Donations on Double Dawg Day Contribute to Men’s Soccer Big South Tournament Championship

Head Coach Scott Wells Credits New Field House with Building Winning Culture

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In April 2024, a state-of-the-art Soccer Field House opened on the campus of Gardner-Webb University. This new facility was funded by generous donations from GWU supporters—many who donated on Double Dawg Day. By November 2024, the men’s soccer team was celebrating its first-ever Big South Tournament Championship.

Soccer Head Coach Scott Wells promised to cultivate a new GWU soccer mindset, and the new field house provided the catalyst the team needed. “It has almost been a year since we moved in to our new home; our culture grew so much that day,” Wells affirmed. “We live day in and day out like we should—A championship Division 1 program. The message it has sent to our future players is the following: You have to earn the right to be in this building day in, day out. To have your name above that locker has to come with a massive sense of responsibility. This would not have been possible without the support and donations of so many. We will continue to strive to fill these walls with championship trophies.” 

The new facility with its locker rooms, team meeting and athletic training spaces is impressive to recruits.

Team captain Giampaolo Nardi, a graduate student, described how the Soccer Field House has bolstered the team’s confidence. “It has everything necessary to ensure a positive experience and drive championship success,” he observed. “Having a dedicated space where we can meet as a team and establish a strong culture is essential to our growth and achievement.”

Nardi is grateful to the alumni, friends and fans who donated. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a role in turning this dream into a reality,” he asserted. “This achievement would not have been possible without your generous support. The Big South Conference championship is as much a testament to the dedication of the players as it is to the generosity of our donors.” 

On the team’s way to the Big South Tournament Championship, Wells led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a 13-4-3 overall mark, the most wins in program history, including the first undefeated conference record (5-0-2) since joining the Big South in 2007.

The team also recorded a pair of wins over top 25 opponents and defeated nationally-ranked High Point to close out the regular season. GWU finished the regular season unbeaten on its home pitch after garnering a +11 scoring margin. The 35 goals scored were tops in the league.

While Wells’ team was stellar on offense, they were equally stout on defense, leading the Big South with a conference-high six clean sheets on the season. Wells also helped to coach a program-record eight student-athletes to the Big South All-Conference Team.

Nardi was one of the eight who earned the Big South All-Conference honors, and he was named the 2024 Big South Men’s Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year. He carried a 3.975 GPA while studying economics/finance. While he appreciates the new Field House, it is not what he values most about being at Gardner-Webb. “Gardner-Webb is not about the place, it is about the people,” Nardi stated. “I am lucky to have met the most incredible people here who will be in my life forever. Not only am I blessed to be able to play the sport I love, but to have met teammates, coaches, and staff that have truly become my family along the way.”

After the accolades, the Runnin’ Bulldogs took down Oregon State 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Gardner-Webb’s first outright win in the national tournament.

“Scott’s efforts have helped us perform at a level nobody outside of our organization thought possible,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew Goodrich. “His ability to develop genuine and meaningful relationships with his players and staff has created a culture of competitive excellence that led to the best season in Gardner-Webb history and under his continued leadership, we genuinely aspire to win the National Championship.”

Wells, a Coventry, England native, became the third head coach in program history on Dec. 22, 2022. He arrived at Gardner-Webb following a successful stint as Associate Head Coach and lead recruiter for UNC Greensboro. While at UNCG, Wells helped to guide the Spartans into a top five national program.

Double Dawg Day – April 10

On this annual day of giving, donors can take advantage of matching opportunities that could double the impact of their giving. These matching donations are made possible thanks to the generosity of other donors. Faculty and staff have the convenient option of donating through payroll deduction.

Choose the people, programs and causes you want to support across the GWU campus. Some options include:

• University Priority Fund, which supports the greatest needs of the University.
• Annual Fund, which supports student scholarships.
• School/College Priority Fund, which provides the dean with the ability to respond quickly to emerging opportunities, transform the student experience and strengthen operational capacity.
• The University’s 22 athletic teams, which supports facilities and training.

For more information about #DoubleDawgDay or to become a Social Media Advocate for the day, click here.

Gardner-Webb University 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., Gardner-Webb 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. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.