news-category: Athletics Gardner-Webb Signs Tre Lamb to Contract Extension By Web Communications On July 18, 2023 Reigning Big South Coach of the Year led ‘Dawgs to conference title & FCS Playoffs in historic 2022 season BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Head Football Coach Tre Lamb, the reigning Big South Conference Coach of the Year, has signed a contract extension, the Department of Athletics announced on Tuesday. This past season, Lamb led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to their first conference championship in 19 years and the program’s first-ever berth in FCS Playoffs. “At GWU we celebrate having a head coach who is a defending conference champion,” said University President Dr. William M. Downs. “We celebrate having a head coach who is driven to scale new heights. Tre Lamb has brought excitement, confidence, and success to our football program. We turned a corner last season and now it’s time to elevate. Coach Lamb has our continuing confidence and our full support.” Last season’s historic success concluded with a perfect 5-0 mark in conference play and a first-round playoff victory at Eastern Kentucky University, 52-41. The season ended with a 7-6 overall record, the program’s best record since 2013, despite playing one of the toughest schedules in FCS football that featured three games versus FBS teams and three games versus ranked FCS opponents. “Tre’s impact on the field is known by many: the Big South Championship, the Coach of the Year award, our first win in FCS playoffs history,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich. “But his impact in the classroom and in the community is what makes him very special. When you meet his players, it gives me confidence that these young men are developing the character and confidence to be champions here and now and into the future, as I believe the best is yet to come.” In 2022, Lamb coached 13 Runnin’ Bulldogs who received all-conference recognition, including quarterback Bailey Fisher, who was named Big South Offensive Player of the Year, defensive end Ty French, who was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, and linebacker Ty Anderson, who was named Defensive Freshman of the Year. Additionally, French received Second-Team All-America recognition from the Associated Press and Phil Steele Magazine, while wide receiver TJ Luther received a third-team nod from Phil Steele and defensive back Raequon Ousley earned Third-Team All-America honors from Stats Perform. “I am thankful for our administration and the Cleveland County community for embracing me and my family from the beginning here at GWU as we have made a home and grown our family,” said Lamb. “It has been a pleasure to come to work every day. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice of our players and staff. It has shown great results and we look forward to the future. The best is yet to come. We will continue to build a championship caliber football program on and off the field. The vision and support is here from the top with Dr. Downs and Dr. Goodrich, all the way to the donors and our board of trustees. To have them acknowledge the progress we have made and to commit to going further is an honor I do not take lightly. We will earn it every day.” Gardner-Webb returns 21 starters and 57 letter winners from last year’s championship team, including nine all-conference players. The ‘Dawgs open the 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Appalachian State University. The team’s home opener is Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Elon, with opening kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. The five-game home slate also features a playoff rematch with Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 21) and conference matchups with Robert Morris University (Oct. 7), UT Martin (Oct. 28), and Charleston Southern University (Nov. 18), as Gardner-Webb embarks on its first season of competition in the newly formed Big South-OVC Football Association. Season tickets for the 2023 season, including access to Spangler Stadium’s new premium seats, can be ordered here. Order Season Tickets Join the Bulldog Club
News Article Gardner-Webb Hires Jeffrey Merrill as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance New Officer Brings a Decade of Experience to the Position BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University has hired Jeffrey Merrill as its new assistant athletic director for compliance, announced Vice President & Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich this week. Merrill joins Gardner-Webb after 10 years at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C., where he most […] Office of University Communications | May 9, 2024
News Article Two-Time Reigning Football Champs Announce Full 2024 Schedule Season tickets now available for purchase to Bulldog Club Members, open to general public on May 7 BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The two-time reigning conference champion Gardner-Webb football team has announced its complete schedule for the upcoming 2024 season. The four-game non-conference slate and eight-game conference lineup opens on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. […] Office of University Communications | April 30, 2024
News Article Gardner-Webb Supporters Surpass Double Dawg Day Records with $1.4 Million Raised University Receives 1,366 Gifts to Fund Scholarships, Academic Programs, and Athletics BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Faithful supporters answered the call in a big way on Gardner-Webb University’s ninth annual Double Dawg Day, April 11, setting new and impressive records for philanthropic giving. The one-day fundraising total reached its highest dollar amount ever — $1.4 million. New heights […] Office of University Communications | April 12, 2024