Athletics
Deandre Leith adds to CIU legacy with more NCCAA championships
Senior takes first place in Discus and Shot Put
May 13, 2025
Athletics Stories
Athletics
Three CIU Rams are Individual Conference Track and Field Champs!
Meet the CIU AAC Track and Field Champs!
April 24, 2025
Alumni
Former Rams Softball Standout Lands General Manager Job for NC Baseball Team
By Bob Holmes Congratulations to Columbia International University alumna Lauren Baker. She is the new general manager of the Edenton Steamers, a collegiate-level summer baseball team in Northeastern North Carolina. Baker, who graduated from CIU in 2023 with a bachelor’s
March 20, 2025
Athletics
Will Kelly Sets CIU Basketball Record; Named Player of the Week
“It’s all thanks to God. I give Him the glory.” That’s what Columbia International University basketball standout Will Kelly told Columba TV station WACH FOX 57 after he set a home court record with 43 points in a 98-89 win
February 11, 2025
Athletics
CIU Women’s Volleyball takes the conference title — Again!
November 12, 2024 The CIU Rams women’s volleyball team won its fourth consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Regular-Season Championship by sweep Reinhardt (Ga.) 25-23, 25-15, 25-21. It is the Rams’ third straight outright regular-season crown, as they shared the honor
November 12, 2024
Athletics
Rams volleyball drawing media attention with 19-1 season start
October 9, 2024 The winning ways of the No. 23-ranked CIU Rams volleyball team is getting attention these days. The Rams have a 15-game win streak and a record of 19-1 and 9-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The team
October 9, 2024
Men’s golf wins second consecutive NCCAA South Region title while setting a program record
September 25, 2024
September 25, 2024 CIU men’s golf seized their second consecutive National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region title. On top of reeling in the hardware, the Rams mastered the greens at the Bartram Trail Golf Course in Evans, Georgia in September, shattering the 18-hole CIU team score record-low, posting
New director of track and field and cross country comes with solid resume
September 3, 2024
September 3, 2024 Columbia International University’s new director of track and field and cross country brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success both at the high school and collegiate levels. Benny Morgan joins CIU from Wilson High School in Florence, South Carolina where he was
Sport Management: Dr. Whitaker’s Exciting Journey to Malta
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 Dr. James Whitaker, a distinguished professor in CIU’s Sport Management program, recently embarked on an inspiring journey to Malta, joining the Go Sport leadership team from North America. This trip wasn’t just another conference — it was a global gathering of sports ministry leaders from over 30
CIU Rams named Champions of Character
August 7, 2024
August 7, 2024 The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) named Columbia International University a Five-Star Champions of Character® Institution at the Gold Level. The Rams were among 107 NAIA institutions to achieve a perfect score of 100 for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Five-Star Champions of Character designation represents
Multi-Sport athlete giving women’s basketball a boost
January 4, 2024
January 4, 2024 Bethany Rymer is making headlines in her hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina. The guard for the CIU Rams women’s basketball team didn’t start her college career with the goal of playing basketball. As a matter of fact, the nursing major, who was a basketball standout in high
CIU Athletes recognized as Champions of Character
September 11, 2019
The CIU Rams not only play like champions, they are Five Star Champions of Character. The Rams earned the designation from The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). NAIA member schools earn points for the designation in a variety of ways. The most points are accumulated through character training and
Modern hi-tech press box is new addition to soccer field
August 1, 2019
The new press box overlooking Sessions Field includes a photo of Elizabeth Sessions from 2016 at the dedication of the field. A new 22-foot press box at Sessions Field will streamline sports information and game operation for CIU soccer. It features a climate-controlled space with high-speed internet, scoreboard control console,
A summer of worldwide impact through athletics
July 29, 2019
The CIU volleyball team on their way to Spain (left to right: Emma Munday, Coach Amber Haver, Tyliahia Williams, Megan Lung, Ashley Evans, Graycie Michelson, Mary Hockenberry). Columbia International University softball, volleyball and women’s soccer made an impact with the message of Christ in three different parts of the world
200 Columbia-Area youth hear the gospel at Hoop for Hope camp
July 11, 2019
Columbia-area youth take part in the Hoop for Hope camp. (Photos by Kierston Smith) CIU Rams learn to “coach” youth on basketball and life By Bob Holmes Columbia International University Assistant Athletics Director Kim Abbott says this was the plan for CIU athletics from Day 1. As Abbott stood on
Local celebrities, dignitaries join other CIU supporters for day of golf
May 13, 2019
The winning foursome included two members of the CIU golf team: Kyle Olenchuk and Jordan Hinson in the CIU polo shirts. Joining them were Joshua Lusk and George Lusk. (Photos by Kierston Smith) By Bob Holmes As Columbia International University President Dr. Mark Smith finished an opening prayer at the
