Bio

Joshua Kiper is currently in his 9th season as the Head Soccer Coach for the Fighting Koalas.

Kiper has seen steady growth throughout his tenure at the helm of the Koalas program, with the team consistently breaking new ground in records, achievements, and awards.  After inheriting a program that had not had a winning record for years, Kiper used the first few years of his leadership to begin to build a program and welcome recruits who contributed to steadily more successful seasons.  In 2011 in his first year of a completely Kiper recruited team, the team won 10 games for the first time, achieved a winning record of 10-7-4, and reached the AAC conference championship game, a first for any program at Columbia College.  Since then, the team has consistently had double figures in wins and finished well above a .500 record. 

Under his guidance, the team has also been recognized with individual awards, including a NAIA National Player of the Week, Conference Freshman of the Year, and multiple first team all conference players in 2013.  The program has gone from relative anonymity to having players recognized on the state, regional, and national level.

Joshua noted, “I believe that my experience at a small college, coupled with the diversity and camaraderie of the players that we recruit, allow us to have such a successful and recognizable program and experience for the players.”

Kiper graduated from Southern Wesleyan University as a four year starter and career record holder in assists. While competing for the Warriors, he was also named to the all-conference team for what is now the Southern States Athletic Conference and multiple all-region teams. Despite interest from division-1 schools, he decided to attend SWU because of the numerous small-school advantages he felt would be more beneficial to him in the long run and throughout his career. He also graduated from Southern Wesleyan with four Bachelor of Science Degrees in Business Administration, Accounting, Recreation, and Sports Management. Kiper also has professional playing experience with Mexican representative teams.  He received his advanced national coaching diploma from the NSCAA in 2009, after gaining his national coaching diploma in 2007.

Kiper came to Columbia College from Florida, where he coached high school from 2005-07. In his last year, Kipers’ leadership resulted in a showing in the regional finals of the state tournament. Kiper has 15 years of coaching experience combining college, club, and high school coaching, while also having served as the Plant City YMCA Program Director.

Joshua resides in West Columbia, SC with his wife Shena and their children Joshua, Jaxon, Jordyn and Jenna.