Athletics Archives - ��ӴӴ

Bulldog Nation Raises Over $2.5 Million for Double Dawg Day 2026

Office of University Communications — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:36:12 +0000

More Than 1,300 Donors Support ��ӴӴ Students, Academics and Athletics

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—A shared sense of purpose and Bulldog energy fueled Double Dawg Day 2026 at Gardner‑Webb University, as alumni, parents, employees, students and friends rallied behind the institution’s mission. More than 1,300 contributed over $2.5 million to support scholarships, academics, athletics and campus initiatives.

The strong response on April 16 reflects the power of collective impact and the continued momentum of Double Dawg Day as it entered its 11th year. Donors came together from all over the United States and across the globe—extending from Austria to Venezuela. Gifts of all sizes made an immediate difference, including a transformative contribution that will fully renovate the athletic weight room, strengthening the University’s mission and expanding opportunities for its students now and for years to come.

“This year’s Double Dawg Day is a powerful reminder of what can happen when the ��ӴӴ community comes together with a shared sense of purpose,” emphasized GWU President Nate Evans. “As our once-a-year giving campaign, it continues to create a transformational impact across our campus, shaping the student experience in meaningful ways. Each gift represents a belief in our mission and an investment in our students, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day possible.”

Participation remained a central focus of Double Dawg Day 2026. Friends of the University accounted for 43% of donors, followed by parents at 22%, alumni at 19%, and additional support from faculty, staff, and students.

“Double Dawg Day continues to demonstrate the extraordinary generosity of the Bulldog community,” noted Interim Vice President for Advancement Karen Bruce. “Each gift—no matter the size—is a powerful statement of belief in our kingdom mission and a meaningful investment in the future of ��ӴӴ and the students we serve. We are deeply grateful for the collective impact that is shaping lives today and for generations to come.”

Throughout the day, donors directed their gifts to a wide range of priorities, including the University Priority Fund, academic schools and colleges, scholarships, Athletics, the Bulldog Club, and campus programs and departments. A portion of the donations will be used to renovate a residence hall, make updates to the Football Center and Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center, and enhance the criminal justice program through the creation of a dedicated forensic lab space.

The success of Double Dawg Day 2026 was made possible by a campus‑wide effort, with students, faculty, staff, coaches, deans, alumni volunteers and ambassadors promoting the day and encouraging participation across digital platforms.

Kanisha Fowler, director of Annual Giving and Advancement Communications at Gardner‑Webb, emphasized the collective nature of the achievement and thanked the Bulldog community for rallying behind the University.

“The love and support for ��ӴӴ are on full display during Double Dawg Day,” Fowler praised. “This is the power of our community, coming together to achieve something meaningful. Today, we celebrate you—the men and women who make this community so special—through the stories you’ve told, the careers you’ve built, and the lives you continue to impact. We are grateful for every gift because each act of generosity moves us forward and makes a lasting difference. Thank you for giving to Double Dawg Day.”

Each gift made during Double Dawg Day has a lasting impact, helping fund scholarships that make a Gardner‑Webb education accessible, enhancing academic and experiential learning opportunities, supporting student‑athletes, and strengthening programs that prepare graduates to lead, serve and make a difference.

Gardner‑Webb University extends sincere gratitude to every donor, advocate and volunteer who made Double Dawg Day 2026 a success and helped move the institution forward.

Double Dawg Day Top Performer Spotlights

Alumni class – 2025 with 24 donors.
College – Health Sciences with 62 donors.
Athletic program – Wrestling with 377 donors.

View more details on the day’s gifts, matches and challenges .

��ӴӴ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., ��ӴӴ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .

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Mike Griffith Reaches 200 Big South Wins, Cementing a Legacy at ��ӴӴ

Office of University Communications — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:00:45 +0000

Longtime Head Coach Reflects on Championships, Growth, and the Student-Athletes who Shaped the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Success

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ men’s tennis coach Mike Griffith reached a significant milestone in his tenure with the Runnin’ Bulldogs, recording his 200th career victory while being a member of the Big South Conference. The historic win came over Converse College on Feb. 28.

Griffith, who is retiring after 23 seasons at ��ӴӴ, is recognized as the third winningest coach in the history of the Big South Conference. Having built one of the league’s most consistent and respected programs, he is a four-time Coach of the Year. As the program approaches its final season of competition, his impact will remain a lasting part of ��ӴӴ athletics history.

Griffith became the head men’s tennis coach in 2003 during ��ӴӴ’s first Division I season. The program competed in the A-Sun Conference until 2008, recording some wins before joining the Big South Conference in 2009.

“I will always remember the day I interviewed for the position with former AD Chuck Burch,” Griffith reflected. “So much activity was happening that day with so many athletic teams practicing. I knew right then I wanted to be at GWU and this was the perfect job for me. I was meant to be a coach.”

In 2019, ��ӴӴ claimed its first regular-season conference championship, finishing 7-1 in league play. “The conference had the finest No. 1 players ever, with UNCA having an eventual Grand Slam winner at Wimbledon and the Australian Open,” Griffith observed. “Our No. 1 player, Maximilian Scholl, then went 20-1, and his only defeat was to the defending national champion from Wake Forest.”

Griffith also led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in program history, compiling a 29-6 conference record over the past six seasons. The program captured its first-ever Big South Tournament Championship in 2025, earning an NCAA Tournament berth and capping a historic campaign.

“I remember some of the wins, but what motivated me was the losses,” Griffith shared. “It drove me to get better and work harder. One of the hardest defeats we’ve ever had was losing in the finals in 2024. The team and I worked hard to make sure that never would happen again, and thankfully we won it all in 2025.”

Under Griffith’s leadership, ��ӴӴ has consistently competed among the conference’s top teams, earning multiple postseason appearances and producing numerous All-Conference selections. His teams have been known for their depth, discipline, strong doubles play, and ability to close out matches on the singles courts.

This year’s team currently sits atop the Big South standings. “We are 12-3 and need one more conference win to clinch the regular-season championship,” Griffith said. “This is a team and a group who will go their separate ways after this season. Their character and willpower motivate me, and my goal is to send them out as champions.”

A former standout at Winthrop, Griffith played in 1987 for Cid Carvalho, the second winningest coach in Big South Conference history.

Beyond wins and accolades, Griffith’s influence has extended far beyond the court. His players have consistently excelled academically while representing ��ӴӴ with pride throughout their collegiate careers.

Sources: gwusports.com and Big South Conference

��ӴӴ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., ��ӴӴ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .

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Hart and Soul: ��ӴӴ’s Andrea Hartman Beat Cancer, Earned Starting Spot

Office of University Communications — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:46:55 +0000

With Support from Family, Coaches and Teammates, Lacrosse Defender Fought Her Way Onto the Field

Written By Beth Ann Mayer

Courtesy of

No one likes to learn they need a filling during a routine dentist appointment. But it’s not out-of-the-ordinary news.

Less than two months before leaving California for her freshman year at ��ӴӴ, where she was slated to play lacrosse, Andrea Hartman’s dental hygienist did, in fact, tell her she would need to have a cavity filled. But on three separate occasions, the hygienist also mentioned that Hartman’s thyroid was swollen. She advised her to get it checked out.

“I didn’t know anything about the thyroid,” Hartman said. “The only thing I knew was that my dog was having weight issues and that it was because her thyroid was not working. So, my initial reaction [was] not initial panic.”

But Hartman did want to get it checked out. She had no idea that a few months later, and at the age of 17, she’d learn that she had thyroid cancer. What Hartman did know was that she was no stranger to bumps in her athletic career. She spent her early childhood and school years in Maryland, where kids are basically handed out lacrosse sticks at birth.

Many of Hartman’s friends never put theirs down, but Hartman opted to start gymnastics. In middle school, she was diagnosed with osteochondritis in her elbow. The joint condition occurs when blood circulation is cut off from a bone (or, as Hartman said, “My bone died in my elbow”).

Hartman didn’t go back to gymnastics. Instead, she joined her friends in lacrosse. But her family decided to move to California during the pandemic. California is an emerging market for the sport, but it doesn’t have the same panache as Maryland. She made do, finding a high school with a solid program in Murrieta Mesa.

Still, Hartman didn’t get many Division I looks. Eventually, then-��ӴӴ head coach Kathleen Mirgon Crum’s name appeared in her inbox.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, my first D-I email—this is so cool,” Hartman recalled.

Hartman and Crum spoke on the phone and texted back and forth. She visited the campus in November and attended a camp a few months later.

“It was ��ӴӴ from there,” Hartman said.

Before going to ��ӴӴ, Hartman had a cavity to fill, and she had items to pick up from an uncle’s house in Maryland. Another dental hygienist also flagged her swollen thyroid, so she saw an old family doctor there who ordered blood work. It came back clean.

But the bump was still there when she needed to get a physical upon arriving at school. She brought it up to the doctor, who encouraged her to come back in a few days to discuss it further.

“We decide that it’s worth it to get an ultrasound,” Hartman said. “At this point, it was so big, I guess that it wasn’t just a swollen thyroid. It was like, ‘There’s something there. There’s something like growing.’”

Was it a cyst? A nodule? Was it cancer? The ultrasound in September couldn’t say for sure, but Hartman’s care team could see that something was there. To learn more, she’d need to go for a biopsy. That step happened in October.

All the while, Hartman was participating in fall practices for the lacrosse program, now guided by head coach Chris Harris, who took over for Crum after she resigned in 2024. He liked what he saw of Hartman on film alone. “She was very responsive to everything, so I could tell that she was a mature young lady who was ready to roll,” Harris said.

Ready to roll on the lacrosse field? Sure. Ready to roll with what happened next? Not really. But to be fair, is anyone?

A week after the biopsy, Hartman got a notification that her lab results were ready, but she was unable to log in on her phone. She called the doctor’s office. “The secretary answers, and is like, ‘You need to come in and make an appointment. I can’t tell you anything about the results. You have to make an appointment,” Hartman said. “My mom and I hang up the phone, and we’re like, ‘We kind of know what this means.’”

The Hartmans were pretty sure that the secretary wouldn’t insist that they speak to the doctor in person if it wasn’t cancer. They were right. She was diagnosed with stage II papillary thyroid cancer. It was treatable with surgery, and she would not need chemotherapy.

And if there’s one thing that Megan Hartman, Andrea’s mom, knows all too well, it’s cancer. She herself has a BRCA2 gene mutation and had a preventative mastectomy. Her uncle had thyroid cancer later in his life. Other members of her family have gone through glaucoma, lung cancer and ovarian cancer, just to name a few. It was a diagnosis she had heard about so many times but never wanted for her own daughter, of course. “It was scary for a lot of reasons, but mostly because there’s such a high rate of cancer and so many different kinds of cancer in our family,” Megan Hartman said. “This is something she now has to deal with at 17. That was really concerning for us.”

It would be easy to say, “Put lacrosse on the back burner and focus on healing.” Yet there was a healthy amount of grief and angst over the cruel timing of Hartman learning of her diagnosis and the need for treatment right as she was getting her feet under her at school and in lacrosse, after an underdog’s journey to become a Runnin’ Bulldog in the first place.

“This moment collided with something she had worked toward for so long,” her mother said. “She worried about getting out of shape, letting her team down and watching her dreams slip away just as they felt within reach. This diagnosis came at a moment when she was just beginning to fully believe she belonged at this level, and that made the fear feel even heavier.”

The Runnin’ Bulldogs didn’t feel let down, though. So, Harris steadied her. Her team lifted her. “After I talked with her, I actually just sat down and just prayed about it, because it’s not an easy process,” Harris said. “But I wanted to make sure she knew that we were there for her and we were going to be with her every step of the way, no matter what the situation, whatever the results.”

Those words were a genuine promise that Harris and ��ӴӴ kept. “The team rallied around Andrea,” Megan Hartman said. “The coaches were so kind to her and flexible with her. The parents were absolutely amazing. We’ve been on teams for decades now, and I’ve never felt so supported by people who honestly didn’t even know us. They offered their homes for me to stay in so that I could be in North Carolina with her through all the appointments.”

Parents and players brought groceries so that Hartman and her mother were well fed. They sent gift cards and baskets and celebrated with her after the surgery, which conveniently and appropriately fell near her 18th birthday. But Hartman had a few months and a long road before she hit that milestone. And all the support was necessary. It took decisions and to-dos off the Hartmans’ plates, which were already overflowing with choices to make, appointments to attend, and information to process and act on quickly.

The first step was choosing a surgeon. They opted to work with a surgeon at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center because of its proximity to campus. “It made the most sense to us to do that, but that was stressful,” Hartman said. “You’re picking your surgeon. Hopefully, they do the best.”

Then, there was a matter of scheduling the surgery, which required a referral and consultation. “I was feeling like, ‘It’s already been nearly six months. I want this out. It’s stage II. Let’s not make it stage III,” Hartman said. “My coach did a really good job of keeping me calm. He said, ‘Don’t worry. If it were, if it were this big of a rush, they would be rushing.’”

The goal wasn’t to minimize her understandable fears. It was to provide steady confidence and unwavering support.

The next steps took a hard pivot when Hartman’s surgeon offered her another choice. She could remove half her thyroid as planned or all of it to lower the risk of recurrence. “I was like, ‘Wow, another big decision,’” Hartman said.

A big decision complicated by some serious whiplash.

“The same day, we go into a different office, and we see the endocrinologist, who is the doctor who’s going to be with me for the rest of my life, and she said, ‘We recommend you get only half out, because there’s no need to get the other half out,’” Hartman said. “So, it was like, ‘OK, I have a surgeon telling me to get the full thing out. I have my doctor telling me to get half. This is just a lot.’”

In the end, Hartman opted to have her entire thyroid removed. The surgery was successful, but the first night was sleepless for Hartman and her mother as she struggled to maintain calcium and hormone levels, a common but scary side effect. “She was convulsing, and it was incredibly, incredibly scary for me as a parent,” Megan Hartman said. “[The staff] knew exactly how to take care of her. There were definitely points where I was really, really scared and uncomfortable with what was happening, but very confident in her medical team.”

The confidence was well placed. The doctors tested lymph nodes that would not have been removed if Hartman had opted for the less-comprehensive surgery, and they turned out to be cancerous, too.

She will complete preventative radioactive iodine treatment this summer, once the lacrosse season ends. Leaving the game that she’s come to love behind? Never an option. “Quitting lacrosse never crossed my mind,” Hartman said. “I think having to take six weeks off was difficult.”

But she’s grateful for the timing, which “only” included the last two weeks of fall ball. The other four weeks occurred during holiday and winter breaks, giving her time to work her way back.

But unlike an ACL injury, which typically takes around 18 months to fully return from, there’s not a blueprint for making a comeback from thyroid cancer. Perhaps surprisingly, though, it’s much shorter than an ACL tear recovery. The doctor suggested that she avoid heavy weightlifting for two weeks and progressively work her way back up after. They told her she’d likely be good to go after six weeks. Hartman wasn’t just good to go. She was ready.

“It made me realize how much I loved lacrosse,” Hartman said. “Fall ball is hard, so I was craving winter break. Then, I had that last little bit of fall ball taken away from me, and I was like, ‘The only thing I want to do right now is go back to being on the lacrosse field, practicing at 6 a.m. in the freezing cold weather.’ When Coach says, ‘Get on the line,’ I’m grateful to be on the line.”

Hartman’s gratitude isn’t all that’s grown. She has, too. “She truly had to grow up quickly,” her mother said. “She now manages much of her own medical care, communicates directly with doctors, tracks appointments and makes decisions about her body and recovery in a way most teenagers never have to. There were moments where she was forced to process uncertainty, timelines and decisions like an adult. That experience didn’t change who she is, but it deepened her sense of responsibility, self-advocacy and perspective.”

Hartman’s strength has poured out onto the field. In January, she played like she had a fall, free of doctor’s appointments, a cancer diagnosis and missed practice time. She was finally able to play freely. “When she came back, she was hitting the ground rolling,” Harris said. “We put her in, let her get a couple of reps, just to build her back into the play. Then, once she’d shown she could take on more responsibilities, we just put her in bigger situations, and she was able to handle them as well.”

And so, Hartman learned that she’d start on defense for the Runnin’ Bulldogs first game of the season against Austin Peay. She again earned a start at Campbell. “I was proud of myself for coming back in those first few practices of spring and doing well,” Hartman said. “I had worked hard over winter break to build back up to everything. It paid off. When I got to practice, I was doing well. [I started] our first scrimmage and was like, ‘It’s all working out. Everything is going to be OK.’”

Harris sees a bright future for Andrea as a Runnin’ Bulldog. “We’re excited about the way she’s going to grow for this year and years to come,” he said. “In the years to come, she’ll be one of the ones who could teach the freshmen, ‘This is what we do. This is how we go about doing things, and this is the way we play.’”

Hartman has certainly shown she can play through adversity with grace. But the starting spot wasn’t the best news Hartman and her family received recently, nor is it the only reason to believe her future is, in fact, bright. Given her family history and now her own history of cancer, Hartman decided to go for genetic testing to see if she had biomarkers for other cancers.

“She tested negative for every single genetic marker, for every single type of cancer in our family and every single type of cancer that they even have a genetic marker for,” her mother said. “She tested negative.”

Does it mean she’ll never receive another diagnosis? That no one can say. But cancer has less of a fighting chance without the markers. Hartman, on the other hand, has a fighting chance to make a name for herself and help turn around the program at ��ӴӴ.

USA Lacrosse Staff Writer Beth Ann Mayer is a Long Island-based writer. She joined USA Lacrosse in 2022 after freelancing for Inside Lacrosse for five years. She first began covering the game as a student at Syracuse.

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��ӴӴ Adds Two Sports, Realigns Athletics Portfolio for Long-Term Success

��ӴӴ — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:18:37 +0000

Strategic Athletics Restructuring Expands Opportunities and Positions ��ӴӴ for Division I Growth

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — ��ӴӴ announced a strategic restructuring of its athletics sponsorship offerings designed to strengthen ��ӴӴ’s position in the evolving Division I landscape by aligning resources with long-term priorities and expanding opportunities for student-athletes.

The restructuring will add women’s flag football and women’s acrobatics and tumbling while discontinuing the men’s and women’s tennis programs. Both tennis programs will conclude competition following the 2026 season.

“As the NCAA landscape continues to evolve, it was critical for us to evaluate future opportunities while also making thoughtful, strategic resource allocation decisions,” said Brendan Fahey, vice president for athletics and athletic director. “This restructuring will enable us to provide additional opportunities for student-athletes and introduce two sports that are growing rapidly nationwide. We are excited to grow our department with the addition of two quickly evolving NCAA sports and expand each program’s footprint within the region.”

The addition of women’s flag football and women’s acrobatics and tumbling will create approximately 80 new participation opportunities for student-athletes, supporting continued growth and competitive balance within the athletics program.

Women’s acrobatics and tumbling was added as an NCAA championship sport following a vote by NCAA members from all three divisions at the 2026 NCAA Convention. The NCAA’s first acrobatics and tumbling championship is projected to take place in spring 2027.

Women’s flag football continues to gain national momentum and was added to the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program, making the sport eligible to pursue championship status through the emerging sports pathway. ��ӴӴ will join conference peers in sponsoring the sport, including Charleston Southern University and the University of North Carolina at Asheville, both of which have announced women’s flag football programs beginning competition in the 2027–28 academic year.

The decision followed a comprehensive review of ��ӴӴ’s entire athletics portfolio that examined participation trends, competitive sustainability, facilities needs and long-term resource alignment across all sports. University and athletics leadership conducted the review with the support of the ��ӴӴ Board of Trustees. Student-athletes and coaches in the affected programs were informed of the decision prior to the public announcement.

“The decision to discontinue our tennis programs was an extremely difficult one,” Fahey said. “��ӴӴ is deeply grateful for the contributions of our coaches, student-athletes and alumni and for the way they have represented our athletics department throughout the years. We will work with each student and provide support for their future academic and athletic endeavors.”

All student-athlete scholarships will be honored for those who choose to remain enrolled at ��ӴӴ and complete their degrees. Support will also be provided to student-athletes who choose to transfer in order to continue competing. In addition to receiving assistance from their coaching staffs during this transition, all tennis student-athletes will have access to student counseling services and university resources.

Women’s tennis head coach Jim Corn, who is in his 20th season leading the program during the 2025–26 academic year, guided one of the university’s most consistently high-achieving programs both academically and competitively. Under his leadership, the women’s tennis team earned Division I ITA All-Academic honors in 18 of the past 19 seasons and recorded multiple top-three conference finishes, including a runner-up finish at the Big South Conference Championship in spring 2025.

Men’s tennis head coach Mike Griffith, a four-time Big South Coach of the Year, previously announced his intention to retire following the conclusion of the 2026 spring campaign, closing a stellar 24-year head coaching career at ��ӴӴ. Griffith led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to their first-ever Big South Tournament Championship in 2025, multiple regular-season conference titles and consecutive 20-win seasons, while building a nationally ranked program and a strong record of academic excellence.

Additional details regarding timelines, staffing and competition for women’s flag football and women’s acrobatics and tumbling will be announced as the programs move forward.

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As the Super Bowl Approaches, GWU Alumni Coaches Reflect on Building Champions

Office of University Communications — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:18:45 +0000

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As football fans prepare for this weekend’s Super Bowl, the nation’s attention turns to the traits that elevate good teams into great ones—leadership, chemistry, resilience, and a commitment to collective success. Those same qualities, often celebrated on the NFL’s biggest stage, have also defined three North Carolina high school programs that captured state championships this season. Remarkably, all three teams are led by Gardner‑Webb University alumni, whose coaching philosophies trace back to lessons learned long before their own players ever take the field.

These coaches—Greg Lloyd, ’02, of Crest High School; Mike Wilbanks, ’98, of Shelby High School, and Darryl Brown, ’00, of Grimsley High School—represent three different classifications in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), an organization of 447 member schools. Despite distinct team cultures and competitive landscapes, each coach emphasizes a shared foundation: championship seasons are built not only on talent, but on trust and personal growth.

Mike Wilbanks: Leadership and Chemistry

Wilbanks has led the Shelby Golden Lions since 2019 and works alongside several fellow GWU alumni on his staff: Chris Emery, ’98; Jamie Dunaway, ’13; Dobson Collins, ’08; and current GWU student, Sam Baldree. He attributes his team’s title run to two essential ingredients. “The senior leadership on this team was phenomenal. Their work ethic and commitment to excellence really permeated the entire team,” he said. “Secondly, our team chemistry was great.”

Team unity wasn’t accidental. Wilbanks prioritized opportunities for players to bond off the field through cookouts, fishing trips, cornhole games, and other informal gatherings.

His coaching philosophy is rooted in lessons from his time at Gardner‑Webb with Coach Woody Fish. Wilbanks, a former three‑year offensive line starter, said Fish instilled preparation and discipline into the team. “I learned that a successful season doesn’t just happen in August,” he said. “It starts in January with offseason lifting and conditioning… summer camp to prepare… and a weekly routine once the season starts.”

Darryl Brown: Resilience and Grit

Brown, head coach since 2016 of the Grimsley Whirlies in Greensboro, N.C., emphasizes resilience as the defining trait of his championship team. Early adversity threatened to derail the season when the starting quarterback was sidelined by an injury. Still, Brown watched his players rise to the moment. “We had a group of players that were very resilient,” he affirmed. “Each week, we had different players stepping up and making plays. This entire season was a complete effort by every player and coach.”

Brown noted that Gardner‑Webb baseball coach Clyde Miller taught him the importance of teamwork. “Every player has a role, and whatever your role happens to be, it is extremely important to the success of the team,” he said.

The lessons extended beyond the field. Brown remembers Dr. Dee Hunt as a crucial mentor who helped guide him through significant academic and personal decisions. He still cherishes the relationships he formed at Gardner‑Webb, many of which continue today.

Greg Lloyd: Experience and Tradition

Greg Lloyd led Crest to its seventh state title—and first in a decade—before retiring in 2025. Experience was the deciding factor in his team. “We had a lot of players back from the previous season who had played a lot,” he explained. “We played a lot of seniors this year… Crest has a lot of tradition, so the players feel that, and those high expectations keep them motivated.”

Lloyd, also a former baseball player under Miller, said he carried the same emphasis on relationships into his own career. “I take pride in building relationships with my students and players… and I really believe that’s why I have been successful,” he said. “A lot of that foundation came at Gardner‑Webb.”

Like Brown, he remembers the support of Hunt and said her mentorship helped him persist through challenges in college. “If it wasn’t for Dr. Dee Hunt—she took a lot of time with me and helped me—and we made it,” Lloyd affirmed. “So, I was very thankful.”

A Shared Foundation

Though their teams compete in different classifications and face unique pressures, Lloyd, Wilbanks, and Brown remain connected by their Gardner‑Webb roots. Their experiences reflect a common message: mentorship, perseverance, and strong relationships shape not only championship seasons but the lives of the students they lead.

Sources: High School OT and High School Football America

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��ӴӴ Football Announces 2026 Schedule

Office of University Communications — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:49:29 +0000

��ӴӴ Opens Kris McCullough Era with 12‑Game Schedule Highlighted by Road Tests and Rivalry Matchups

Family Weekend set for Sept. 19; Homecoming and Military Appreciation is Nov. 7

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—First-year head coach Kris McCullough and the ��ӴӴ football team have announced their full schedule for the upcoming 2026 season.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs, coming off a 7-5 overall record and 5-3 mark in OVC/Big South action, will have a 12-game slate that includes seven games within the conference and four home games.

“We are excited for the task of a very challenging schedule,” McCullough said. “Playing two FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) schools and three talented FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) teams in non-conference will get us ready for our OVC/Big South schedule. I can’t wait to get to work this spring while we prepare for a top-25 Austin Peay team on the road in August.”

The FBS represents the highest level of NCAA Division I football. The FCS, which includes Gardner‑Webb, is the next level within Division I. Together, FBS and FCS make up the two subdivisions of NCAA Division I football in the United States.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ first game will be against the Governors of Austin Peay University, an FCS team, on Aug. 29 in Clarksville, Tenn. The next stop on the road trip will be just over state lines as ��ӴӴ heads to nearby Spartanburg, S.C., for a matchup with longtime foe Wofford on Sept. 5. The Terriers and Runnin’ Bulldogs have met 11 times in their history with Wofford holding a 9-2 advantage in the series.

The final stop of the road trip lands the Dawgs in Lynchburg, Va., on Sept. 12 to play the Flames of Liberty University, the first FBS team.

Opening the home portion of its schedule, ��ӴӴ will play host to North Carolina Central on Sept. 19 for Family Weekend. The Runnin’ Bulldogs pulled out a 21-12 win during the last meeting in 2019.

The home stay does not last long as GWU hits the road once again for its next two contests, starting with a showdown on Sept. 26 with the second FBS team, the Thundering Herd of Marshall in Huntington, W.Va. Conference play opens on Oct. 3 at Charleston Southern, which is also the third edition of the North-South BBQ Bowl with the previous two contests being won by ��ӴӴ.

Eastern Illinois visits Spangler Stadium on Oct. 10 for an OVC/Big South bout before ��ӴӴ travels to UT Martin on Oct. 17. Following a bye week, the Runnin’ Bulldogs return to action on Oct. 31 at Southeast Missouri State.

A quick trip back to Boiling Springs on Nov. 7 for Homecoming and a Military Appreciation game has ��ӴӴ pitted against Lindenwood followed by a trek to Macomb, Ill., to face Western Illinois on Nov. 14. The Runnin’ Bulldogs close out the regular season on Nov. 21 after playing host to Tennessee State.

Ticket information will be announced later. For all up-do-date news, events, and schedule changes for ��ӴӴ football, please visit www.gwusports.com or follow the Runnin’ Bulldogs on social media @gwusports.

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��ӴӴ Announces Kris McCullough as New Head Football Coach

Office of University Communications — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:04:02 +0000

McCullough Brings a Decade of Experience, Coaching Awards, and Playoff Appearances to GWU Program

Meet and Greet Scheduled for Jan. 15 at 11 a.m.

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of Kris McCullough as the new head coach of the ��ӴӴ football program. The GWU campus and surrounding community is invited to a meet and greet on Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. in Stewart Hall, Tucker Student Center.

McCullough arrives at ��ӴӴ with a decade of experience at various levels and positions as a college football coach. Most recently, he served as the head coach at the University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB), a position he held from December 2022, when he was hired as the youngest head coach in college football. Prior to his time in Odessa, Texas, McCullough also spent a successful season as the head coach of East Central University in Ada, Okla., where he led the Tigers to a nine-win season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kris McCullough as the next head coach of ��ӴӴ Football,” said Fahey. “Kris’ proven track record speaks for itself—with 37 victories over four excellent seasons, two playoff appearances, and a program that has consistently competed at the highest level. He has built a culture of excellence both on and off the field, developing young men who succeed at the next level. Kris’ ability to recruit elite talent, develop players, and win championships makes him an ideal leader here at ��ӴӴ. We are excited to welcome Kris and his entire family into the ��ӴӴ family and couldn’t be more excited about the future of Runnin’ Bulldogs football with him at the helm.”

Kris McCullough

While leading the UTPB program, McCullough guided the Falcons to a pair of NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2023 and 2025, and the Heritage Bowl in 2024. He helped lead the program to a 10-2 record and the first Lone Star Conference title in school history in his debut season at the helm in 2023, and a national ranking as high as No. 18. His final season at UTPB was perhaps his finest, guiding the Falcons to a program-record 11 wins, a first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, and a national ranking of No. 3 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll, the first time the Falcons ever ended a season inside the top-five of a major poll.

In addition, the Falcons placed 27 players on All-Lone Star Conference teams and ranked near the top of NCAA Division II in various categories in 2025, including first in total passing yards, third in passing offense, fourth in total yards, fifth in total touchdowns, and third in pass defense. Under the guidance of McCullough, linebacker Tristan Exline was named a finalist for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy, the award given the nation’s best Division II player in a given season.

“My family and I are excited to get to Boiling Springs and become part of the Runnin’ Bulldog family,” said McCullough. “This is an awesome opportunity and a program with rich history, and it will take every Runnin’ Bulldog to continue to move this program forward. Sko Dawgs!”

McCullough also received several individual awards and accolades during his time at UTPB, including 2023 Lone Star Conference Coach of The Year, 2023 Dave Campbell All-Texas Non-FBS Coach of The Year, and 2023 College Football Network D2 Coach of The Year. Additionally, he was named a Dave Campbell Texas Football “40 Under 40” selection, an AFCA “35 Under 35” Leadership Institute selection, a 247Sports.com “30 Under 30” selection, and saw his team nominated as an Allstate AFCA Good Works team. McCullough did all this on top of becoming the fourth coach in college football history to win 30 games before the age of 30, joining the likes of all-time football greats such as Pop Warner.

Prior to his time at UTPB, McCullough held several different positions at East Central University between 2018 and 2022, including a brief stint as interim head coach before eventually being promoted to lead the program. The 2022 season proved to be a successful one for McCullough in his first season as a college head coach, leading East Central to its best season since 1993 by finishing with a 9-3 record and a Heritage Bowl victory. Under McCullough, the team led NCAA Division II in turnover margin, and scored just shy of 30 points per game. The 2022 East Central team also posted the second-least number of turnovers in the country, ranked third for time of possession, while finishing second in forced turnovers on the defensive end.

In 2017, McCullough was named running back coach and assistant special team coordinator at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. He helped lead the program to an 8-3 season. He contributed to the development of running back Terrell Charles, who posted over 2,000 yards for the season, a mark that is top 10 in program history. Fairmont State continued a strong upward trajectory with McCullough on staff between 2017 and 2018, where the program placed top 30 in interceptions thrown and turnovers lost, and top 40 in the nation for turnover margin.

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., McCullough was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing both football and baseball at Watson Chapel High School. He is a 2017 graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., where he received his Bachelor of Integrated Studies and served as an undergraduate assistant for the football program. His time at Henderson allowed McCullough to work with one of the nation’s best offenses. He was part of an 11-2 team in 2015, winning the Great American Conference (GAC) and making the first NCAA Division II semifinals in the school’s history. The team was also the GAC conference leader in turnover margin, fourth in completion percentage, and fifth in red zone completion percentage. After graduating from Henderson, McCullough worked as offensive quality control and assistant quarterback coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.

McCullough completed his master’s in sports administration in 2019 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Joining McCullough at ��ӴӴ is Hannah, his wife of seven years, and their two children, SJ and KJ.

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit gwusports.com, or follow on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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��ӴӴ Announces Jonathan Lagos as New Head Coach of Men’s Soccer Program

Office of University Communications — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:15:46 +0000

Simpsonville, S.C., Native Helped Build Nationally-Competitive Division I Program at UNC-Greensboro

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of Jonathan Lagos as the Runnin’ Bulldogs head men’s soccer coach.

“We are excited to welcome Jonathan to the ��ӴӴ family,” Fahey said. “He is a proven winner, a strong recruiter and has a great understanding of the game and what it takes to have success at the highest level. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete on the field and excel in the classroom under his leadership.”

Jonathan Lagos

The Simpsonville, S.C., native becomes the fourth coach in the program’s history. Lagos arrives at ��ӴӴ with nine years of Division I coaching experience, helping to build UNC-Greensboro into a nationally competitive Division I program as associate head coach and recruiter.

“Truly blessed and excited for the opportunity to lead Gardner Webb University Men’s Soccer,” said Lagos. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey and GWU President Nate Evans for having the belief in me to lead this successful program. I can’t wait to get started building our brand and standards so that we can make Bulldog Nation proud!”

Lagos helped guide UNCG to the Southern Conference Tournament Championship in 2022 before watching his team advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans also made an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen during the 2025 season. Under his leadership, UNCG captured a pair of SoCon Regular Season Titles.

Lagos helped lead J.C. Ngando to a United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer All-America First Team honor while Ngando and teammate Ethan Conley were selected in the 2023 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Success has followed Lagos at each of his career stops in the sport. He arrived at UNCG after a successful three-year stint as an assistant coach for Wake Forest of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

While in Winston Salem, N.C., Lagos helped guide the Demon Deacons to a College Cup semifinal appearance in 2019 as well as a Sweet 16 showings in 2020-21 and fall of 2021. The 2019 rendition of the Deacs concluded the season with a No. 3 national ranking.

Lagos was instrumental in helping six players from the Wake Forest team be selected in the MLS Draft while six others signed professional contracts. He was also a part of the coaching staff that secured a No. 1 nationally ranked recruiting class in 2021 and No. 4 class in 2020.

Lagos also had beneficial stops at Wofford College in 2018-19, North Greenville University (NGU) from 2017-18, and Big South foe Presbyterian College (PC) in 2016-17. While with PC, Lagos brought in the first recruiting class to win the Big South Title and qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2016.

Lagos played collegiately at NGU in Tigerville, S.C., and earned his Bachelor of Science in sport management in December 2015.

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit , or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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Double the Hoops, Double the Memories: ��ӴӴ’s Hoopscoming 2026

Office of University Communications — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:16:31 +0000

Two Games, One Bulldog Family, Twice the Opportunity to Cheer on the Runnin’ Bulldogs

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Coming in 2026, ��ӴӴ Alumni Relations is turning up the excitement with two Hoopscoming celebrations. Alumni and fans are welcome back for two memorable game days filled with tradition, excitement, and a tribute to the players and supporters who make GWU basketball special.

Before each game, alumni are invited to register for a luncheon held on the third floor of Tucker Student Center. Following the meal, featured speakers and coaches will share stories, updates, and inspiration from the hardwood.

Mark your calendars and register for these basketball showcases:

Saturday, January 24, 2026
- ��ӴӴ Men’s Basketball takes on USC-Upstate at 2 p.m. in Paul Porter Arena.
- Men’s basketball and cheer alumni will be recognized at halftime, and registered guests will enjoy reserved seating for the big game. Register

Saturday, February 7, 2026
- ��ӴӴ Women’s Basketball faces Winthrop at 2 p.m. in Paul Porter Arena.
- Women’s basketball and cheer alumni will take center stage during halftime, with reserved seating for all registered attendees. Register .

Whether you played under the lights, cheered from the sidelines, or filled the stands with Bulldog pride, Hoopscoming 2026 is your chance to relive the glory and reconnect with the ��ӴӴ family.

Faculty and staff receive a discount on tickets. For more information, email Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Shannon Hovis at shovis@gardner-webb.edu.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

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��ӴӴ Alumna Kim Rivera Realizes Longtime Goal with USTA National Victory

Office of University Communications — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 16:37:33 +0000

University Tennis Pioneer Celebrates a Career Highlight After Decades of Dedication to the Sport

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Kim Rivera, a 1984 alumna of ��ӴӴ, recently achieved a goal she’s been striving for since high school. She is a member of the Rock Hill, S.C., team that won a United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Championship. Competing against 16,160 women and 1,131 teams from across the country, they claimed the 55+ 7.0 Women’s Doubles Team title.

Rivera’s team earned its way to the top by winning both the local championship in April and the South Carolina state championship in May. These victories qualified them for the USTA Southern Sectionals in Auburn, Ala., in June, where they played against teams from 13 southern states and claimed the sectional title. The next stop was the USTA National Tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz., (Oct. 31-Nov. 2) along with competitors from 17 states.

In the finals, Rivera’s team secured a victory over Seattle, Wash. The championship was ultimately decided by a 10-point tiebreak played by Rivera and her partner. “Upon winning the USTA national tournament, I was genuinely honored and excited by our team’s achievement,” Rivera reflected. “Securing the South Carolina state title, the Southern sectional title, and the USTA National title is a significant accomplishment, especially at age 63, as it represents the fulfillment of a long-time goal and dream. This success was only possible through teamwork, dedication to preparation and strategy, and consistent effort from all members to perform at their highest level. It truly was the highlight of my tennis career!”

Rivera, who initiated the development of the ��ӴӴ women’s tennis program in 1980, picked up her first tennis racquet 50 years ago because school was out for summer and she was looking for something to do. “We had tennis courts in my neighborhood in Mt. Holly,” Rivera reflected. “A girlfriend and I decided to try playing one day when we were bored and loved it! I played in a local youth tournament and won. I was hooked.”

The USTA Adult 55 and Over 7.0 League National Champions, from left, are Lisa Pacello, Donna Musante, Kim Rivera, Sharon Wooten, Ofeli Claxton, Dominique Oldre, Michele Ovendorf, Erin Bloomberg, and Patty Mullins.

Kim Rivera played on the first GWU women’s
tennis team from 1980 to 1984.

She loved the game so much that at her Gaston County, N.C., high school, she played on the men’s team, because there wasn’t a women’s team. When she came to ��ӴӴ, she talked to the athletic director at the time, Dan Moore, about starting a women’s team. Soon after, the first GWU women’s tennis team was formed, coached by Pat Wilkinson. They had a winning record all four years that Rivera was at ��ӴӴ.

After college, Rivera continued to play with USTA in Charlotte and won several local tournaments. “I’ve competed on numerous USTA teams and traveled to state tournaments across North Carolina and South Carolina,” she shared. “However, qualifying for this recent national tournament was a first for me; reaching that level is especially challenging because it requires working as part of a team rather than competing individually.”

For the past two years, Rivera has coached the South Point High School girls’ tennis team. “It’s a joy to help young ladies become better players, learn good sportsmanship, and be the best they can be off, and on the court,” she affirmed. “My goal is to motivate future athletes and show them that tennis can be a lifelong fun sport.”

Rivera said there are several reasons why she has continued to play the game and to coach. “It’s excellent exercise, presents both challenges and enjoyment, and I appreciate the camaraderie among the women in the community,” she noted. “I’m also grateful for the good health that allows me to continue competing at a high level.”

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