jdiffenderfer's blog

On Saturday, February 27th, Gardner-Webb University recognized the 1989-90 women's basketball team on the 20th anniversary of their record setting season. The 1989-90 squad set the Gardner-Webb women's basketball record for wins in a season with 23 - a record which stood until the 2009-10 team eclipsed that mark on February 22, 2010.

Coached by Bud Black, the 1989-90 team compiled a 23-10 overall record (7-5 in District 26) and were lead by all-conference selections Valarie Crowell and Fredia Lawrence. Lawrence still stands as the women's all-time scoring and rebounding leader and was a 2002 GWU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.

Click here for pictures from the reunion.

Gardner-Webb's opponent for ESPNU BracketBusters was revealed Monday, and the Runnin' Bulldogs will host old rival Elon on Saturday, February 20, at 7:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena.

Bulldog Club members can use their ticket for the women’s contest against Presbyterian (currently scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on the 20th)for admission to the men’s game as well. Please contact the Bulldog Club for questions regarding tickets for this contest.

The Big South Conference's four BracketBusters match-ups have been determined, and the Conference will play two members from the Ohio Valley Conference and one member each from the Southern Conference and Colonial Athletic Association, it was announced today by ESPN. All four games will be played Saturday, Feb. 20. For more information on the Big South schools participating in the 2010 BracketBusters event, visit BigSouthSports.com.

The Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs will host Sothern Conference member Elon on February 20th at 7:00 p.m. Gardner-Webb leads the series with Elon, 23-10, with the Runnin' Bulldogs winning the last meeting in 2003-04. This marks the Runnin' Bulldogs second consecutive season in the BracketBusters event. Gardner-Webb is 0-1, falling to CAA member James Madison in its debut last year.

Former Runnin' Bulldog standout wide receiver Dobson Collins inked a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11th. Collins, who starred at Gardner-Webb from 2005-2008, was signed as a rookie free-agent by the San Francisco 49ers following the 2009 NFL Draft. Collins was first signed by the Eagles on October 25th and spent weeks 6-16 of the 2009 season on the Eagles practice squad. At GWU, Collins played in 42 games totaling 143 receptions for 1,754 yards and was a two-time All-Big South Selection as a receiver and punt returner.

Gardner-Webb head coach Rick Scruggs and his staff will coach barefoot Saturday night during the team’s game against High Point – in support of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Barefoot for Bare Feet Promotion benefiting Samaritan’s Feet. Others involved with the game – including the Gardner-Webb cheerleaders and dance team – will also participate barefoot during the game, which tips off at 8:00 pm and will air live on MASN as part of the Big South Conference’s television package. As part of the promotion, any person who donates $5 or a pair of athletic shoes to Samaritan’s Feet that evening will receive free admission to the game. Locations will be available at Paul Porter Arena to collect donations and shoes. Fans can also donate $5 to the cause by texting “Bulldogs” to 85944. (more)

Members The Gardner-Webb University football team recently visited children at the Shriners’ Hospital in Greenville, SC as part of a community service project. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Every year, the Shriners Hospitals for Children provides care for thousands of kids with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, in a family-centered environment at no charge. To see pictures from the team's visit, click here.

Members from the 1980 Gardner-Webb College football team recently had the opportunity to make the journey back to Boiling Springs, NC to reconnect with teammates and their alma mater. The 1980 team, under head coach Tom Moore, laid the foundation for the next decade of football at Gardner-Webb. Led by quarterback Chip Stuart, the '80 squad led District 26 in nearly all offensive statistical categories setting a variety of school records along the way. Upon leaving Gardner-Webb, Stuart would hold virtually all Gardner-Webb passing records and still ranks high on the University's all time quarterback record board. The 1980 team also boasted two future NFL signees Ralph Warthen (Washington Redskins) and Charlie Harbison (Buffalo Bills). For his performance during the 1980 season, Warthen was named as a NAIA Second Team All-American. Members from the 1980 Gardner-Webb College football team were recognized at halftime of the Runnin' Bulldog's final home football contest of the 2009 season (November 14th) against the Liberty Flames. To see pictures from the reunion, click here

On Saturday, November 14th Gardner-Webb University welcomed back members of eight of the most decorated teams in the history of Gardner-Webb football - 1951 Golden Isles Bowl runner-up, 1952 Golden Isles Bowl champions, 1973 Poultry Bowl runner-up, the 1987 South Atlantic Conference champions, 1992 South Atlantic Conference champions and NAIA National Championship runner-up, 2001 NCCAA Victory Bowl champions, 2002 Big South Conference champions, and 2003 Big South Conference champions. The reunion kicked off with a pre-game reception for team members followed by a recognition of all team members in attendance at halftime of the Runnin' Bulldogs final home contest of the 2009 season against the Liberty Flames. For more informaiton on these teams or to see pictures from the reunion, click here

On Saturday, November 14th, Gardner-Webb University and the football program will recognize the championship teams of Gardner-Webb football: 1951 Golden Isles Bowl, 1952 Golden Isles Bowl, 1973 Poultry Bowl, 1987 South Atlantic Conference, 1992 South Atlantic Conference and NAIA National Championship runner-up, 2001 NCCAA Victory Bowl, 2002 Big South Conference, and 2003 Big South Conference. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will close out their 2009 home schedule that afternoon as they take on, Big South Conference opponent, the Liberty Flames (game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.). At halftime of that contest, each championship team and the members in attendance will be recognized in an on-field ceremony.

The Big South Conference and its nine women's basketball playing member institutions will implement the "Fantastic Fan Program" during the 2009-2010 women’s basketball season. This loyalty program will offer attendance-based prizes, with a grand prize of a trip for two to the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, courtesy of the Big South Conference. As part of the program, all fans will receive a “Fantastic Fan Card” from their favorite team, which will be used to track their game-by-game attendance. These cards will be stamped during each women's basketball game the participating fans attend during the season. Fans will be eligible to claim prizes after the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th game attended. (more).