COLUMBIA, S.C. (courtesy columbiasc.edu) — 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 Koalas into the future.”
“We are very fortunate and excited to have such a talented team as we introduce our men’s athletic teams,” said Columbia College President Tom Bogart. “At this time, as the College grows, we’re thankful for the wealth of experience these leaders bring our student-athletes.”
The coaching appointments for Columbia College men’s athletics teams are as follows:
- Jon Sandy will serve as head coach for the Koalas’ inaugural men’s soccer team. Sandy’s coaching experience includes over seven years 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.
- Tom Mason, the college’s current women’s golf coach, will also coach the men’s golf team. Tom was elected to PGA Membership November 1996, and has worked as a golf professional and general manager at courses in Columbia. He 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.
- Justin Bishop has been appointed head coach of the men’s cross country team. In his current role of coach of Columbia College’s women’s cross county team, Bishop has guided 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 two duathlon national champions, one paralympic national champion, and one triathlon national champion. Bishop’s success includes coaching South Carolina Road Racing State Champions in the 5K, 15K, and half marathon distances.
- Eric N’Dri has been named head coach for men’s track & field squad. N’Dri is in his second year of coaching with the college’s women’s track and field team, working with sprinters focusing on the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and the 4×100 relay teams. N’Dri was a four-time Olympian and seven-time world champion where he represented his native country, Ivory Coast.