2016-2017
Founder and Chancellor, Dr. Pat Robertson's vision to bring intercollegiate athletics to Regent University came to fruition in the fall of 2016. That September, student-athletes gathered for the first-ever Regent University Track & Field practice. Led by Coach Ayanna Reece, the team trained throughout the year to prepare for their first competition as part of the 2016-2017 indoor season. After nearly six months of preparation, Regent University competed in their first regional meet at Christopher Newport University. Shot-putter, Quaneisha Roberts became the first Regent University student-athlete to participate in an intercollegiate athletic competition. During that same meet, Sarah Golden became the first Regent student-athlete to win an intercollegiate athletic competition by taking first place in the 400-meter race. To complete the historic year, Athletic Director Roger Cheeks led the way in securing Regent's membership to the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association).
2016-2017 New Additions:
Director of Athletics - Roger Cheeks
Men's & Women's Track & Field Head Coach - Ayanna Reece / Assistant Coaches – Timothy Wright
Strength and Conditioning Coach - Rodney Sanders
2017-2018
In August 2017, Regent University adopted the "Royals" nickname and created the intercollegiate athletics logo. The name "Royals" was inspired by 1 Peter 2:9 and chosen to represent our student-athletes' role as ambassadors of Regent University and the institutions' Christian mission. The athletic department added six teams that year, including: Men's and Women's Cross Country, headed by Coach Ayanna Reece; Men's and Women's Soccer, led by Coach Sam Okai; Women's Volleyball, led by Coach Roza Krasnova, and Cheerleading squad, led by Coach Hannah Harden. In late August, the Royals Men's and Women's Soccer teams played their inaugural games, with the men's team opening against Patrick Henry Community College and the women's team opening three days later at Eastern Mennonite University. Soon after, women's volleyball debuted against Ferrum College. Rounding out the exciting year, the cheer squad would open with an impressive first appearance by finishing in second place at the CCA (Christian Cheer Association) Nationals.
2017-2018 New Additions:
Men's & Women's Soccer Head Coach - Sam Okai
Women's Volleyball Head Coach - Roza Krasnova
Co-ed Cheerleading Head Coach - Hannah Harden
Men's and Women's Cross Country Head Coach - Ayanna Reece / Assistant Coaches - Denice Jamison, Gabriella Hill, Tony Gibson
2018-2019
The 2018-2019 season marked a year of growth as the athletic department continued to expand. In September, Regent University welcomed back alum, Dr. Samuel Botta as the new Director of Athletics. As one of his first initiatives, Dr. Botta introduced "Winning with Character" as the theme and mission of the future of Royals Athletics. The Royals also announced the addition of the men's and women's basketball programs. Coach Lee Cotton was selected to lead the men's team and Lisa Phillips was hired as the head coach for the women's team. On November 3, the men's and women's basketball teams traveled to Mount Vernon, Georgia, to play the first games in program history against Brewton Parker College. Regent Athletics was also pleased to bring aboard three new head coaches in 2018-2019. Former Olympic, World Cup, and FIFA star, Mercy Akide-Udoh was hired to lead the women's soccer program, while Kellie Kessler and Tina Howton led the women's volleyball and cheerleading teams respectively. The Royals had multiple student-athletes qualify for both the NCCAA Men's and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field National Championships for the first time in school history. Junior Marelly Balentina had an incredible performance at the championships. Marelly brought home three medals, winning gold in the javelin, silver in indoor shot put, and bronze in the discus. The women's volleyball team demonstrated what it means to be student-athletes in becoming the first Regent University athletic program recognized by the NCCAA as an All-Scholar Team.
2018-2019 New Additions
Director of Athletics - Dr. Samuel Botta
Women's Basketball Head Coach - Lisa Phillips
Men's Basketball Head Coach - Lee Cotton / Assistant Coach - Richard Pullen
Women's Soccer Head Coach - Mercy Akide-Udoh
Cheerleading Head Coach - Tina Howton
Women's Volleyball Head Coach - Kellie Kessler
Strength and Conditioning Coach - Quinton Boykins
2019-2020
It was an exciting and promising year in Royals Athletics as student-athletes and teams continued to improve and excel. The athletic department introduced a new tradition with the inaugural Royals Uniform Presentation Ceremony. This event marked the unofficial start of the athletic season and served to signify the honor and commitment Royals student-athletes take to represent Regent University. During this year, Dr. Samuel Botta assumed the additional role of men's basketball head coach. Men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball each finished their seasons with the best records in their respective programs' history. Senior Marelly Balentina continued excelling in her sport, earning her fourth medal at the NCCAA Track & Field Championships. Marelly won gold in the indoor shot put under the direction of new Track & Field Head Coach, Denice Jamison. In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the remainder of the spring athletic season. To end the sports season, Regent Athletics held a virtual awards ceremony to ensure that the achievements and accomplishments of Royals student-athletes did not go unrecognized.
2019-2020 New Additions:
Administrative Assistant - Don Davis
Men's Basketball Head Coach - Dr. Samuel Botta / Assistant Coach - Darrell Jackson
Women's Basketball Assistant Coach - Kyle King
Men's and Women's Track & Field and Cross Country Head Coach - Denice Jamison
Men's Soccer Assistant Coach – Caleb Hebb
Women's Soccer Assistant Coach – Jacob Pugh
Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach – Jordan Millis
Cheerleading Co-Head Coach with Tina Howton - Jennifer Gribble
Strength & Conditioning Coach - Quentin Myers
2020-2021
While the ongoing global pandemic halted the 2020-2021 athletic seasons, the athletic department and our student-athletes continued to press forward and develop. The Royals welcomed three new head coaches, including, Track & Field Coach, Cesar Guridy; Women's Volleyball Coach, Katelyn Totherow; and Women's Basketball Coach, Brian Wilson. The Athletic Department also added Administrative Assistant, Amy Pound and Sports Information Director, Patrick Dillon. In the spring of 2021, Dr. Botta instituted PSALM (Peer Student-Athlete Leadership and Mentorship), a discipleship and evangelistic ministry based on Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. The mission of PSALM is to equip student-athlete leaders to disciple and evangelize fellow student-athletes, other Regent students, and those outside the Regent University community. In a year that presented challenges and uncertainty, the annual Royals Athletic Award Ceremony was an exciting and encouraging way to celebrate the past and embrace the future.
2020-2021 New Additions:
Administrative Assistant - Amy Pound
Sports Information Director - Patrick Dillon
Men's and Women's Track & Field and Cross Country Head Coach - Cesar Guridy / Assistant Coaches – Ray Williams III, Joshua Schneider
Women's Volleyball Head Coach - Katelyn Totherow / Assistant Coach - Kelly Grice
Women's Basketball Head Coach - Brian Wilson
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach - Sam Hutchins
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach - Ray Storey
