Gardner-Webb Sells Tickets for Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships

Women’s Team is No. 1 Seed; Men’s Team Awaiting Results of Final Games

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Fans of the Runnin’ Bulldogs have plenty to celebrate with the start of March Madness and the upcoming Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships. The Gardner-Webb women’s team has already clinched the Big South regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the postseason tournament, and the men’s team enters the final stretch of the season with some solid wins. 

“The Gardner-Webb fanbase remembers well the excitement that enveloped our campus and our community the last time we won a basketball championship back in 2019,” noted GWU President Dr. William M. Downs. “Now, with one regular season trophy already firmly in hand, our 2023 teams are poised to make this another storybook finish. Our teams are well coached. They play with intensity and heart. Most importantly, they feed off the energy in the arena. No Cinderella stories this season…our teams deserve to be in the mix and they deserve large and loud crowds supporting them throughout February and then deep into March.”

The women’s team has two more home games in Paul Porter Arena before the Big South Tournament. You’re invited to cheer on the ‘Dawgs on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. when the women take on UNC-Asheville, and again on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. for senior day as the regular season wraps against USC-Upstate. 

On Thursday (Feb. 23), fans have a chance to bolster the men’s team for the game at home against Longwood. The contest, which features senior night for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, will be broadcast on ESPNU. “We need to get as many fans as possible in the building,” urged Vice President & Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich. “We have a great opportunity to help our university and basketball brand when we host a game on ESPNU.”

And for your final chance to show support during Big South play, you can watch the men and women bring home a tournament championship on March 1-5 at Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. Tickets are on sale now at gwusports.com.

“Champions act like champions before they become champions,” Goodrich noted. “So if you want to enjoy the fun of watching your Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs play in the NCAA Tournament as Big South Conference Champions, help make that dream a reality by coming to the games and cheering our teams to victory.” 

Women’s Basketball Head Coach Alex Simmons is also looking for a huge turnout from the fans. “The Big South tournament is an opportunity to showcase to our family, friends and fans everything that we have been working for this season,” she asserted. “The atmosphere is electric, and we need all the Runnin’ Bulldog fans to be there to be loud and proud! It would be a huge success for our teams to have the support in the stands and feel the love from the Gardner Webb community!”

Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tim Craft says fans don’t want to miss the thrill of the tournament experience. “The Big South Championship in the historic Bojangles Coliseum will be one of the most exciting sporting events of the year,” he promised. “Please buy your tickets to travel to Charlotte to support your Runnin’ Bulldogs!”

The general tournament schedule follows:

• March 1 – Women’s first round at Noon and 2 p.m., with men’s games at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• March 2 – Women’s quarterfinals at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• March 3 – Men’s quarterfinals at Noon, 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• March 4 – Men’s semifinals at Noon and 2 p.m., women’s games at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• March 5 – Men’s championship at 1 p.m., women’s game at 6 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased here. A tournament ticket book, which covers all 18 games, is $100. Single game tickets are $15 each.

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.