Columbia (Mo.) Expands Athletics Offerings
Provided by the Columbia (Mo.) Athletic Department
Columbia, Mo. – In the fall of 2012 the Columbia (Mo.) athletic department doubled its sport offerings, from five varsity NAIA Championship sports to ten. By the academic year 2016-17 the Cougars will offer 15 varsity NAIA Championship sports with the addition of baseball and full indoor and outdoor, men’s and women’s track and field. The addition of track and field and re-instatement of baseball was officially announced today at the Cougar Club and Media Luncheon.
“We are very excited about continuing the expansion of intercollegiate athletic offerings at Columbia College,” stated athletic director and head men’s basketball coach Bob Burchard. “The addition of Track and Field and the re-instatement of Baseball will provide multiple opportunities for participation, balance our sport offerings, and generate enthusiasm on campus and in our community. We expect to attract quality student-athletes who are success oriented, goal driven, and committed to the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.”
Recruitment for track and field will begin immediately, with a goal of a full roster by 2016-17, under the helm of current head cross country and distance track coach Tim Cornell. Cornell has led the Cougars since 2012 when the cross country teams were added to the Cougar sport slate and has quickly turned into a national powerhouse with appearances at five out of a possible six National Championships thus far. Additional staff will be hired in the coming months to accommodate what will be the largest program for the Cougars.
“Three years ago, Columbia College gave me the opportunity to build a championship Cross Country team,” says Cornell. “Now, that vision is being expanded to include a full Track & Field team. Our vision is to build a championship caliber team, with Columbia College values as the core of our program. Expanding to a full Track & Field team will be a tremendous challenge, one that will make Columbia College and Columbia College athletics stronger in the future.”
Baseball is a long awaited sport to be brought back to the College. Following the institution turning co-ed in the 1970’s, baseball was a premier sport for the College. The team competed for roughly ten years from 1972-82 and was led by five different coaches during its time. Similar to now, the College did not have a field on campus and competed and practiced at the American Legion Field in Columbia.
“I believe Columbia College is raising the bar by committing to add Baseball and Track & Field to their intercollegiate sport offerings,” said Bruce Whitesides, baseball coach in 1978-79 and current Columbia Public Schools athletic director. “This commitment will help many area student athletes to continue their education while pursuing their desire to compete in a sport at a very high level.”
The College will work with the City of Columbia for practice and competition space over the next year and a half. Hiring of a head coach and staff will begin in the spring of 2015 which will allow the new staff a full year of recruiting before the first competition year in 2016-17.
"As a former student, baseball player, and speaking on behalf of my former teammates, I am truly excited about the national past time being re-instated at my alma mater,” stated John Haggerty, a 1979 graduate and 2013 Columbia College Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. “Missouri is a great baseball state, and the addition of this sport to our athletic program is a natural progression. I follow the Cougars with great pride, and marvel at the heights the athletic program has reached. I know with full support of the institutions administration, and under the departmental leadership of Bob Burchard and his outstanding staff, the baseball program will be competing at a high level in short order. I look forward to being an active supporter of the baseball program, and welcome their future spring training trips to the sunshine state so I can cheer the Cougars on!"
Currently the Cougar athletic department consists of 140 student-athletes competing in 10 varsity sports. The new sports will likely bring the department around 100 new student-athletes over the next two years and will give Columbia College the chance to fully compete in all sports sponsored by the American Midwest Conference.
“I can’t wait to welcome our newest athletes to campus,” exclaimed Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple. “We’re all looking forward to expanding the Cougar athletic program.”
