Gardner‑Webb Alumni Pull the Topps Card MLB Star Paul Skenes Has an Eye On

Stephen, ’23, and his father, Kevin, ’93, Uncover the One‑of‑One Livvy Dunne Card That Has Captured National Attention and Sparked a Frenzy Among Collectors

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Stephen Qualls not only followed in his father’s footsteps by graduating from Gardner-Webb University; the 2023 and 1993 alumni share a love for sports-card collecting. “My dad and I saw it as a way to connect and do something we love together,” Qualls reflected. “We love baseball, and my dad grew up collecting cards. We still call each other all the time to talk about it.”

Their longtime hobby has seen a global resurgence, with rare cards bringing in millions. Always in search of that collector’s dream, father and son increased the stakes in 2007 by purchasing their first Topps Allen & Ginter Hobby Box, which promises two premium cards. Every Christmas morning since then, they eagerly open the set and marvel over the surprises inside. One year, they pulled a one‑of‑a‑kind card containing a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte’s hair; another year, the surprise was a dinosaur fossil.

This year, they opened the box to find a one-of-one autographed card that could bring joy to others as much as sharing their hobby has blessed them. “We pulled the only autograph in the entire world of Livvy Dunne,” Qualls revealed. Dunne is a Sports Illustrated model, American influencer with a social media following of over 10 million, a former top-ranked gymnast, and she’s dating MLB star, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Paul Skenes.

Not sure what to do next, Qualls posted photos and video of his discovery on Reddit, where it received 700,000 views and 500 comments. Earlier, he had seen a Topps repost where Skenes called his girlfriend’s card the “hottest card of the year.” Everyone on Reddit offered suggestions about what Skenes might offer for the card. Ideas ranged from free game tickets for life to going on a double date with Skenes and Livvy.

Qualls’ post received attention from the official Topps Instagram and WeTheHobby, which also featured the card on a podcast. Then, “Sporting News” followed with a story. As attention grew, Goldin, a respected international auction house, notified Qualls of its interest, authenticated the card, and awarded it a top grade.

The card will appear in Goldin’s March Elite Sports Auction, which goes live on March 18 at 8 p.m. and closes on April 11 at 10 p.m. “My goal is for Skenes to get this card; however, he needs to buy it before the auction goes live,” Qualls said. “If he is late, then he will have to fight in the real-world market with other people who want the card. A lot of people want this card.”

Qualls, who earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing, wanted to share the news with his former Gardner-Webb professors, hoping the story would also bring some recognition to the University that shaped him spiritually and academically. “I know what marketing does and I wanted to give Gardner-Webb some publicity,” he explained. “I won the marketing award, top of my class, on graduation day. I’m a Runnin’ Bulldog for life.”

The GWU connection runs deep. “My dad collected cards with his buddies from Gardner-Webb, and they are all getting back into it now,” Qualls shared. “They collected all the Ken Griffey Jr. cards back in the ’90s. The running joke among all his friends was that Qualls always pulled the best cards. And so, ‘It’s that Qualls’ luck,’ is what they would say.”

Qualls prefers to call it “God’s favor.” Although he majored in marketing, he sensed a call into pastoral ministry, like his dad, grandfather and two uncles. A pivotal influence was Dr. Don Caudill in the Godbold College of Business. “He pulled me aside after class and said distinctly, ‘Stephen you are very gifted, I have only said this to one other student my whole career. But God has big things in store for you,’” Qualls remembered. “He then offered me to join his Honors invite-only seminar on ‘The Science of Success.’ I can proudly say that I have accomplished, with the help of God, of course, most of my previous goals. For example, I planned to get married, have a baby, and finish my Masters of Divinity. I graduate in fall. God has been truly great. Caudill helped me cast vision and bring it into reality. However, I must note that none of this would be possible without faith in God and his sovereign hand over my life. All glory to Jesus Christ and Him alone.”

Qualls shared that his faith was strengthened by Gardner‑Webb professors like Dr. Paula Qualls (no relation), whose teaching on Scripture and spiritual warfare helped spark his dissertation topic, “A Biblical Framework for Spiritual Warfare.” He added that the encouragement he found among fellow believers on campus and at Hope Community Church in Shelby, N.C., laid a strong foundation for his call to ministry. Qualls will graduate in the fall from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest, N.C., and plans to begin his doctorate in pastoral theology while also hoping to serve as a pastor.

Even as excitement builds around what might come from the Livvy Dunne card, Qualls’ focus is on how to use this blessing from God to benefit others. “God works in very mysterious ways and for some reason this lot has landed on me and I know that’s not a coincidence,” he asserted. “I don’t believe in luck. I believe in Providence, and I know God is going to use this for his glory. It’s not about me. It’s ultimately about getting His name known. I want to be generous with this money because it’s not my money, it’s Jesus’ money. I’m just a steward. My wife and I, when we pray through it, we’re going to bless people. We’ve never been in a position to bless people.”

Qualls also wants to use this moment to share the Gospel. “I want people to know that Jesus is Lord and He can save your soul,” Qualls stated. “At Southeastern, we have a place called the Center for Faith and Culture, and I just met with the director over there.” He expressed interest in interviewing Skenes, also noting that this month the Center is highlighting connections between sports and faith.

In addition to the podcast invitation, Qualls had a final word for the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher: “Paul Skenes, I hope you get this card.”

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. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.