The Arthur Joseph “Pepper” Geddings, Jr. Athletic Leadership Award

This award is in memory of former Wingate baseball player Pepper Geddings. The award stands for everything that is right about college athletics: athletic ability, scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service. Pepper Geddings was a once-in-a-lifetime student-athlete who made his mark on Wingate University in his short two years. A star baseball player for Hall of Fame coach Ron Christopher, Pepper went on to study at Appalachian State University. He was tragically killed when he was struck by a baseball in a scrimmage game at Wingate.

2007 Winner
Kristin Newman, swimming

Kristin Newman was a two-time First Team All-American in 2007. In addition, she was a First Team CSCAA Academic All-American Scholar-Athlete in 2007. She was a CSCAA honorable mention Academic All-American Scholar-Athlete in 2005.

A 15-time All-Conference performer (over four years), she won five conference titles during her career. A 2007 co-captain, she set one conference record and four school records in 2007.

Outside of the pool, she was the National Girls and Women in Sport Day Award winner for Wingate University (2007). Also, she was the Co-Chair for the Special Olympics Swimming venue (2006 & 2007). The Wingate University women’s swimming team won the Civic Group of the Year from the Union County Special Olympics in 2005. She is involved in Leadership Fellows and Sigma Sigma Sigma (Education Director).