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Columbia Announces Appointment of Men's Athletic Teams Coaching Staff

Columbia Announces Appointment of Men's Athletic Teams Coaching Staff
December 1, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As Columbia College prepares for the introduction of their first men's athletic teams in Fall 2021, the College has officially announced the appointment of their men's coaching staff.

"The leadership and range of experience among this group will be a great asset as we build on the success of our student-athletes and our programs' competitiveness," said Debbie Wardlaw '84, Columbia College Athletic Director. "Each member of this coaching staff is the right decision at the right time to lead our Koala's into the future."

The new appointments are as follows:

  • Jon Sandy as head coach for the Koala's inaugural Men's Soccer team. Sandy has a 7+ year coaching career in university athletics at Bob Jones University where he was integral in building and growing the Men's Soccer program that won the 2016 NCCAA National Championship, as well as graduating several Athletic and Academic All-Americans.
  • The College's current Golf coach, Tom Mason, will expand his responsibilities to include being head coach for Men's Golf. Tom was elected to PGA Membership in November of 1996 for over 20 years has worked as a Golf Professional and General Manager at courses in Columbia. Mason has worked actively with the South Carolina Golf Association, the Midlands Golf Course Owners Association, and the Midlands and Carolinas Golf Course Superintendent's Associations to help build healthy working relationships with both the Carolinas PGA and the South Carolina PGA Chapter in order to grow the game of golf.
  • Justin Bishop has been appointed as head coach of the Men's Cross Country team. Bishop will continue to serve in his role as head coach of Women's Cross Country where he has guided his athletes at the USATF club level to 11 USATF Masters National Championships across the 5000 meters, steeplechase, 4x800m relay, shot put, super weight-throw, and pentathlon events. He's also coached 2 Duathlon, 1 Paralympic, and 1 Triathlon National Champions, along with South Carolina Road Racing State Champions in the 5K, 15K, and half marathon distances.
  • Eric N'Dri, has been appointed as head coach for Men's Track & Field. N'Dri has already been coaching at the College through his work with sprinters focusing on the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dash and 4x100 relay teams—setting a new school record during last season. N'Dri was a 4-time Olympian and 7-time world champion where he represented his native country, Ivory Coast.

"We are very fortunate and excited to have such a talented team as we introduce our men's athletic teams. At this time, as the College grows, we're thankful for the wealth of experience these leaders bring our student-athletes," states Dr. Tom Bogart, Columbia College President.