows a thing or two about building from the ground up. The seasoned coach, who spent five years at both Liberty Christian Prep and Adventure Christian Academy in Tavares, Florida, has a proven track record. He led Liberty Christian to the CFACC runner-up finish in 2019-2020 and achieved his 150th varsity win during his tenure there.

“I’ve been blessed to coach at schools where faith and competition meet,” Walker said. “SCC is no different in that regard. But here, it’s bigger than basketball. It’s about laying the foundation for something greater — not just on the court but for these young men as disciples of Christ.”

Walker’s past success has already brought credibility to the new program, but the challenge is monumental. The college was unanimously approved for a basketball program which sometimes takes years to accomplish. After getting approved, SCC hired coach Walker who put together a competitive team in just three months. Despite the condensed timeline, Walker’s players are excited about what they’ve already accomplished and optimistic about what’s to come.

One of the key challenges for Walker was assembling a squad in record time, recruiting players who shared the vision of what SCC basketball could become. Within just 90 days, Walker put together a roster of players who are not only athletically talented but spiritually grounded.

Among those players is sophomore forward Marvin Windom, a Business Entrepreneurship major who grew up in Central Florida and played for South Lake High School in Groveland. For Windom, joining SCC wasn’t just about continuing his athletic career — it was about building something meaningful.

“This school is so important for the community,” Windom said. “I’m excited to be part of the first basketball team here, and it’s not just about basketball. It’s about representing something bigger than ourselves, something that can grow and really impact people’s lives.”

Windom isn’t alone in that sentiment. Javon and Lawrence Ruffins, brothers who joined the team after learning about SCC from their father, also feel a strong connection to the school’s mission. Javon a graduate student who transferred from Muskegon University, where he played football, sees SCC as a chance to return to his basketball roots while staying close to his family in Lake County.

“I wanted to be closer to home, to my family, and to my faith,” said Javon Ruffins. “SCC gives me that chance — to grow as a player and as a person. It feels like the right place to be.”

Lawrence Ruffins who is Javon’s older brother, echoed those sentiments, noting how important it was to play with a team that shares his values. “We’re not just a team, we’re brothers in Christ,” he said. “That’s what makes this special.”

Jayden Victor says of the team “Everything started somewhere. It’s a unique opportunity for us to do something special and I am so grateful to be a part of this journey.”

“Not only is it exciting to play college ball but to be part of something new, something that’s built on faith. I couldn’t ask for more,” he adds.

Southeast Christian College will face its first official test as a member of the New South Athletic Conference (NSAC), a competitive division where SCC will be the new kid on the block. One of the marquee matchups for the new team will be against Beacon College, marking the first time in the 21st century that two Lake County colleges will face off in men’s basketball.

Southeast Christian College will play at 10516 Treadway School Road in Leesburg, Florida.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for us,” Coach Walker said. “Not only because we’re competing against a local college, but because it gives our players a chance to show what they’re made of. We’re going to be challenged, but we’re ready for that.”

While SCC’s basketball program is still in its infancy, Walker believes the team can compete — and more importantly, grow. “This season isn’t just about wins and losses,” Walker explained. “It’s about laying the foundation for something lasting. We want to establish a culture of excellence, rooted in our faith, that future players and coaches can build on.”

Though SCC is currently an all-online institution, the college has big dreams for the future. One day, they hope to have on-campus programs in Leesburg and facilities that can host not just athletic events but provide students with a full collegiate experience.

“We’re starting small, but we’re thinking big,” says coach Walker. “There are plans to add women’s volleyball and men’s soccer for the 2025-2026 school year so that’s exciting. While we want to come out and win, this isn’t just about playing a game,” Walker said. “It’s about becoming the best versions of ourselves — as athletes, as students, and as followers of Christ.”

Photos: Matthew Gaulin