Crestmont University Ends All Athletic Programs

The private for-profit university in Irvine is transitioning to a fully remote model.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Higher Education

Gouache-painted illustration of an athletic whistle on a stone ledge, representing the closure of sports programs at Crestmont University. — Crestmont University has officially suspended all athletic programs and transitioned to a 100 percent remote learning model as part of an institutional restructuring. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Crestmont University has suspended all athletic activities and shifted to a 100 percent remote learning model. The private institution also ended its contract with the third-party company LFV.

Why it matters

The decision follows an internal review of institutional standards and partnership alignment. Despite the cancellation of in-person classes and sports, existing student scholarships remain in effect.

Crestmont University currently holds no affiliation with the NCAA or NAIA. The institution recently brought on 27 student-athletes for its softball season.

The players

Crestmont University

A private for-profit university that recently rebranded from California InterContinental University.

Ru Andrade

The former softball coach who was hired by the institution in February 2026.

LFV

A third-party company that recently had its contract with the university terminated.

The details

The university, which maintains an in-person campus in Irvine, California, moved its headquarters to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This pivot follows a rebranding from California InterContinental University earlier this year.

1996: The institution was founded as California InterContinental University.
February 2026: Former softball coach Ru Andrade was hired.
August 17, 2026: The institution officially rebranded as Crestmont University.
October 27, 2026: The university notified student-athletes of the program terminations via email.

Culture Shift

This transition mirrors a broader trend among private, for-profit institutions moving toward fully remote delivery models to reduce physical overhead. It marks a departure from the traditional campus experience established when the university was founded in 1996.

Students and faculty at the Irvine campus must adapt to the new remote-only requirement for all courses. While student scholarships remain active, the lack of sports programs ends athletic participation opportunities for the current student body.

The takeaway

The move to a 100 percent remote model fundamentally changes the operational structure of the school. Students should review their current scholarship status and course requirements to ensure compliance with the new university standards.