In Recognition of the Title IX 50th Anniversary, GWU’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Honors Women Record-Breakers

Inductees are Joan Cline-Backhaus, Christa Fullwood, Emily Harrellson, Dominique Hudson and Phyllis Littlefield Moore

In honor of the impact of Title IX on collegiate athletics at Gardner-Webb, the 2022 class celebrated women trailblazers, pioneers and record-breakers. This list included Joan Cline-Backhaus (Basketball, 1957-59), Christa Fullwood (Softball, 2008-2010), Emily Harrellson (Cross Country/Softball, 1994-98), Dominique Hudson (Basketball, 2007-2011), and Phyllis Littlefield Moore (Basketball/Volleyball, 1975-79).    

A legend of the basketball court while at Gardner-Webb, Joan Cline Backhaus was a two-time All-State selection during Gardner-Webb’s junior college years. She averaged 34 points per game as a Runnin’ Bulldog, and also served as a GW cheerleader. She once scored 72 points in a high school game and was known for her dominating presence on the court as a team leader. Backhaus earns the Athletics hall of fame honor posthumously.  

Christa Fullwood ranks in the top-five in Runnin’ Bulldogs softball history in total bases, RBIs, doubles and batting average. Her .460 batting average from 2009 is the second-best in program history, and she finished her career with a .380 batting average, 31 doubles, 20 homeruns, and 107 RBIs. Fullwood was a two-time All-Big South Conference first team honoree, two-time NCCSIA All-State recipient, and a 2010 second-team NFCA All-Region (Mid-Atlantic) selection. 

Emily Harrellson lettered in basketball, cross country and softball while at Gardner-Webb. She graduated with a 3.78 GPA while double-majoring in business and physical education. Her academic achievements helped to earn her the First Union SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in cross country (1997), the First Union SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in softball (1998), and she was recognized three times as a Division II Academic All American (twice for cross country and once in softball). Harrellson was also recognized with the South Atlantic Conference Presidential Award, and was named to the All-SAC first team in cross country (1996, 1997). She earned All-SAC second-team honors twice in softball (1996,1998). In 1996, she was a member of the Runnin’ Bulldogs softball squad that finished the season with a 30-14 record and was a part of the 1997 Food Lion SAC Tournament Championship team. Harrellson also played 25 games as a freshman on the basketball court for the ‘dawgs. 

Dominique Hudson finished her career as GWU’s Division I all-time leading scorer with 1,407 career points on the basketball court, which ranks fifth all-time in GWU history. She was also the ‘Dawgs DI career assists leader (579) and steals leader (244). Hudson also ranked first in GWU’s DI career record book in games played (129), minutes played (3545) and free throws made (419). She ranked second in GWU DI history in most games started (102), third in field goals made (443) and fifth in three-pointers made (102). During the 2009-10 season, Hudson picked up a DI single season record for GW with 78 steals. Hudson earned a spot on the 2010-11 Big South Presidential Honor Roll and was the Big South leader in assists (194) for 2011, a GWU regular season record for the DI era. Hudson led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a WNIT appearance (2010) after winning the Big South regular season title, and first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011. She was a member of the 2008 Big South All-Freshmen team, two-time All-Big South Conference selection, three-time Big South All-Tournament Team honoree, and the 2011 Big South Tournament MVP.  

Phyllis Littlefield Moore was the first coach for Women’s Basketball and Volleyball during the senior college era. She was a pioneer and advocate for women’s athletics at Gardner-Webb in the 1970s. From 1975-79, her basketball teams held a 56-21 record (72.7%), and in just the fourth season as a four-year school, she led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a 21-4 record.  

Related Links:

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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.