Athletics Archives - ��ӴӴ

Samantha Thomsit Selected as Next Head Coach of ��ӴӴ Women’s Soccer

Office of University Communications — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:09:47 +0000

Proven Winner with Over a Decade of Experience Set to Lead Runnin’ Bulldogs

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced Samantha Thomsit as the next head coach of the women’s soccer program. She arrives at ��ӴӴ after four seasons at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.

“We are excited to welcome Sam to our Runnin’ Bulldogs family,” Fahey stated. “She is a proven winner and has experienced success at all levels of the game, both here and abroad. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes take big steps towards success both on and off the field under her leadership, helping to establish ��ӴӴ women’s soccer as a contender in the Big South Conference for years to come.”

Thomsit’s track record backs that belief. She engineered one of the top turnarounds in women’s college soccer at Spring Hill, inheriting an 0-17 team in 2021 and building it into a program that combined for 14 wins across the 2024 and 2025 seasons—the most success the program had seen in over a decade.

With a proven ability to rebuild and elevate programs, Thomsit is eager to begin her next chapter. “I am incredibly excited and honored to take over the ��ӴӴ women’s soccer program,” Thomsit affirmed. “��ӴӴ is a special institution with a rich history and a program that has experienced tremendous competitive success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead it into its next chapter.”

Her teams showed steady progress each season, producing the highest conference point totals in program history and consecutive Gulf South Conference Quarterfinal appearances, the deepest postseason runs in school history.

That forward momentum will carry into her approach in Boiling Springs. “I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and become part of the ��ӴӴ community,” Thomsit added.

Beyond wins, Thomsit’s teams developed standout talent and consistency. She coached the Gulf South’s top scorer in 2024, developed the program’s first All-Conference First Team and All-Region selections, and retained nearly her entire roster over four seasons.

Prior to Spring Hill, Thomsit spent four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, helping guide the Jaguars to Sun Belt regular season championships in 2019 and 2020 and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2020 and 2021. South Alabama posted double-digit wins in three of those seasons, including a 2018 squad that allowed just 0.57 goals per match. Twenty-six players earned All-Sun Belt honors during her tenure.

Her experience also includes extensive work in youth and international soccer, with coaching stops in California, Tennessee, and Singapore, where she helped develop collegiate pathways for young players.

As she steps into the role, Thomsit expressed her gratitude to Fahey and others who have encouraged her throughout her career. “I would like to sincerely thank Brendan Fahey for believing in me, trusting me with this opportunity, and allowing me to lead this program,” she said. “I would like to thank all of Spring Hill college and Joe Niland for their continued support during my four years. Lastly, I want to thank my husband for his unwavering support and the sacrifices he has made to help me pursue this opportunity. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has done for me along this journey.”

Her success on the field began at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn. Thomsit started nearly every match as a freshman and senior and helped lead the Eagles to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2009. She graduated in 2013 with a degree in physical education.

Her former coach at Carson Newman, Richard Moodie, who now leads the program at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., shared that ��ӴӴ has made an exceptional hire. “She has won and overachieved everywhere she has been and I would identify her not only as one of the top female coaches in the college game, but one of the top collegiate coaches overall,” Moodie praised. “I truly believe in Sam and the impact she can have on any program fortunate enough to hire her. Any institution would be making an exceptional hire by bringing Sam into their program.”

Originally from Trowbridge, England, Thomsit holds FA Level 1 and USSF B coaching licenses and an NSCAA Level 2 Goalkeeping Diploma. She brings more than a decade of high-level coaching experience to ��ӴӴ and will arrive with her husband, Walker.

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

��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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Mike Brown to Lead ��ӴӴ’s New Flag Football Program

Office of University Communications — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:18:28 +0000

Proven Program Builder and National-Level Coach Tapped to Launch Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Inaugural Team

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has named the first head coach of the university’s flag football program. Mike Brown, a 15-year coaching veteran, has been selected to lead GWU’s inaugural team.

“We are excited to welcome Mike to the ��ӴӴ family,” Fahey asserted. “He is a proven winner and has a great understanding of what it takes to be successful. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete on the field, excel in the classroom under his leadership, and helping to establish this new program.”

Mike Brown

Brown arrives at ��ӴӴ after helping to start the program in 2025 at Lees-McRae in Banner Elk, N.C. He expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity and the direction of the program at ��ӴӴ. “I’m deeply appreciative of the trust in me to lead this program,” he shared. “The University’s commitment to doing this the right way, investing in the program, our culture, and a shared vision for long-term success, makes this a truly special opportunity. My family and I are thrilled to be a part of ��ӴӴ and the community! We’re not just building a team; we are building to be the standard. We are looking for athletes who embrace that challenge.”

In one season at Lees-McRae, Brown quickly established the Bobcats as one of the top programs in Conference Carolinas, finishing 11-8 overall and 7-2 in league play for a second-place finish. His team emerged as one of the nation’s most balanced units, averaging 44 points per game while allowing just 14. Brown also served as the Conference Carolinas coaches chairman during the league’s inaugural season sponsoring flag football.

Prior to arriving at Lees-McRae, Brown was the head women’s flag football coach at Mandarin High School in Florida. Brown took over a team in 2021 fresh off a 5-11 season, and worked to turn the Mustangs program into a consistent winner. Mandarin made the playoffs each year of his tenure, going 36-22 over four seasons. Brown’s time at Mandarin ended with a District Championship, the first for the school since 2014

Brown’s career in football extends beyond serving as a head coach and the women’s flag game. Brown has coached at several different levels, including 7v7 and 5v5 with USA Football and NFL Flag. In addition, Brown served as the varsity offensive line and quarterbacks coach at Mandarin in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, and spent time at Prescott High School in Arizona where he served as the program’s passing game coordinator between 2015 and 2019.

Off the field, Brown has been selected to numerous different positions in and around the sport. In 2022, Brown represented Northeast Florida on the FHSAA Flag Football Advisory Committee Board, where he was eventually being picked to coach in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Game for the North Team in 2024.

Brown received a unique honor in 2024, being selected as one of 18 coaches nationally for the USA Select Bowl in Los Angeles. One of the premier events on the national flag football calendar, the Select Bowl brings the best players from across the nation to train and play in front of national team scouts. As part of his role, Brown helped to design training camps, performance evaluations, and make roster decisions for US Junior and Senior national teams. He continues to work with USA Football, currently serving as one of three national team scouts to assist the national team in evaluation of top talent.

Brown has also coached at the club level, with his teams earning bids to compete in the NFL Flag Championships, held every year at the NFL Pro Bowl. As the head coach of the Duval Divas and Prime GP teams, Brown has won nearly 100 games with a winning percentage above 71% across several different national tournaments and circuits.

Helping to elevate the women’s flag football side of the game even further, Brown also founded the Girl Power 7v7 Flag Football League, as well as the Queen Bee Sport Academy. Through various camps, combines, challenges, sessions and more, Brown has worked with over 500 athletes directly through his own programs.

Brown also comes to ��ӴӴ with a strong background in quarterback development, having worked as a coach and camp director with QB Impact based in Oklahoma from 2017 to 2020. Brown helped to expand the brand in Arizona during his tenure there as well. In 2026, Brown returned to QB Impact once again to focus on shaping and advising training programs for female athletes within the organization.

“I am incredibly honored to step into this role and lead this program at ��ӴӴ,” Brown noted. “From the very beginning, it was clear that the leadership of President Evans and our athletic administration here share a powerful vision—not just to compete in the Big South, but to build a nationally respected destination for flag football athletes who want to learn, grow, and compete at the highest level.”

He continued, “Everything we build will be grounded in our core values: Faith, Family, and Flag Football. That means creating an environment where our student-athletes are developed as people first, supported as a family, and challenge each other every day to pursue excellence on and off the field.”

A veteran of the United States Navy of nearly a decade, Brown served as a Naval Air Crewman at NAS Jacksonville between 2002 and 2011. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Brown joins ��ӴӴ with his wife, Brandi, and children, Michael, Grace and Avaya.

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

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��ӴӴ Names Molly Hanley as Inaugural Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach

Office of University Communications — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Experienced Coach and Former Standout Athlete Tapped to Launch Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Newest Program

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Director Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of the first coach of the ��ӴӴ acrobatics and tumbling team. Molly Hanley, a standout collegiate athlete and the head coach at King University in Bristol, Tenn., will build the University’s new program.

“This is an exciting day for our athletic department as we announce our inaugural head acrobatics and tumbling coach,” said Fahey. “I am eager to welcome Molly to the Runnin’ Bulldogs family. Coach Hanley understands the sport at a high level and will also embrace our institution’s values and vision for excellence.”

Molly Hanley

Prior to arriving in Boiling Springs, Hanley spent two years as Head Coach of Acrobatics & Tumbling, Cheer, and Dance at King University. There, she directed three collegiate programs, managing recruiting, compliance, travel logistics, budgets, fundraising, and event operations. She successfully hosted the 2024 Conference Carolinas Championship while also leading her team to a conference finals championship after finishing sixth in the league standings.

Hanley coached three student-athletes to Conference Carolinas All-Conference honors as well as seven who were named to the Conference Carolinas All-Academic Team, including a Conference Carolinas Scholar Athlete of the Year.

“I am incredibly grateful to President Nate Evans, Athletic Director Brendan Fahey, and everyone at ��ӴӴ for trusting me to lead this program,” said Hanley. “From the moment I stepped on campus, the sense of community, enthusiasm surrounding a new program, and genuine care for people was evident.”

Hanley was also a standout athlete on the mats at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., where she was a two-time first team All-Conference Carolinas performer with the Crusaders, while also being a member of the inaugural team. In addition to the individual honors, Hanley qualified for the conference championships in the event finals in both the open toss and trio pass during her time at The Abbey.

She was a four-year captain while winning the Conference Carolinas championship in 2022 for the 450 salto toss, qualifying for the NCATA National Championships. Hanley was twice named first team All-Conference Carolinas and was a three-time member of the Belmont Abbey dean’s list.

Hanley competed in artistic gymnastics prior to pursuing an acrobatics & tumbling career in college, and is a level two coach, having served as a coach at private gym near her hometown in Tampa, Fla.

“Acrobatics & Tumbling has had such a profound impact on my life, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to build something meaningful for our future student-athletes,” added Hanley. “I look forward to developing these young women as athletes and as people while leading a program rooted in purpose, growth, and opportunity.”

Hanley earned her Bachelor of Arts in sport management with a minor in psychology from Belmont Abbey, where she was an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

“Hanley’s passion for developing student-athletes, building a strong team culture, and establishing a championship foundation makes her the perfect person to lead this program from day one,” added Fahey.

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

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Anonymous $1.5 Million Gift Advances Student Experience and Faith‑Centered Mission at Gardner‑Webb University

Office of University Communications — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:54:34 +0000

Funding Strengthens Spaces Where Students ‘Live, Learn, Train and Grow’ Across Campus

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—A significant $1.5 million gift from an anonymous donor will support student‑focused priorities at Gardner‑Webb University. The donor provided flexibility in directing the funds, allowing University leadership to focus on initiatives with immediate and lasting impact on students.

Gardner‑Webb President Nate Evans emphasized that every major project supported by the gift aligns with the University’s mission and commitment to holistic student development. “This gift allows us to invest intentionally in spaces and programs that serve students where they live, learn, train, and grow,” Evans underscored. “Each priority reflects our commitment to being a Christ‑centered university that places students at the heart of every decision.”

Myers and Spangler will receive new flooring, furniture and paint.

A portion of the gift will fund refurbishments to Myers and Spangler residence halls, including new furniture and upgrades such as flooring, paint, and general improvements. Additional funds will be directed toward targeted student housing improvements across campus. The work will be completed over the summer and will improve the student living experience while supporting an expansion of the University’s Faith‑Based Living‑Learning Community, a residential model that intentionally connects students’ academic, co‑curricular, and personal development around shared interests and values.

“This investment in Myers and Spangler represents far more than a facilities upgrade—it is a direct investment in the student experience at Gardner‑Webb University,” affirmed Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students Lesley Villarose. “When we enhance residential spaces, we strengthen the foundation for student success by creating environments where students can rest, study, and build meaningful relationships. Gifts like this elevate not only where our students live, but how they live—supporting their academic persistence, personal growth, and overall sense of belonging.”

Villarose emphasized that the expansion of the Faith‑Based Living‑Learning Community reflects the University’s intentional approach to integrating faith and learning within the residential experience.

She added, “These spaces will allow students to engage more deeply in shared values, spiritual development, and meaningful dialogue beyond the classroom. As this living‑learning community continues to expand, we are creating more opportunities for students to connect their academic journey with their faith in a supportive, residential environment.”

The philanthropic support will also fund a comprehensive renovation of the primary weight room located in the football center. The project will include new flooring, racks, weights, machines, and branded strength equipment to benefit the health, safety, and performance of student‑athletes across all sports. Additional funds will address football program needs and athletic facility improvements.

Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director Brendan Fahey described the renovation as “transformational” and a “true program‑changer” for the department. “Strength training is essential to the development and well‑being of our student‑athletes, and this new, state‑of‑the‑art space will allow us to support them at the highest level,” Fahey explained. “Beyond enhancing daily training, it will play a key role in recruitment, retention, and the overall student‑athlete experience. We are incredibly grateful for this generous support and look forward to unveiling the new facility to our student‑athletes.”

This illustration shows an overview of the renovated weight room.

Reflecting the University’s commitment to developing the whole student, the gift supports a new instructional space along with updated academic technology across the University. Together, these investments support hands‑on learning, classroom instruction, and student preparation for professional success.

“Academic Affairs is grateful for the generous gift, which strengthens support for academic excellence and prepares our students to lead with confidence in their respective fields,” noted Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Nicole Waters. “This support will significantly enhance experiential learning opportunities for students in our Department of Public Service programs by creating an authentic residential setting for crime scene investigation that simulates real‑life crime scenarios. This investment elevates the quality of instruction, deepens student engagement, and prepares graduates for the professional workforce.”

The hands‑on simulation lab will be located in Washburn House and will serve both students and regional law enforcement partners. Additionally, the donation will support broader academic needs across the University. Waters shared, “The gift provides technology enhancements to the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education. These upgrades will enable faculty to deliver more interactive instruction while ensuring our learning environments reflect the demands of a rapidly evolving world.”

Beyond its academic impact, the philanthropic support also advances efforts to better serve students across campus. Gardner‑Webb leadership designated part of the funds to create a one‑stop shop for key student services, including financial aid, student accounts, and registration. The consolidated space will improve coordination, communication, and customer service while creating a more seamless experience for students.

Collectively, these investments reflect Gardner‑Webb’s mission by supporting students academically, personally, and professionally.

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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

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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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Athletics Archives - ����ӴӴ

Samantha Thomsit Selected as Next Head Coach of ����ӴӴ Women’s Soccer