2008 Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Audley Bell	Bill Foster	Dr. Jerry Pierce	Dave Thomas

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Wingate University announces
2008 Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Wingate, N.C.----Four new members will be added to an impressive list during the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Friday evening, October 10, 2008. Tennis standout Audley Bell (class of 1971), basketball legend Bill Foster (class of 1956), baseball catcher Dr. Jerry Pierce (class of 1964) and football offensive lineman Dave Thomas (class of 1957) will join 60 other Bulldog luminaries in the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.   

For the third year in a row, the Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be a part of the Wingate University athletic department gala. In addition to the Sports Hall of Fame festivities, the athletic department will sponsor a silent auction before the induction ceremonies and a live auction at the conclusion of the evening.

In addition to the four Sports Hall of Fame inductions, the Wingate University athletic department will honor a Team of Distinction at the banquet. The Team of Distinction for 2008 is the 1995 Bulldog women’s volleyball team, coached by James Mumford.

Bell won two national tennis championships with the Bulldogs. Wingate won the NJCAA men’s tennis crown in 1970 and 1971 under the direction of head coach (and WU Sports Hall of Fame member) Ron Smarr. A native of Jamaica, Bell played for his home country in the Davis Cup.

After his days at Wingate, Bell transferred to Wake Forest University. He received his B.S. degree in management (cum laude) from Boston College. Bell is the Vice-President for Internal Audit for Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta.

Foster played basketball two seasons for head coaching icon Reid Lowder at Wingate. A member of multiple Sports Halls of Fame, Foster was the head men’s basketball at Shorter (Ga.), UNC Charlotte, Clemson, Miami and Virginia Tech during a very successful coaching career.

Eleven of Foster’s players enjoyed distinguished NBA careers, including Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell, the MVP of the 1981 NBA play-offs. Foster won 532 basketball games during an illustrious coaching career. He began the basketball program for the Charlotte 49ers. Foster still holds the Clemson record for career winning percentage.

Pierce played two seasons for WU Sports Hall of Fame coach Dr. Ron Christopher. A catcher, Pierce hit .348 as a freshman and .286 as a sophomore for the Bulldogs. Following his time at Wingate, he was an All-Carolinas Conference selection at Appalachian State. He hit .379 his senior season for the Mountaineers, earning the Carolinas Conference batting title and gaining ASU team MVP honors.

A Wingate University Distinguished Alumnus Award winner, Pierce earned his A.A. degree at Wingate, his B.S. at Appalachian State and his MBA and Ph.D. at LaSalle. Pierce has been very involved in civic and community activities in Cabarrus County, serving on the school board and the board of deacons at First Presbyterian Church in Concord.

Thomas followed a stellar athletic career with a significant contribution to the world of education. At Wingate, he played football for Bulldog coaching legend George Tucker. Thomas played only one season for the Bulldogs, as Wingate reinstated the program during his sophomore season (1956).

A guard for the football team, Thomas played two seasons as a reserve catcher for the baseball Bulldogs. At East Carolina University, Thomas played three seasons for the Pirates. He started two years on both offense and defense for ECU.

A member of the ECU Sports Hall of Fame, Thomas spent 12 years as a teacher, athletic director and coach at Aycock High School in Pikeville, N.C. He spent 18 years in the Wayne County Public Schools central office as the Director of Health, Physical Education, Safety and Athletics. Thomas is also a member of the N.C. Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and the Aycock High School Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and athletic department gala are $25. For more information about the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, contact committee chairman Bill Nash at 704-233-8121. Nash can be reached via E-mail at bilnash@wingate.edu.

Wingate University announces
2007 Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Jill Deardorff	Jimmy Fortenberry	Jerry Ratchford	Bill Walters

07 Photo Gallery

Wingate, N.C.----Four new members will be added to an impressive list during the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Friday evening, October 19, 2007. Baseball outfielder Jimmy Fortenberry (class of 1986), women’s tennis student-athlete Jill Deardorff (class of 1992), football offensive lineman Jerry Ratchford (class of 1992) and golfer Bill Walters (class of 1956) will join 56 other Bulldog legends in the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.

For the second year in a row, the Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be a part of the Wingate University athletic department gala. In addition to the Sports Hall of Fame festivities, the athletic department will sponsor a silent auction before the induction ceremonies and a live auction at the conclusion of the evening.

In addition to the four Sports Hall of Fame inductions, the Wingate University athletic department will honor a Team of Distinction at the banquet. The Team of Distinction for 2007 is the 1987-88 women’s basketball team, coached by WU Sports Hall of Fame member Johnny Jacumin.

Fortenberry posted a .346 batting average with 24 home runs and 111 RBI during his Bulldog tenure. In 1982, he hit .426 with eight home runs and 38 RBI. An All-Carolinas Conference and All-NAIA District 26 performer, Fortenberry was drafted in the fifth round of the 1984 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He advanced to Triple A.

Fortenberry was a Florida State League All-Star in 1986. He was named a top ten prospect in the Phillies organization by the Baseball America magazine. Fortenberry is currently a financial adviser for AXA Financial. He and his wife Cindy live in Denver with their two children.

Deardorff was the first senior college tennis student-athlete to advance to a national tournament. The 1990 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, Deardorff qualified for the NAIA national tournament as an individual the same year. Wingate’s number one player for three years, Deardorff was the MVP of the 1990 Food Lion SAC tournament.

Ratchford was a mainstay on the Bulldog offensive line as a four-year starter. He earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors and All-American laurels in 1990. A Juvenile Court Counselor, Ratchford and his wife Michaell P. Ratchford live in Stony Point with their three children. He is very active in his church and his community.

Walters was undefeated in two years of intercollegiate play at Wingate. He won the North Carolina Junior College tournament at Stanly Country Club. After two very successful years at Wingate, he continued his golf career at Pfeiffer.

Walters played on the professional tour for five years in the state of Maine. A life-long educator, he was the long-time principal at Marshville Elementary School. Walters and his wife Elizabeth live in Marshville.

Tickets for the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and athletic department gala are $25. For more information about the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, contact committee chairman Bill Nash at 704-233-8121. Nash can be reached via E-mail at bilnash@wingate.edu

• 06 Photo Gallery
• 05 Photo Gallery
• 03 Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Pictures

Nolan Leonard	Cindy Lowery James	Jeff Waisner

2006 Inductees

Wingate, N.C.----Three new names were added to an impressive list during the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Friday evening, September 29, 2006. Baseball shortstop Nolan “Obe” Leonard (class of 1965), trailblazing women’s basketball player Cindy Lowery James (class of 1973) and baseball third baseman Jeff Waisner (class of 1982) joined 53 other Bulldog legends in the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.

For the first time in Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame history, the induction ceremonies were part of the Wingate University athletic department gala. In addition to the Sports Hall of Fame festivities, the athletic department sponsored a silent auction in conjunction with the induction ceremonies.

Nolan “Obe” Leonard and his teammates helped lead the Bulldogs to two appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1964 and 1965. A model of consistency, Leonard hit .330 in 1964 and .331 in 1965.

He earned All-Conference and All-Region honors following his freshman and sophomore seasons. Leonard was named an honorable mention NJCAA All-American after his sophomore campaign.

Leonard continued his baseball career at UNC Chapel Hill following his time at Wingate. During his junior season (1966), Leonard and his Tar Heel teammates earned a trip to the NCAA Division I World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. A native of Lexington, N.C., Leonard currently resides in Little River, S.C.

Cindy Lowery James played basketball at Wingate for two seasons. Following her Bulldog basketball career, she played two seasons at Catawba College. The Catawba Indians won the state championship during her senior season, defeating North Carolina State University to win the title.

Since 1992, James has served as the physical education teacher at Wingate Elementary School. She is very active in school and community activities. For 16 years, she has served as a volunteer for the local Special Olympics. 

In 1997, James was honored as the Teacher of the Year at Wingate Elementary. She was nominated for the N.C. Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award in 2002.

James has earned regional and local awards for her service to others. She won the Association of Retarded Citizens/North Carolina Parent Volunteer of the Year Award in 1993. On a local level, she won Wingate Community Recreation’s Charles Ray Williams Community Service Award in 1990.

One of the first girls to play Little League baseball in Wingate, James is a native of Union County. She and her husband Roger reside in Wingate.

Jeff Waisner was All-Carolinas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) and All-NAIA District 26 three years each during his Bulldog baseball career. Waisner hit .326 with 14 doubles, eight home runs and 51 RBI in 1981 as Wingate advanced to the NAIA Area 7 tournament championship game the same year.

Wingate won back-to-back CIAC regular season and tournament titles in 1981 and 1982. The 1981 team won the NAIA District 26 title and advanced to the title game of the NAIA Area 7 tournament in West Virginia.

A three-year team captain, Waisner hit .306 for his Bulldog career with 26 home runs and 114 RBI. Following his graduation, Waisner signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1982.

Waisner has served as the director of the Anson County Parks and Recreation Department since 1997. He has worked with the Chicago White Sox as an associate scout since 1993. Prior to his experiences with the White Sox, he was an associate scout with the New York Yankees for six years.

He is chairman of the State Employees Credit Union in Wadesboro. In addition, Waisner is chairman of the Anson County Special Olympics. A very active volunteer, Waisner has coached numerous youth teams, including a 12-year-old team that advanced to the Little League World Series in 1992. He lives in Peachland, N.C.

In addition to the three Sports Hall of Fame inductions, the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame honored two Teams of Distinction at the banquet. The Teams of Distinction for 2006 were the 1965 baseball team and the 1981 baseball team, both coached by Dr. Ron Christopher.

For more information about the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, contact committee chairman Bill Nash at 704-233-8381. Nash can be reached via E-mail at bilnash@wingate.edu.

Tony Coble	James Gordon	Chip Lewis

2005 Inductees

Wingate, N.C.----Three Wingate University athletic superstars were inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, October 8, 2005.

Baseball outfielder Tony Coble (class of 1990), football lineman James (Smokey) Gordon (class of 1958) and standout golfer Chip Lewis (class of 1967) join 50 other Bulldog legends in the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Coble was an All-American as a senior for Hall of Fame head coach Ron Christopher. Coble batted .419 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI during his final campaign. The 1990 SAC and NAIA District 26 Player of the Year, Coble earned All-South Atlantic Conference and All-Region honors prior to his All-American distinction.

For his Wingate career, Coble batted .339 with 45 home runs and 153 RBI. Following graduation, Coble signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.  

As a sophomore, Gordon earned All-American honors as the Bulldogs compiled a 9-1 overall record. Gordon and his teammates won the state and regional championships in 1957. Gordon’s sophomore season (1957) was only the second year of Wingate football since 1941. 

In the Charlotte Observer on Friday, Dec. 13, 1957, Gordon was called “a demon at both offense and defense. He prefers the defensive role of fifth man in the opponents’ backfield.” Gordon was the South’s lone representative on the 1957 National Junior College Athletic Association All-American first team.

Lewis played two years of golf at Wingate before transferring to Wake Forest University. He will be inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame posthumously. 

Lewis led the Bulldogs to two conference regular season championships and two tournament titles during his career. Wingate did not lose a dual match during his two-year tenure. As a sophomore, Lewis placed second in the conference championships.

Lewis captured the North State junior championship and the AMBUC Golf tournament played at Wildwood Country Club. Lewis played in the U.S. Open.

In addition to the inductions, the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame will honor a Team of Distinction at the banquet. The Team of Distinction for 2005 is the 1958 football team. Wingate played in the Pine Bowl in 1958.

The Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame committee has made two changes to the eligibility standards for induction.

The committee unanimously voted to extend the waiting period for induction eligibility to ten years from the date of graduation/separation from Wingate. In addition, a coach, administrator or staff member must serve Wingate University for a period of ten years to be eligible for induction.

Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame members must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

For more information about the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, contact committee chairman Bill Nash at 704-233-8381. Nash can be reached via E-mail at bilnash@wingate.edu.

Kerrie Porter		Chris Huntley		Danny Lampley

2004 Inductees

Wingate, N.C.---- Three Wingate University athletic superstars were inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, October 23, 2004. The three newest members of this elite group are men’s basketball forward Chris Huntley (’91), baseball pitcher Danny Lampley (’98) and softball catcher Kerrie Porter (’99).

The inductees were honored at a dinner on Saturday, Oct. 23. The Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame dinner was held in the LaVerne Banquet Hall on the Wingate campus.

Huntley finished his career with 1,613 career points. At the time of his graduation, he was second on Wingate’s senior college scoring charts (he is currently fifth). He led the South Atlantic Conference in scoring as a junior with 23.2 ppg (1989-90).

Huntley earned honorable mention NAIA All-American honors in 1990 (his junior year). In addition, he was All-SAC and All-NAIA District 26 the same season.

As a sophomore, Huntley averaged 16.4 ppg and 6.2 rpg. He led the Bulldogs to the finals of the Carolinas Conference tournament his sophomore year. For his efforts, he was named All-Carolinas Conference.

Lampley is the NCAA Division II all-time strikeout leader with 473. He earned third team All-American honors his junior and senior seasons (1997, 1998). Lampley was All-South Region in 1998 and All-South Central Region in 1997.

A three-time All-SAC honoree, Lampley was the league’s “freshman of the year” in 1995 as Wingate compiled a 46-10 overall record and spent one week as the number one team in the nation.

Lampley holds numerous SAC records, including strikeouts in a career, season and game. In addition, he holds numerous Wingate career records, including strikeouts (473), innings pitched (391.2), wins (34), complete games (31) and ERA (2.62).

The Bulldogs won the SAC regular season and tournament titles in 1995 and 1996. The team shared the SAC tournament crown with Presbyterian in 1998. Wingate advanced to NCAA Division II playoffs twice during his career (1995, 1996).

Porter was the SAC “player of the year” in 1999. She was an All-SAC performer for four years, earning first team laurels three times. As a senior, she hit .401 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI.

An All-South Atlantic Region performer, Porter hit .404 her junior year with six home runs and 42 RBI. She led the SAC in hitting as a sophomore with a .475 average. She had eight home runs and 51 RBI as a sophomore. For her career, she hit .406.

Porter holds numerous SAC and Wingate records, including doubles in a season (22) and RBI in a season (54). As senior, Porter led Wingate to the SAC regular season and tournament titles.

Chris Huntley

• Second on Wingate’s all-time scoring list with 1,613 career points
• Led SAC in scoring his junior year with 23.2 ppg (1990)
• All-SAC and All-NAIA District 26 (1990)
• Honorable mention NAIA All-American (1990)
• All-CIAC as a sophomore, averaging 16.4 ppg and 6.2 rpg (1989)
• Wingate was 17-13 in 1989, advancing to the finals of the Carolinas Conference tournament
• As a senior, he averaged 15.5 ppg (1991)
• Scored 30 points or more seven times in his Wingate career, including a career-high 38 points against Barber-Scotia (1990)
• Final career stats are 15.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg

October 23, 2004

• NCAA Division II all-time strikeout leader with 473
• Third team All-American, two years (1998, 1997)
• All-South Region (1998)
• All-South Central Region (1997)
• SAC “freshman of the year” (1995) as team compiled 46-10 record
• All-SAC, first team (three years)
• Holds numerous SAC records, including strikeouts in a career, season and game
• Holds numerous Wingate career records, including strikeouts (473), innings pitched (391.2), wins (34), complete games (31) and ERA (2.62)
• Team won SAC regular season and tournament titles (1995, 1996)
• Team advanced to NCAA Division II playoffs (1995, 1996)

Inducted October 23, 2004

Kerrie Porter

• Four-year starter
• SAC “player of the year” (1999)
• First team All-SAC, three years (1999, 1998, 1997)
• Second team All-SAC, one year (1996)
• All-South Atlantic Region performer
• Senior year hit .401 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI
• Junior year hit .404 with six home runs and 42 RBI
• Sophomore year hit .475 with eight home runs and 51 RBI
• Led SAC in hitting (1997)
• Career batting average of .406
• Holds numerous SAC and Wingate records, including doubles in a season (22) and RBI in a season (54)
• Team won SAC regular season and tournament titles (1999)

Inducted October 23, 2004

2003 Inductees

Wingate, N.C.---- Three Wingate University athletic superstars were inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday morning, Nov. 15, 2003. The Wingate Sports Hall of Fame class of 2003 includes men’s soccer midfielder Sean Bakes (B.A., ’97, MBA, ’00), baseball outfielder Harry Greene (’66) and basketball forward Everette Pigg (’51).

The inductees were honored at a brunch on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003. The Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame brunch was held in the LaVerne Banquet Hall on the Wingate campus.

Bakes is only the second student-athlete with both a WU undergraduate and masters degree to earn admission to the Sports Hall of Fame. Bakes brought a winning attitude to the Bulldogs when he arrived on campus in the fall of 1993. Wingate was 55-22-4 overall during his career. The team won one match the year before his arrival.

A four-time All-South Atlantic Conference performer, Bakes led the Bulldogs to the SAC regular season title and Food Lion SAC tournament crown in 1994. Bakes also earned All-Region honors for two seasons under the direction of head coach Gary Hamill.

Thanks to his playmaking ability, the Bulldogs averaged 3.15 goals per match during his career. Bakes earned the Geddings Leadership Award at Wingate’s 1997 athletic awards ceremony. He coached the Wingate women’s soccer team for one season as a graduate student. Bakes lives in Birmingham, England. He works inside sales for Allvac.

Harry Greene earned NJCAA first team All-American honors in 1966 for head coach Ron Christopher. A two-time All-Conference and All-Region selection, Greene earned a spot on the NJCAA World Series all-tournament team in 1966. He hit .354 in 1965 and .379 in 1966.

His career stats included a .367 batting average with seven home runs, 31 RBI and 33 stolen bases. After a very successful career at Wingate, Greene played two seasons at Florida State University. Greene resides in Kannapolis.

Everette Pigg played on the best men’s basketball team in Wingate University history. In 1950-51, Wingate was 40-3 overall. Pigg contributed 14 points per game during the 1950-51 season. The Bulldogs lost one junior college game at the NJCAA national tournament in Kansas. Wingate’s other two losses came at the hands of the North Carolina State and Wake Forest freshman teams.

A two-year starter, Pigg and his teammates compiled a 70-8 overall record over two seasons. The team advanced to the NJCAA national tournament both seasons. Following his Wingate career, Pigg played two seasons at Furman University. Furman was named “most improved team” in the NCAA during the 1951-52 season.

During a stint in the Army, Pigg made the All-Alaska Army team and played in the All-Army tournament. A lifelong educator and coach (including a successful stint as head varsity boys’ basketball coach at North Mecklenburg), Pigg helped establish Camp Chatuga and served as camp director for 37 summers.

Pigg was the executive director of a nationally recognized drop-out prevention program for five summers. Pigg and his wife Claire reside in Midland.

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Pictures

Sean Bakes, Harry Greene, and Everette Pigg

Sean Bakes and Athletic Director Steve Poston

Harry Greene and Athletic Director Steve Poston

Everette Pigg and Athletic Director Steve Poston

Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame inductees