Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

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Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
Greene–Harbison Stadium
Mascot	Mac the Bulldog
Nickname	Runnin' Bulldogs
Colors	Red and black[1]
Website	gwusports.com/index.aspx

The Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs are the athletic teams that represent

Athletic marks have been rebranded on at least three occasions. A hand-drawn mark was used in different variations between the 1960s–1980s. In 1987, a new logo was launched featuring a runnin' bulldog with a red jersey and arched lettering (representing the historic landmark -Huggins Memorial Arch). The initial design used the letters GWC (Gardner-Webb College). In 1993, that was changed to GWU, when Gardner-Webb gained "university" status. In April 2022, after eight-months of research and integration, the university launched its current mark, which serves as both a tribute to previous logos and a companion piece to the school's live mascot

Gardner–Webb has also produced many notable athletes and coaches, including: Artis Gilmore, Gerry Vaillancourt, John Drew, Eddie Lee Wilkins, Jim Washburn, Blake Lalli, Jim Maxwell, Gabe Wilkins, Cara Saunders, and Brian Johnston.

A member of the

Rusty Stroupe was the coach of the Runnin' Bulldogs for 17 years. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 1986. Stroupe accumulated over 800 wins as a college coach and is the all-time winningest baseball coach in Gardner–Webb history. Stroupe was awarded the prestigious Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award for 2012 by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He received the award at the FCA Breakfast at the ABCA Convention in January 2013.

Notable players to come from the Diamond Dogs

• Sam Bradford was a 22nd round draft pick Seattle Mariners in 2003.
• Jeff Long was a 10th round draft pick for the
  2004
  .
• Joey Siak signed as a Free Agent with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004.
• Zach Ward was a 3rd round draft pick for the
  2005
  .
• 2012
  .
• Adam Bullard was the 43rd draft pick for the
  2008
  .
• Andrew Barnett was signed by the Texas Rangers in 2014.
• Jeremy Walker was a 5th round draft pick for the
  2016
  .
• Brad Haymes was a 17th round draft pick for the
  2016
  .
• Ryan Boelter was a 33rd round draft pick for the
  2016
  .

Head coach: Jeremy Luther^[4]

Associate Head Coach: Jake Delaney

Assistant coaches:^[5] Christian Turner, Adam Sweeney, and Tannor Kraus

The

2018–2019 was one of the most successful seasons in school history where the team boasted an undefeated 13–0 home record as well as a 23–11 overall record that included wins against Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. Gardner-Webb topped off the season by winning the Big South Tournament and earning its first Division I tournament berth. The 2018–2019 season is the subject of the documentary The Dancin' Bulldogs released on October 16, 2020.^[6]

Head coach: Alex Simmons

Assistant coaches: Garner Small, Chynna Turner, and Danielle Bell

Rick Reeves served as head coach for nine seasons. During this time he turned the program around from only five wins in the year previous to his arrival to two championship appearances in the

In 2009–2010, the program set school records in wins (28) and also tied a Big South Conference Record in wins. The team won its first conference title in the 35-year history of the program and made its first postseason appearance ever in the WNIT.[8] The team also picked up a huge non-conference win at Purdue in 2009–2010.^[9]

Reeves coached with both his daughters at Gardner–Webb, Kim Clark and Krystal Reeves-Evans before the start of the 2010–2011 season, when Clark left to be an assistant at Middle Tennessee State.

Reeves left the program at the end of the 2017–2018 season and was replaced by Alex Simmons, an assistant coach from

Head coach: Brian Baker

Assistant coaches:

The Track and Field team won the

Head coach: Cris Reisert^[10]

Assistant coaches: Tyler Johns (OL/Offensive Coordinator), Tim Cooper (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties), Pete Bennett (Special Teams Coordinator), Darius Pinnix (RB), Tyus Alcorn (WR), Payton Veraldi (QB/Co-Recruiting Coordinator), Dean Cullison (TE/Co-Recruiting Coordinator), MyQuon Stout (Defensive Line Coach), Steve Gardiner (Linebackers), Ty Holder (Cornerbacks/Pro Football Liaison), Sam Schroeder (Director of Athletic Performance), Davis Shanley (Graduate Assistant / Defense), Fred Proesel (Director of Football Operations/On-Campus Recruiting)

Head coach: Tee Burton

Assistant coach: Zack Byers

Head coach: Jessie Aguglia

Assistant coach: Racquel Prager, and Riley Hill

Head coach: Scott Wells^[11]

Assistant coaches: Joe Barber, Jay O'Donnell, and Daniel Babbert

Head coach: Mike Varga

Assistant coaches: Samantha Huecker

In the fall of 2006, the Gardner–Webb soccer team won its conference and made it to the NCAA second round.

In 2001 the Runnin' Bulldogs were the National Christian College Athletic Association Champions, following that tournament Mounce was named NCCAA National Women's Soccer Coach of the Year. In 2002 the Runnin' Bulldogs became a Division I program participating in the Atlantic Sun Conference. At the conclusion of their season, the team was ranked second in the nation for first-year division I programs by Soccer Buzz. In 2003 the Runnin' Bulldogs saw their first ever appearance in the Atlantic Sun Championship, finishing 5th in the league. For this accomplishment, former head coach Kevin Mounce was named A-Sun coach of the year. In 2004, GWU had a forward, Leeanna Woodworth who led the nation in scoring. She became A-Sun player of the year and broke many school records. In 2008 the team transferred to the Big South Conference. In their first year competing in the Big South they finished 4–12–2.^[12]

Head coach: Tom Cole

Assistant coaches: Angel Bunner

Head coach: Mike Blum

Assistant coaches: Kristina Henkel, Travis Kiser

Gardner–Webb's swimming team competes in the CCSA since the Big South does not sponsor swimming.

The Men's Swim Team placed second at the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association conference meet. Placing first was Davidson, second place went to Gardner–Webb, and in third was College of Charleston.

The Women's Team Placed Third overall, after Florida Gulf Coast and Davidson respectively, and earned six NCAA "B" cuts. The Women earned these NCAA qualifying standards in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke, 50 Free, 100 Backstroke, and the 200 and 400 Medley Relays.

In 2016, Nathan Lile became the first men's swimmer in program history to qualify for the

Program history was made again in the summer of 2016. Gardner-Webb men, Nathan Lile and Connor Bos, made history by being the first GWU male swimmers to make the United States Olympic Time Trials in Omaha, NE. Both Connor and Nathan qualified in the 100M Backstroke, as Nathan also had qualifying cuts in the 50M Freestyle and 100M Butterfly.

The Gardner Webb Men's Swim Team took home a runner-up trophy at the 2017 CCSA Conference meet. The Women's Swim Team placed third at the 2017 CCSA conference meet, narrowly missing the runner-up finish.

Head coaches: Mike Griffith (M) and Jim Corn (W)

Head coach: Christina Kremer

Assistant coaches: Jo-Leigh VerVelde

Head coach: Daniel Elliott

Assistant coaches: Cody Walters, Brendan Couture, Mack McGuire

Gardner–Webb's wrestling team competes in the Southern Conference since the Big South is a non-wrestling Conference.

1. "Baseball." GWUsports.com. Gardner–Webb,2009.Web. March 24, 2009.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gardner–Webb University athletics.

• Official website