Double Dawg Day Gifts Help Baseball Team Serve People in the Dominican Republic

Players Host Baseball Clinics for Children, Visit Nursing Homes and Provide Food for Families 

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Double Dawg Day, Gardner-Webb’s annual day of giving, is a special event across campus—impacting academic departments, students, and the University’s 22 athletic teams. This year’s event is coming up on April 10. 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.

In the past, Head Baseball Coach Jim Chester has utilized Double Dawg Day gifts toward the completion of the Masters Melton Indoor Baseball Facility, the new bullpen, and other program enhancements. These updates help the program to recruit and retain student-athletes and post wins.

However, Double Dawg Day gifts in 2024 went beyond the game of baseball. “Last year’s Double Dawg Day was extra special,” Chester noted. “It allowed our program to have a transformational experience: a mission trip to the Dominican Republic!”

The donations on Double Dawg Day, along with a contribution from Burning Bush Ministries in Pittsburgh, Pa., made the trip a reality for 48 players, 10 coaches and chaperones, including Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott. They ministered to groups of all ages—children, nursing home residents, villagers needing food—and worshipped with believers in another language.

Chester continued, “Those five days were impactful to everyone that traveled there and the people of the Santo Domingo region. It would not have been possible without donor help; their selflessness provided an experience our student-athletes will never forget!”

Junior Reid Bertram added his appreciation to everyone who took the time to give last year. “I’m super grateful for Double Dawg Day and the donors that made the trip possible,” Bertram stated. “That was my first time traveling outside of the country, and being able to experience baseball and faith in a place like the Dominican Republic is something that I’ll never forget. It also paid dividends for our team and the culture we aim to create.”

Every major league team has a baseball academy in the Dominican, and 10% of the major league players are from the country. The Runnin’ Bulldogs experienced the joy of playing baseball with children, as well as the excitement of contending with aspiring MLB players at the Pittsburgh Pirates facility.

Team member Lawson Knight, a senior, said the team created lasting memories from the short time they were in the Dominican. “With the support from our community, we were able to not only enjoy the trip but also to share our faith and give back to the community,” Knight stated. “It was amazing to see their culture and how they play baseball. Their passion for the game made the experience even better, and we learned a lot from them, while also teaching them the way we play. Overall, it was a great experience that we will never forget. Thanks to everyone for the donations to make this trip possible.”

Nick Capozzi, a graduate student, said some of his favorite parts of the trip were playing baseball and holding clinics with the children. Driving into some of the villages was an adventure because the road was barely wide enough for the buses. “It was great to work with the kids, finding other ways to communicate with them, and then learn from all of them,” he reflected. “On Sunday, our whole team went to a church. It was basically a house right on the road. They were singing the whole time, and the windows were open.”

Double Dawg Day – April 10

This is a day to increase scholarships, advance championships and have an impact on current and future students at Gardner-Webb University. 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.

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.