BABSON PARK, Fla. - Mr. Darren Richie has joined Webber International University as its Director of Athletics.

Richie last served at Colorado Christian University.  During his nearly ten-year tenure there as Director of Athletics, Mr. Richie raised over 3 million dollars for the athletics department, and led CCU to four RMAC Sportsmanship Cup wins, appearances in 12 NCAA National Tournaments, and appearances in over 30 National Christian College (NCCAA) National Tournaments with four National Championship wins. CCU athletes have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.2, a bit higher than the school's non-athletes.  He has, during his career as athletics director, been involved in both NCCAA and NCAA conference, regional, and national committee and leadership work. Prior to serving as Athletics Director, Mr. Richie had a 20-year college and high school coaching career in the sports of basketball, baseball and golf.  Mr. Richie holds a Bachelor of Arts from North Eastern Bible College with a double major in Education and Theology, and a Master of Arts in Education Curriculum and Instruction from Colorado Christian University.   He is married with five grown daughters.
 
Said Dr. Keith Wade, the University's President and CEO: "We did a national search which produced nearly 300 applications.  We had broad representation on the selection and interview committees including players, coaches, faculty members, association leadership and even former athletics directors.  We were thrilled to have been able to hire Darren – he has vision, he has direction, he has character, and he has a proven track record.  We think we've found exactly the right person for the job".
 
Mr. Darren Richie had this to say about his newly appointed position: "I am thrilled to be part of the Webber family as I can help lead the athletic department. Bill Heath has done an excellent job over the last decade in leading the Warriors. I want to thank Dr. Wade and the Administrative staff for the honor in serving at Webber International as the new Director of Athletics. We will strive for excellence as we create an great athletic department that serves the Student-Athlete and our community."
 
 Webber's intercollegiate sports include baseball(m), basketball, bowling, beach volleyball (w), football (m), golf, soccer, softball (w), tennis, track and field, triathlon, and volleyball.  Webber also has a marching band and a cheerleading squad.
 
Established in 1927 by Roger Babson as the first college chartered under Florida's then new charitable and educational laws and one of the first schools of business for women in the nation, Webber International University now educates men and women from over 50 different nations.  Students at Webber's Florida campus major in one of the many disciplines of business offered at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's level through traditional day, accelerated night and weekend, and entirely on-line formats.  Joining Webber as a branch campus in 2011, and featuring a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum, St. Andrews University was established by merger in 1961 but traces its roots back to the 1896 founding of its predecessor Flora Macdonald College. The University features highly qualified faculty, highly engaged staff, small class size, and a wide array of intercollegiate sports and other extracurricular activities.  The University has been recognized as a Princeton Review Best in the Southeast College, a US News and World Reports America's Best Colleges designee, and a GI Jobs America's Most Military Friendly School. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and several programs have earned additional programmatic accreditations.