COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia International University Athletics celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes on Sunday, April 26, at the annual Rammys, an event recognizing excellence in competition, academics, leadership, and ministry throughout the 2025-26 athletic year.

The evening's highest honors highlighted some of the most accomplished and influential student-athletes in CIU Athletics.

The Darren Richie Female Senior Athlete of the Year Award was presented to Lydia Gustafson of women's volleyball and track & field. Gustafson concluded one of the most decorated careers in CIU history as a standout dual-sport athlete. On the volleyball court, she earned NCCAA All-American and All-Conference honors while becoming the program's all-time leader in career blocks. On the track, Gustafson also excelled in the high jump, earning All-AAC and NCCAA All-American recognition while setting the school record in the event.

The Darren Richie Male Senior Athlete of the Year Award went to Collin Otte of baseball. Otte leaves CIU as one of the most accomplished pitchers in program history and is widely regarded as the top reliever the Rams have ever produced. The senior right-hander finished his career among the program leaders in multiple pitching categories and posted another dominant season in 2026 with six wins, three saves, a 3.54 ERA, and a career-high 62 strikeouts over 53 innings pitched.

The Darren Richie Award honors the senior male and female student-athletes who not only excel in their sport but also demonstrate leadership and impact across the university community outside their field of competition. The award is named for former CIU Director of Athletics Darren Richie, who passed away in 2023.
 

The night's most prestigious honor, the Kim Abbott Award for Excellence, was awarded to Kelcey Mangum of women's volleyball. The Kim Abbott Award is presented annually to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the core values of CIU Athletics: spiritual growth, academic achievement, servant leadership, and competitive excellence. The award is named in honor of CIU's first athletic director, Kim Abbott, and represents the highest distinction given to a CIU student-athlete.

Mangum caps her career as one of the most accomplished players in CIU volleyball history. A four-time conference champion and the program's all-time leader in career digs, Mangum served as a captain and key leader during one of the most successful eras in program history.
 

"I feel so blessed and honored to receive this award," Mangum said. "It truly shows how much God has worked in my life and changed me not only in athletics but as a person. This award is not for me but for Him and for His glory."

2026 Rammys Award Winners

• Play of the Year — Will Kelly

• Most Outstanding Performance — Abby Ragan

• Game of the Year — Track & Field at AAC Indoor Championships / Men's Basketball versus Ohio Christian at NCCAA Championship Tournament

• Team of the Year — Women's Volleyball

• Freshman of the Year — Eevy Bellar / Nate King

• Newcomer of the Year — Eli Musgraves

• Team Ministry Award — Women's Soccer

• Most Valuable Player — Luke Hammond / Lohrane Boaventura

• Darren Richie Female Senior Athlete of the Year — Lydia Gustafson

• Darren Richie Male Senior Athlete of the Year — Collin Otte

• Kim Abbott Award for Excellence — Kelcey Mangum

Each team was also represented by one Impact Award winner