Homecoming Weekend Offers Traditional Events and Celebrates New Gardner-Webb Baseball Facility

University Welcomes Alumni and Friends, Honors Hall-of-Famers and Distinguished Alumni

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Homecoming weekend at Gardner-Webb is packed with events to celebrate Bulldog Nation. From Oct. 28-30, the University will host traditional events, along with some new ones. The weekend is packed with opportunities to connect and engage, beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday and ending Sunday afternoon.

Director of Alumni Relations Leah Clevenger, who graduated from GWU in 1998 and 2002 and met her husband, Gabe, at Gardner-Webb, said Homecoming is an opportunity to support her alma mater, reflect, and share. “Homecoming is absolutely my favorite tradition at Gardner-Webb,” she affirmed. “I love it so much because where else can you see friends that you haven’t seen in 20 years. I love being surprised by who shows up and catching up with them—remembering our times here, laughing about it and keeping those stories alive. I love bringing my family back for this particular tradition because it gives my husband and I an opportunity to stroll down memory lane, to walk through the quad and talk about the classes we had and the professors we had. It helps us past down that history and our love for Gardner-Webb to our children.”

Planning and coordinating all of the events takes a lot of hard work and preparation. Vice President for Advancement Nate Evans thanked Clevenger and all of the GWU staff who make sure the campus is ready. “These events give a nod to the past—it’s tradition and it’s a celebration,” he said. “We celebrate the current and all the good things going on now, and we look forward to the future. It’s molding and meshing all those things together for one big celebration. Our alumni are spread far and wide, so this is an opportunity for them to circle a date on their calendar and say, ‘That’s when I’m coming home.’”  

Activities begin at 10 a.m. on Friday with a golf tournament at Riverbend YMCA Golf Course to support GWU Baseball. Register here or email Head Coach Jim Chester. On that evening at 6:30, the Hall of Fame Gala will announce and honor the Class of 2022 inductees. This semi-formal event will feature a reception, silent auction, and dinner. Registration for this event is available here, and must be completed by Oct. 24.

On Saturday, tailgating lots will open at sunrise. Then, at 9 a.m., a ground breaking ceremony will be held for the Masters-Melton Indoor Baseball Facility at John Henry Moss Stadium. Bill Masters, whose legacy of giving energized the men’s baseball program gave the lead gift for the facility. Masters passed away on June 25, 2022. He also named the new building in honor of his longtime special friend, Patsy Melton Willis. The remaining funds to complete the project were donated by generous friends, alumni and parents on Double Dawg Day and in recent weeks. The facility offers space where the Diamond Dawgs can continue to practice in any weather.

At 9:30 a.m., the Homecoming Brunch and Awards Ceremony will be held in Tucker Student Center. During this event the Distinguished Alumni of the Year will be announced and honored. Register for the Brunch here. Then, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Bulldog BBQ with Alumni & Friends will be held on the soccer field across from Spangler Stadium. Find the registration for the BBQ here. The deadline to register for both events is Oct. 24.  

At noon, the annual Homecoming Parade will begin at the stoplight in Boiling Springs and continue down Main Street before concluding at Spangler Stadium. Participants include the Marching Bulldogs, homecoming court, student groups and Bo the bulldog.

The game begins at 1:30 p.m. with the GW Runnin’ Bulldogs taking on Bryant University in Spangler Stadium. Tickets and parking may be purchased here.

On Sunday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m., Worship at The Webb will be held in Dover Chapel. Then, at 1:30 p.m., a women’s soccer alumni match will be held. Register online here or email Head Coach Mike Varga.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

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.