Victor Putter, GWU Men’s Tennis, is Among Eight Recognized with Big South Conference’s Award for Academic Excellence

Bridgitte Strobl, Softball, Also Nominated for the Prestigious Christenberry Award

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Victor Putter of the Gardner-Webb University men’s tennis team is one of eight student-athletes awarded the Conference’s prestigious George A. Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence. He majored in mathematics at Gardner-Webb and completed his undergraduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Bridgitte Strobl, of The Highlands Ranch, Colo., was also nominated for the award. A member of the softball team, she received a personalized medallion for this achievement.

Big South member institutions nominate one male and one female undergraduate student-athlete for the annual Christenberry Award, or multiple student-athletes that tie for the highest GPA on their respective campus. The award is given to the male and female student-athlete who attain the highest GPA during their undergraduate collegiate careers. It is the seventh consecutive year at least eight student-athletes have been honored.

Putter (Pretoria, South Africa) was voted the Men’s Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2023 season, and is a three-time Men’s Tennis All-Academic Team honoree. A two-time Big South Player of the Week honoree during his time at Gardner-Webb, Putter excelled in doubles competitions as he finished his career at 32-23 and 9-3 against league opponents pairing with six different teammates. In singles play, he collected 27 victories and made appearances at almost every flight during his career. His final win came in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament, pushing GWU to its first-ever finals appearance this past April.

The honor is named for George A. Christenberry, the former President of Augusta College (now Augusta University) and one of the founders of the Big South Conference.  A member of the Big South Hall of Fame, Christenberry served as the league’s first President from 1983-86.

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.