Columbia International University Athletics Director Darren Richie will be inducted into the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Hall of Fame in June.

With over 30 years of service to student-athletes and coaches, Richie has a love and passion for Christian higher education and has dedicated his career to pursuing godly excellence within the arena. He came to CIU in 2020 after serving as AD at Colorado Christian University and Webber International University. 

Richie has seen his programs win seven NCCAA National Championships, two NAIA National Championships and appear in over 50 NCCAA, NAIA, and NCAA Division II national tournaments. He also worked hard to implement chaplaincy programs and mission/service trips into the DNA of his departments. 

Richie says it has been a tremendous blessing to have worked for multiple universities affiliated with the NCCAA.

"The NCCAA helps cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to live out and grow in their faith through college athletics,” Richie said. “I am thankful to have been a part of creating these opportunities and have greatly enjoyed seeing lives changed and relationships formed. It is a great honor to be recognized, and I am excited to continue to watch young men and women conform to the image of Christ through college sports." 

Richie will officially be inducted at an NCCAA Hall of Fame dinner on June 1 during the NCCAA Annual Convention being held in Greenville, S.C.

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