The Metro Sports Report has added Kirkwood Community College to the list of schools it covers on its sports website, the company announced Wednesday.

This is a new venture for the MSR, which was launched in January of 2011 as a website that specialized in the coverage of high school sports in Cedar Rapids and Marion. The company has always wanted to expand its coverage of local sports, however, and feels the time is right to include Kirkwood in its package.

"We are very excited about adding Kirkwood to the schools we cover," Metro Sports Report president Jim Ecker said. "The Eagles have one of the top junior college athletic programs in the country and we feel it's time they finally get the full attention they deserve."

The Metro Sports Report does not plan to make any changes in its coverage of the eight high schools in Cedar Rapids and Marion. Rather, the company plans to treat Kirkwood on an equal basis with year-round coverage of all its varsity sports.

"We are committed to providing extensive coverage of all eight high schools and now Kirkwood as well," Ecker said. "If anything, we plan to expand our coverage of the high schools as we continue to grow and prosper as a company."

The Metro Sports Report covers Jefferson, Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Marion, Prairie, Washington, Xavier and Cedar Valley Christian. And now Kirkwood.

Kirkwood has a total enrollment of 16,661 students at its nine locations in eastern Iowa, including 9,091 students at the main campus in Cedar Rapids, according to a report posted on the college website in September.

The two-year junior college has quality programs across the board in women's basketball, men's basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball and golf. The Eagles compete at the Division II level in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association).

Kim Muhl, beginning his 24th year with the Kirkwood women's basketball team, has compiled a 681-123 record with six national titles.

Doug Wagemester, starting his 15th year with the men's basketball team, has rolled up a record of 390-94, with nine trips to the national tournament and three second-place finishes. Wagemester also serves as the school's athletic director.

The volleyball team is ranked No. 4 in the country heading into the regional finals on Saturday. The golf team has been ranked 10th this year. The softball team went 43-13 last season. The baseball program was a big winner under former coach John Lewis and appears to be moving in the right direction again under new coach Todd Rima.

"We're looking forward to telling their stories and covering their games," Ecker said. "Our coverage begins today, with the tail end of another successful volleyball season and the start of the new basketball campaigns."

Both basketball teams will open their seasons Friday.

The Metro Sports Report has received 1,742,579 pageviews since it was launched 22 months ago. The website has had 611,541 total visits and 193,040 unique visitors, according to Google analytics through Wednesday night.

Most of the company's stories about Kirkwood will be posted on our main home page, along with our top stories about the high schools. Stories also will appear on the Kirkwood home page and on the six Kirkwood team pages.

The Metro Sports Report has added Kirkwood to the index of schools that appears at the top of the main home page, to the right of the list of high schools. Simply click on Kirkwood to reach the Kirkwood home page, then click on the "Select A Kirkwood Team" dropdown box to reach one of the Kirkwood team pages.

"There's not much on those pages yet, but there will be soon," Ecker promised. "We'll have game stories, features, columns, breaking news, pictures and statistics as we dive into this new project. We're confident you'll enjoy our coverage.

"In addition, we'll be seeking advertisements for the Kirkwood pages as a means to raise money and continue to grow. And we greatly appreciate the ads that we'll be receiving soon from Kirkwood Community College itself.

"As always, we welcome feedback from the community," Ecker said. "You'll find my contact information on the top right-hand side of the main home page. Please feel free to write or call."