Wiley University announces the expansion of the Department of Athletics with the return of softball next spring, and the appointment of Kendrick Biggs as interim coach.
Softball will be a club sport for the 2024-25 school year and be upgraded to varsity in 2025-26 – after which the team will compete in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference, currently known as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
Wiley previously offered softball from the 1980s until the early 2000s. In 1981, Wiley University’s softball team won the Interregional Athletic Conference title and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District VII title. It clinched a berth in the first NAIA World Series.
“I think the return of softball is an exciting opportunity for the university and potential players,” Biggs said, who is in his 11th year on the Wiley University coaching staff. “I’m looking forward to recruiting students from Texas, Louisiana, the nation, and the world for our women’s softball team, especially from Texas. The first year gives us an opportunity to build a really strong team, and help students chase their dreams of playing a collegiate sport.”
Biggs, who is in his eighth season as head baseball coach and 11th on the Wiley University coaching staff, will continue to lead the baseball team while restarting the baseball program.
“We are on a roll with this latest athletic addition,” said Biggs. “Wiley University continues to invite students who want to continue their sports careers while completing their higher education degree. Coach Biggs transformed the baseball program, contended for the GCAC title last season, and led the conference this year. Most of all, he is willing to do whatever is necessary for our department to succeed.”
Softball is scheduled to become the 13th varsity sport and the seventh women’s sport at Wiley University.
Courtesy: Wiley College Athletics
