Molder to Take the Helm of CIU Women's Basketball

(Story provided by Columbia International Sports Communications)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Columbia International University (CIU) Interim Director of Athletics Stefan Vasiloff proudly announced the hiring of Mark Molder as the CIU women's head basketball coach on Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024. Molder comes to CIU after a short stint in the private sector following over a decade coaching for his alma mater, established fellow NAIA institution Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU). 

Molder spoke on his hiring saying, "First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me to be here today. I want to thank Dr. Jones, Dr. Christman, and Stefan Vasiloff for trusting me with this opportunity. Everyone I've met during the hiring process has been amazing and shown me the heart that CIU has for their students and the community as a whole."

While with the Eagles, Molder served in several different roles, including assistant men's basketball coach, head men's basketball coach, head women's basketball, and athletic director. 

Molder got his start in college athletics with OKWU, spending four seasons as the men's assistant, where he helped the Eagles to four NAIA Championship Tournament appearances, two NAIA Final Fours, and the 2009 NAIA Division II National Championship. In his time as the men's assistant Molder helped recruit and develop three NAIA Division II National Players of the Year. 

Molder then served as the head women's coach for OKWU from 2011 to 2014, the head men's basketball coach from 2014 to 2017, and then returned as the head women's coach from 2017 to 2019. 

While at the helm of the women's program, Molder led the Eagles to two NAIA Championship Tournaments and guided OKWU to their only Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) Championship in women's basketball program history. During his time as the Eagles women's coach, Molder was twice named the NCCAA Division I Central Region Coach of the Year as well as the MCAC Coach of the Year in 2013.

Molder's women's programs produced three NAIA All-Americans.

Further expressing his excitement about taking the reins of the Rams' women's basketball program, Molder remarked, "I am eager to join CIU and get to work. It is evident that CIU aligns perfectly with my desire to see the student body and athletes grow as individuals and in their faith, receive an amazing education, and pursue winning on and off the playing field. In my limited time on campus, it was very clear that CIU is a special place that is committed to the mission of providing students a Christ-centered education on and off the court."

On top of his coaching experience, Molder was a standout on the hardwood as a four-year player for OKWU, graduating with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science in 2000. Molder also holds an MBA from OKWU which he obtained in 2010. 

"First and foremost, Mark's passion for the mission of CIU will make him a real game-changer," said Vasiloff, "Being able to bring in someone of Mark's caliber will have an impact not only on the women's basketball program but also on our athletic department as a whole. We could not be more excited to welcome Mark as our next head women's basketball coach."

During Molder's time in higher education, he was deeply involved in both the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and other church-sponsored community events. 

Molder has been married to his wife Kandi for 25 years, and together they have twin sons, Grant and Cameron.