Gardner-Webb Bulldog Club Continues to Break Records

Membership Growth Largest in 31 Years

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University is home to a campus of champions. Fresh off Big South Championships in Women’s Basketball and Football, a Southern Conference individual title in Wrestling, and a Men’s Tennis Big South regular season conference title, GWU is announcing another major step forward: the Gardner-Webb Bulldog Club has now grown to its largest membership total in 31 years.

Gardner-Webb President William Downs is excited to see a new and energized interest in supporting the Runnin’ Bulldogs in the stands and through membership in the Bulldog Club. Downs noted, “It’s fun to win, and the thrill of victory is contagious. With our student-athletes now reaching new levels of competitive success, we are seeing more loyal fans and friends step up their personal investment in building championship-level programs at our university.”

He continued, “I’ve said before that wishful thinking alone won’t produce winners; to win, you need resources and facilities that eclipse those of your rivals. You need scholarships. You need a fan base that is large, loud, and willing to travel…just as ours did this season in carrying Women’s Basketball to its most dominant performance in the D-1 era. Our Bulldog Club is vital to GWU’s emerging athletic prowess, and we fully intend to keep the positive momentum going.”

The Bulldog Club is an investment in student-athletes. Membership provides scholarships for nearly 600 GWU student-athletes participating in 22 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics.

“With three team and one individual conference championships and the potential for more, this year proves that championships do indeed begin with scholarships,” affirmed Vice President for Advancement Nate Evans. “We are grateful to all those that have chosen to support our student-athletes by becoming a member of the Bulldog Club. Their generosity continues to take the Runnin’ Bulldogs to new heights.”

Evans reported that membership has doubled since fiscal year 2021. “The Bulldog Club allows student-athletes the opportunity to pursue their education while competing in the sport they love,” he stated. “Last year, more than 1,000 donors supported our student-athletes and GWU Athletics through either the Bulldog Club or a donation to sport-specific MyTeam Fund. With Double Dawg Day coming up on April 20, we are on pace for even greater success. This new era of GWU Athletics will be defined by a winning culture.”

Gardner-Webb alumna, and former track and field athlete, and Bulldog Club scholarship recipient, Kelsey Houser, has fond memories of her time as a Runnin’ Bulldog. “Five years as a student-athlete teaches persistence, mental toughness, and endurance,” Houser related. “However, it also teaches that behind every individual is a well-built support system. Between teammates, coaches, trainers, and staff, I always knew there was someone in my corner. Gardner-Webb is a community in every aspect, and I could not be more blessed by the impact the Gardner-Webb family has made in my life.”

While members of the GWU Bulldog Club are eligible for exclusive benefits like pre-game hospitality meal access, GWU apparel, priority seating, and more, the most important aspect of the membership is helping GWU student athletes to achieve their academic, athletic, and spiritual goals. Those who wish to join can do so at any time during the year. To find out more, 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.