Ana Oliver, director of athletics, has announced the addition of softball to Columbia College athletics. Softball will become the college's fifth intercollegiate sport, which currently sponsors women's basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.

The new softball program is scheduled to compete at the club level in the next academic year 2008-2009; the team will begin intercollegiate play in 2009-2010. Columbia College is a member of the NAIA and Southern States Athletic Conference.

Oliver said, "We are very excited to add softball to our program. The addition of a softball team will allow Columbia College to provide more opportunities than ever for young women to develop their leadership skills through intercollegiate athletics." The new softball field will be located adjacent to Younts Soccer Stadium. Construction is slated to begin by the end of the year.

Prospective players should contact recruiting coordinator April Raymer at araymer@colacoll.edu or 803.786.3193.