History of Coastal Carolina University in Timeline

Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, South Carolina, began in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College. It was later affiliated with the University of South Carolina system as USC Coastal Carolina. In 1993, the institution achieved independence and became its own university.

1954: Establishment of Coastal Carolina Junior College

In 1954, Coastal Carolina Junior College was founded by the Coastal Educational Foundation as a two-year community college, operating as an extension of the College of Charleston.

1954: Coastal Carolina Junior College Founded

In 1954, Coastal Carolina University was founded as Coastal Carolina Junior College in Conway, South Carolina.

1958: Coastal Carolina Becomes Independent

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

1959: Creation of Horry County Educational Commission

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

1960: USC Coastal Carolina College Site Chosen

In 1960, the site for USC Coastal Carolina College was selected between U.S. 501 and S.C. 544.

1963: First Building Opens

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

1973: Addition of Third Year

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

1974: Addition of 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: Coastal Carolina Competes in NCAA Division I

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 known as "The Woods", opened.

1991: Seeking Independent Status

In 1991, with enrollment exceeding 4,000 students, the Coastal Educational Foundation and Horry County Educational Commission sought independent status for the school.

1992: Sunny Gupta Graduates

In 1992, Sunny Gupta, a software entrepreneur, graduated from Coastal Carolina University.

July 1, 1993: Coastal Carolina University Becomes Autonomous

On July 1, 1993, Coastal Carolina officially became an autonomous state institution named Coastal Carolina University, with Ronald R. Ingle as its first president.

1993: Coastal Carolina Becomes an Independent University

In 1993, Coastal Carolina University became an independent university after previously 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).

2003: Inaugural Football Game

On September 6, 2003, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team played its inaugural game against Newberry College at Brooks Stadium.

2004: 50th Anniversary and University Place Opens

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

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 HTC Recreation & Convocation Center opened, featuring a multi-purpose arena, bookstore, and recreation center.

2013: TD Bank Gives $5 Million Gift

In 2013, TD Bank gave Coastal Carolina University a $5 million gift.

September 2014: TD Sports Complex Renamed

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: Volleyball Team Wins Big South Conference Championship

In 2014, Coastal Carolina University's volleyball team won the Big South Conference Championship.

2014: Trustees Move to Purchase University Place

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

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 Big South Conference Championship Again

In 2015, Coastal Carolina University's volleyball team won the Big South Conference Championship for the second consecutive year.

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 at Coastal Carolina University events is "Maddox".

2016: CCU Wins First NCAA National Title

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

2016: Volleyball Team Wins Sun Belt Conference Championship

In 2016, Coastal Carolina University's volleyball team won the Sun Belt Conference Championship.

2017: Volleyball Team Wins Sun Belt Conference Championship Again

In 2017, Coastal Carolina University's volleyball team won the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the second consecutive year.

2017: Football Joins Sun Belt Conference

In 2017, Coastal Carolina's football program officially joined the Sun Belt Conference.

2019: College of Science Renamed Gupta College of Science

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 Accomplishments

As of 2020, the Coastal Carolina University men's soccer team had won 15 regular season and 16 conference tournament championships and played in 17 NCAA tournaments.

2020: Restructuring of Spadoni College of Education

In 2020, Coastal Carolina University announced the restructuring of the Spadoni College of Education by combining it with programs from other colleges.

2020: Rescheduling at Kimbel Library Due to COVID-19

In the Fall 2020 semester, Kimbel Library and Bryan Information Commons had to reschedule their 24/7 hours due to position cuts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 1, 2021: Michael T. Benson Begins Tenure

On January 1, 2021, Michael T. Benson began his tenure as the third president of Coastal Carolina University.

July 1, 2021: Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences Name Change

On July 1, 2021, the name of the college was changed to the Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences, with Dr. Holley Tankersley named as the first dean of the newly combined college.

2021: $10 Million Renovation Announced for Kimbel Library

In 2021, it was announced that the Kimbel Library would undergo a $10 million renovation that will include an interior redesign and reconfiguration, upgrades to the HVAC system, and a multi-function instruction area.

July 1, 2022: Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance Begins Operating

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