COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia International University Campus and community are in mourning as they say goodbye to their Director of Athletics, Darren Richie.
In a statement from the university, their leadership said:
“Richie was noted for encouraging spiritual growth among athletes, better moral conduct, and buy-in to each school’s Christian mission. While athletic departments under his leadership saw much success, his commitment to Christ-focused athletics had immeasurable impact.”
At just 58 years old, Richie’s programs appeared in over 30 NCCAA National Championships while winning six national titles. That success extended outside of the NCAA with 13 conference championship titles, 12 NCAA Division II championship appearances, nine NAIA championship appearances, and two NAIA national titles.
Most recently, Richie was in Florida supporting the CIU Rams women’s soccer team in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national tournament in late November, and while in Orlando, Richie contracted bacterial meningitis.
Dr. Helmut Albrecht, an infectious disease physician with Prisma Health, Director of the Clinical Research Unit at Prisma Health, and Director of Medical Disease Research and Policy, explains the severity of this illness.
“Menigis are the outer cell layer of the brain and the spinal cord and when these cells get infected we call that meningitis. It can cause serious problems as this case indicates, and about 1 in 7 people die from this,” Dr. Albrecht explained.
In discussing how he passed, the Columbia International University community, like the school’s assistant athletic director for Communications, Gordie Frierson, said he wants Richie to be remembered for who he is and not how he passed.
“When you came into his office he always had these one-liners that immediately something funny to just make you laugh, something that would make you feel comfortable, and probably just one of the most personable people I’ve ever met in my life,” Frierson said.
Columbia International University will have continued support for students on campus with more prayer services next week and a memorial that does not yet have a time and date.