MCCC Student Athlete Cybersecurity Majors

11/28/23

 

November 30^th is National Computer Security Day, which is a day to raise awareness about cybersecurity and help people maintain online security.  In honor of this day, MCCC Athletics will highlight three student athletes in one Mercer’s “newer” concentrations, Cybersecurity.  

 

The Cybersecurity concentration prepares students for jobs protecting computer systems and networks against cyber threats such as viruses, spyware, and intrusion by hackers.  Jobs in the Cybersecurity field involve designing, installing, and managing network control tools and other security mechanisms that protect computer systems from unauthorized access or data loss. A career is Cybersecurity is “part prevention and part critical response.”  Students who receive a degree in Information Systems Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity can enter careers as network security specialists, security administrators, and network security support engineers. Students in this concentration can enter jobs that protect computer systems and networks against cyber threats and intrusion by hackers.

 

Sophomore men’s basketball player Izaiah Johnson (Burlington, NJ/Burlington City), sophomore men’s lacrosse player Izzy Miranda (Tampa, FL/Tampa Catholic) and sophomore baseball player Colin Bernhard (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp. Memorial) are all Cybersecurity majors.  

 

Johnson averaged 18.9 points per game and started all 27 games for the Vikings in the 2022-23 season.  In addition to his scoring ability, Johnson averaged 5.3 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game and 2.37 steals per game.  Johnson earned 1^st Team All-Region 19 honors and 1^st Team All-GSAC (Garden State Athletic Conference) Honors.

 

Johnson finished in the top 50 in the nation (NJCAA Division II) in eight different categories.  Johnson was 16^th in steals (64), 21^st in total points (509), 30^th in games started (27), 31^st in three point field goals made (65), 35^th in points per game (18.5), assists (116) and free throws made (100).  Johnson also finished 39^th in the nation in total field goals made with 172 on the season. 

 

Johnson was selected to play in the NJCAA Rising Stars All-Star Game in Iowa in July.  Only 60 returning players were selected for the showcase and Johnson was the lone player from the Northeast selected.  This season, Johnson is averaging 12.8 points per game, 3.3 assists per game and 3.2 rebounds per game and has helped the Vikings to a 4-2 start.

 

Miranda earned 1^st Team All-Region 19 and GSAC honors last spring.  Miranda won 67 of 100 face offs this season, which was 10 ^th best in the nation.  Miranda had 50 ground balls (13^th best in the nation) and also had 2 goals and 1 assist.

 

Bernhard made 13 apperances on the Vikings mound last spring and finished the season with 31 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched.  Bernhard's best outing was a 7-strikeout, complete game win against Clark State in Myrtle Beach.

 

On and off the court and field, our student athletes are finding success and programs that interest them.  Good luck to Izaiah, Izzy and Colin as they pursue careers in Cybersecurity and continue their collegiate athletic careers!

 

To find out more about Cybersecurity or Information Systems Technology, visit: https://www.mccc.edu/cyber/