The new CIU Rams head women's basketball coach brings 30 years of international coaching experience to Columbia. He is Mike Fitzpatrick who comes to CIU after an extensive search by Athletics Director Darren Richie.

"Mike is extremely well-connected in the basketball world, and I think he is a great fit not only to lead our team on the court but also spiritually,” said Richie. “I am looking forward to watching him create a championship culture at CIU."

Fitzpatrick has coached basketball at the amateur and professional levels in Europe and Asia. In Japan he founded his own basketball academy. His most recent coaching position was in Kaiserslautern, Germany, coaching a regional women's team.

Fitzpatrick replaces  Danielle Fleming who left CIU in May to become head coach of Pennsylvania Western University Clarion, an NCAA Division II school.

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