COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Columbia university is mourning the sudden loss of its athletic director, who contracted an illness while traveling with a university team.
According to a statement from Columbia International University, Athletic Director Darren Richie died on Friday at 58 after being hospitalized in Orlando, Florida. The university said Richie was traveling with the Rams women's soccer team for a national tournament in late November when he contracted bacterial meningitis, described as a sudden inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
The university said there was no danger to the team, who returned to Columbia on Thursday.
"Our administration was in contact with DHEC," a spokesperson said. "They determined that this bacterial version was not contagious."
According to the university, Richie was recently named to the National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) Hall of Fame after serving 16 years as an athletics director at multiple universities, including Webber International University and Colorado Christian University. He also had 13 NCCAA conference championship titles, 12 NCAA Division II championship appearances, nine NAIA championship appearances and two NAIA national titles.
"Darren dedicated his passion, energy, and expertise to our athletics program, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues alike," CIU Interim President Dr. Rick Christman said. "More importantly, he loved and served his Savior, Jesus Christ, and worked to point others to Him."
The university said a memorial service is being planned and will be held at the campus. The university added that an interim director will be named at a later date.