Columbia Announces the Addition of Men's & Women's Lacrosse for 2025-26
January 8, 2025
(Story provided by Columbia Sports Communications)
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a groundbreaking expansion of its athletic programs, Columbia College is thrilled to announce the addition of men's and women's lacrosse teams, with competition set to begin in February 2026. This marks a significant milestone for Koala Athletics as the college continues to grow its legacy of excellence and opportunity in sports.
"This is an incredible moment for Koala Athletics," said Glen Crawford, Director of Athletics. "Adding men's and women's lacrosse allows us to elevate our athletics program while bringing more energy and enthusiasm to our campus. Lacrosse is a fast-growing sport with a passionate following, and we're proud to join this movement right here at Columbia College."
Columbia College has built a strong tradition of athletic achievement, with numerous teams earning regional and national recognition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). By introducing lacrosse, Columbia aims to enrich the student experience, promote athletic diversity, and strengthen its sense of community pride.
"Columbia College is in a transformative era," said Dr. John Dozier, President of Columbia College. "Expanding our athletics program reflects our commitment to growth and opportunity. Students, faculty, and alumni are eager for new ways to connect and celebrate together, and lacrosse will infuse fresh spirit and momentum into our campus life. We can't wait to see the impact of these teams on our community."
To lead the lacrosse programs, Columbia College has hired two seasoned coaches, both with exceptional records of success:
- Tom Kinney has been named the first-ever head coach of the men's lacrosse team. Kinney joins Columbia College from Raleigh, NC, where he served as the assistant men's lacrosse coach at NCAA Division III William Peace University during the 2023-24 season, specializing in offensive and special teams. Prior to that, Kinney worked at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC, where he excelled in recruiting and coaching goalies from 2021 to 2023.
- Mallory Bahr will lead the Lady Koalas as the head coach of the women's lacrosse program. Bahr comes to Columbia College after a two-year tenure as head coach at Lake Erie College (OH) from 2023 to 2024. She also launched the women's lacrosse program at Spalding University (KY) in 2020, successfully establishing the foundation for a new NCAA Division III program. Her coaching career includes impressive stints at Johnson & Wales University (CO) and Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN), where she guided teams to strong records and developed several All-American athletes.