History of Coastal Carolina University in Timeline

Coastal Carolina University is a public university located in Conway, South Carolina. Established in 1954, it initially functioned as Coastal Carolina Junior College before affiliating with the University of South Carolina System as USC Coastal Carolina. The institution gained independence and became its own university in 1993.

1954: Coastal Carolina Junior College Founded

In 1954, Coastal Carolina Junior College was founded. Later, it joined the University of South Carolina System as USC Coastal Carolina.

1958: Coastal Carolina Becomes Independent

In 1958, after the College of Charleston contract expired, Coastal Carolina became an independent community college supported by Horry County.

1959: Horry County Educational Commission Created

In 1959, the Horry County Educational Commission was created to oversee the college's county tax money.

1960: USC Coastal Carolina Site Chosen

In 1960, the site of the present-day campus, known as USC Coastal Carolina College, was chosen on a plot of land between U.S. 501 and S.C. 544.

1963: First Building Opens

In 1963, the campus' first building, later named the Edward M. Singleton Building, opened.

1973: School Adds Third Year

In 1973, Coastal Carolina added a third year to its curriculum.

1974: School Adds Fourth Year

In 1974, Coastal Carolina added a fourth year to its curriculum.

1977: Kimbel Library Opens

In 1977, the Kimbel Library opened, providing research collections and resources to support students, faculty, and the surrounding community.

1983: Athletic Programs Join Big South Conference

From 1983, Coastal Carolina's athletic programs competed in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big South Conference.

1987: First Residence Halls Open

In 1987, the first residence halls (currently "The Woods" residence halls) opened.

1991: Independent Status Sought

By 1991, enrollment had grown to over 4,000 students, leading the Coastal Educational Foundation and Horry County Educational Commission to seek independent status for the school.

1992: Sunny Gupta Graduates

In 1992, Sunny Gupta, a software entrepreneur and donor, graduated from the University.

July 1, 1993: Coastal Carolina University Becomes Autonomous

On July 1, 1993, Coastal Carolina officially became an autonomous state institution under the name Coastal Carolina University, in a bill signed into law by South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell.

1993: Coastal Carolina Becomes an Independent University

In 1993, Coastal Carolina became an independent university after being part of the University of South Carolina System.

1993: Chanticleer Remains Mascot

In 1993, when Coastal Carolina became an independent university, the Chanticleer remained the school's mascot.

2003: CCU Student Housing Foundation Created

In 2003, the CCU Student Housing Foundation was created as a nonprofit corporation to manage student housing facilities.

2003: Football Team Begins Play

In 2003, the Coastal Carolina football team began play in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

2004: 50th Anniversary and University Place Opens

In 2004, Coastal Carolina University celebrated its 50th anniversary; the same year, enrollment reached 7,000 students, and CCU opened the first phase of the University Place housing complex.

2009: Chanticleer Rugby Club Wins National Championship

In 2009, the Chanticleer Rugby club won the Small College National Championship and the NSCRO Men's Division III Rugby tournament.

2012: HTC Recreation & Convocation Center Opens

In 2012, the LEED-certified HTC Recreation & Convocation Center opened, featuring a multi-purpose arena, bookstore, and recreation center.

2013: TD Bank Gives CCU $5 Million Gift

In 2013, TD Bank gave CCU a $5 million gift.

September 2014: Sports Facilities Renamed TD Sports Complex

In September 2014, Coastal Carolina University officially renamed its sports facilities as the TD Sports Complex.

2014: First Doctoral Program Established

In 2014, Coastal Carolina University established its first doctoral degree program, in coastal and marine science systems science.

2014: University Trustees Purchase University Place

In 2014, the university's trustees moved to purchase University Place from the CCU Student Housing Foundation.

2014: Volleyball Team Wins Conference Championship

In 2014, the volleyball program won the Big South conference championship.

September 1, 2015: Coastal Carolina Announces Move to Sun Belt Conference

On September 1, 2015, Coastal Carolina announced it would leave the Big South Conference to transition to FBS-level football and the Sun Belt Conference.

2015: Volleyball Team Wins Conference Championship

In 2015, the volleyball program won the Big South conference championship.

July 1, 2016: Chanticleers Join Sun Belt Conference

On July 1, 2016, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers athletic programs officially joined the Sun Belt Conference.

2016: "Maddox" Becomes Live Mascot

As of 2016, the live rooster mascot is "Maddox".

2016: CCU Wins First NCAA National Title in Baseball

In 2016, Coastal Carolina University won its first NCAA national title in baseball at the College World Series in Omaha, winning against the University of Arizona.

2016: Volleyball Team Wins Conference Championship

In 2016, the volleyball program won the Sun Belt conference championship.

2017: Football Joins Sun Belt Conference

In 2017, the Coastal Carolina football team joined the Sun Belt Conference.

2017: Volleyball Team Wins Conference Championship

In 2017, the volleyball program won the Sun Belt conference championship.

2019: College of Science Renamed

In 2019, the College of Science was renamed the Gupta College of Science in recognition of a major donation by Sunny Gupta.

October 2020: Michael T. Benson Appointed President

In October 2020, Coastal Carolina University announced the appointment of Michael T. Benson as its third president and ninth leader.

2020: Men's Soccer Team Achievements

As of 2020, the men's soccer team has won 15 regular season and 16 conference tournament championships. They have played in 17 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Sweet 16 five times.

2020: Restructuring of Spadoni College of Education Announced

In 2020, the university announced that it would be restructuring the Spadoni College of Education by combining it with programs from the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts, as well as the Gupta College of Science.

2020: Library and Commons Rescheduling

In Fall 2020, the library and commons buildings had rescheduling necessary due to position cuts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 1, 2021: Michael T. Benson Begins Tenure as President

Michael T. Benson began his tenure as the third president and ninth leader of Coastal Carolina University on January 1, 2021.

July 1, 2021: Spadoni College Name Changed

On July 1, 2021, the name of the college was changed to the Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences.

2021: Kimbel Library Renovation Announced

In 2021, it was announced that the Kimbel Library would undergo a $10 million renovation.

July 1, 2022: Conway Medical Center College Begins Operations

On July 1, 2022, the Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance began operating, supported by a $10 million donation from Conway Medical Center.