COLUMBIA - After an extensive search, Columbia International University (CIU) Director of Athletics Darren Richie has announced the hiring of Mike Fitzpatrick as the fourth head women's basketball coach in program history. 

"Mike has three decades of coaching experience that he is bringing with him to our women's basketball program," said Richie, "He is extremely well-connected in the basketball world, and I think he is a great fit not only to lead our team on the court but also spiritually. I am looking forward to watching him create a championship culture here at CIU." 

Fitzpatrick has spent the last 30 years coaching basketball at the amateur and professional levels in Europe and Asia. Originally from Florida, he and his family moved to Örebro, Sweden, in 1993, where he coached Bro Basket of the Swedish Basketball League. Fitzpatrick then transitioned to Germany, where he spent time coaching at Frankfurt International School. While at FIS, he started a company running basketball academies across Europe. 

In 2001, Fitzpatrick moved to Japan, where he continued running his basketball academy business. He would follow his stint in Asia by returning to Europe and to professional basketball for his most recent coaching position at 1 FCK in Kaiserslautern, Germany, coaching a regional women's team.

Fitzpatrick completed his undergraduate degree in Business at Lipscomb University and has a Master's degree in Education from the University of South Florida. He and his wife, Susan, of 36 years, have two sons, a daughter, and a grandson.