Gardner-Webb Athletics to Induct Three Outstanding Alumni into Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Annual Gala Celebration Scheduled for Nov. 6 in Tucker Student Center

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University will celebrate the accomplishments of three exceptional former student-athletes during the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame Gala on Nov. 6. The event will take place in the Tucker Student Center and will feature a reception, red carpet experience, dinner and Class of 2026 induction ceremony.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes former softball standout Kaylee Wacaster, two-sport athlete Dobson Collins, and baseball All-American Collin Thacker.

Reflecting on the honor, Collins said the recognition is especially meaningful because of the journey that led him to Gardner-Webb.

“Being inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame is truly a blessing,” Collins said. “When I received the call, I was in the gym training my boys, and they were able to experience getting the call with me. I used it as a teaching moment and told them that being in the Hall of Fame never crossed my mind during my playing career. I had zero stars coming out of high school, I wasn’t highly recruited, I wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but the coaches at GWU decided to take a chance on a skinny kid from Stone Mountain, Georgia.”

Kaylee Wacaster

Wacaster established herself as one of the most accomplished players in Gardner-Webb softball history during her career with the Runnin’ Bulldogs. A two-time All-State selection and All-Big South honoree, Wacaster finished her career as the program’s leader in six offensive categories: runs scored, doubles, triples, extra-base hits, walks and RBIs. She totaled 205 career hits, posted a .309 batting average, and played a pivotal role in the success of the Bulldogs throughout her career.

Prior to Gardner-Webb, Wacaster was a standout athlete at Crest High School, where she earned four varsity letters and four All-Conference selections. A three-time All-State honoree, she was named Team MVP as both a junior and senior and Offensive MVP as a sophomore. Wacaster also received the Cleveland County FCA Softball Award and was recognized as a four-year scholar-athlete. She concluded her high school career with nine home runs and only four strikeouts and also competed for the Charlotte Starz Elite under head coach Steve Foster.

Dobson Collins

Collins excelled as both a football player and track and field athlete during his time at Gardner-Webb. An honorable mention FCS All-American wide receiver, he finished his football career with 143 receptions for 1,745 yards and 14 touchdowns. During his standout 2008 season, Collins hauled in 76 catches for 937 yards and 10 scores. He also found success on the track, winning the Atlantic Sun Conference championship in the 60-meter hurdles and setting a school record in the event with a time of 8.07 seconds. Following his collegiate career, Collins signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, later spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles and several Canadian Football League organizations before concluding his professional playing career in 2016.

Since retiring from professional football, Collins has dedicated himself to developing young athletes in Cleveland County. He serves as a physical education and women’s weight training instructor at Shelby High School, where he is also an assistant football coach and the school’s head indoor track and field coach and head women’s outdoor track and field coach. Under his leadership, Shelby athletes have achieved historic success, including multiple state championships in football and track and field. Collins is also the owner of Triple Threat Sports Performance & Fitness and founder of the nonprofit Triple Threat Track Club, which provides competitive opportunities and mentorship for athletes ages 6 and older. He and his wife, Crystal, are the parents of five children: Kaniyah Pierce, Immanuel, Caleb, Christian and Chloe. Through coaching, teaching and mentoring, Collins continues to invest in the next generation of student-athletes while making a lasting impact on his community.

Collin Thacker

Thacker became one of the most decorated baseball players in Gardner-Webb history during his career from 2014-2017. A two-time All-Big South selection and 2016 All-American, he earned national recognition after batting .394 and leading the nation in doubles during his standout junior season. Thacker became the first Gardner-Webb baseball player to receive NCAA Division I All-America honors and was later named to the Big South Conference All-Decade Team.

Since graduating from Gardner-Webb, Thacker has remained deeply involved in the sport that shaped his collegiate career. He serves as general manager of Showcase Baseball Academy in Matthews, N.C., where he works with athletes, coaches and families while mentoring young players pursuing collegiate and professional baseball opportunities. Thacker credits many of the lessons that guide his coaching philosophy, including hard work, accountability and the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, to his experiences and relationships at Gardner-Webb.

Thacker and his wife, Kelly, live in Indian Trail with their sons, Rhett and Davis, and two dogs, Scout and Molly. The family is also preparing to welcome a daughter in December. Away from the field, he enjoys spending time with his family and remains grateful for the friendships and memories formed during his years as a Runnin’ Bulldog.

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.