Women’s wrestling, one of the fastest-growing sports in the NCAA, will become Columbia University's 32nd varsity sport beginning for the 2027-28 academic year.
“Elevating our existing club team to varsity status reflects both the momentum of the sport and Columbia’s commitment to providing opportunities for elite student-athletes to compete at the highest level.” Campbell Family Director of Athletics Peter Pilling said.
Emma Randall, who led the program to a National Runner-Up title at Club Nationals for the 2025-2026 academic year, will begin her official role as the program's head coach on July 1.
“This moment is incredibly meaningful. It was built through years of belief, consistency and community,” Randall said, according to a release. “I want to acknowledge the student-athletes who helped lay the foundation to get us here and feel honored for the opportunity to continue leading this team into its next chapter.”
“We’re excited to be a program that develops exceptional wrestlers, students and leaders while pursuing excellence at the highest levels of the sport,” she added.
Going into the 2026-2027 academic year, there are at least 11 Barnard players on the team. While varsity status won't take effect until the 2027-2028 academic year, the program already has over 35 potential returners and incoming student-athletes for Fall 2026.
The team received a $10 million endowment to support the program's long-term financial and operational needs.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the addition of Columbia women’s wrestling as a varsity sport,” said Columbia University Trustee Emeritus and wrestling alumnus Andrew Barth ’83CC ’85BUS. “Many of my best memories and lessons during my college years were due to being a wrestler at Columbia. I am so glad that women can now have those same opportunities and experiences."
The announcement comes on the heels of a successful athletic season, with the recruitment of Barnard athletes on the upswing. The team wrapped its fifth season this year with a victory over a NCAA Division III program and across eight regular-season tournaments posted 15 placewinners, seven individual champions, and a 59% win rate.
The varsity Lions will compete in Levien Gymnasium, with the inaugural 2027-28 team expected to feature a roster of approximately 30.