February 12, 2021 | Men's Volleyball
Men's Volleyball coming to CIU in 2021-2022 academic year
COLUMBIA, S.C – Columbia International University (CIU) will be adding to its growing athletic department as CIU Director of Athletics Darren Richie reported that the Rams will add men's volleyball. The new sport will have its first season of competition in the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.
"I am very pleased with the addition of another varsity sport and I am happy to offer our fans and students another team that they can support and enjoy watching." said Richie.
The CIU men's volleyball program will compete in the NAIA and NCCAA. Currently, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) does not sponsor men's volleyball but plans to add the sport in the near future. Collegiate men's volleyball competes in the spring semester and features a fast pace of play while showcasing players' athleticism. A national search for the CIU's first-ever men's volleyball coach will begin immediately.
This will be the fifth sport started under the leadership of CIU President Dr. Mark Smith. During the 2018-2019 school year, Smith started women's volleyball and softball while CIU baseball played their first year of competition just last year in the spring of 2020. Smith also reinstated the CIU men's golf program in 2018.
"I love athletics and our student-athletes," said Smith. "Starting men's volleyball is just one more way we have seen CIU grow expediently over the last three years."
With the recent addition of Esports and men's volleyball CIU now offers 14 varsity sports and several junior varsity programs.
For more information on the men's volleyball coaching search or if you are interested in joining the men's volleyball team, contact Darren Richie at darren.richie@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5004.
