GWU Celebrates Runnin’ Bulldog Basketball with Free Event

Held During Big South Tournament in Charlotte, Panel Features GWU History Makers

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Basketball fans are preparing to journey to Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., for the Big South Tournament on March 1-6. Tipping off the first of the festivities for Gardner-Webb University Runnin’ Bulldog fans is an opportunity to attend a panel discussion celebrating the history—and future—of GWU basketball.

“Gardner-Webb University Basketball: Rich Heritage, Big Dreams,” will be held on March 1 at 5 p.m. in the Starlight Lounge at Oven’s Auditorium in Charlotte. Gardner-Webb President William Downs moderates a panel of GWU basketball history makers in this event that is free and open to the public.

“Basketball is a big deal at Gardner-Webb, just as it is throughout the state of North Carolina,” emphasizes GWU President William Downs. “We love our hoops heroes, and with the arrival of March and tournament time those memories of past glories and future possibilities come back to life. Our Dawgs are ready to run this year, and there’s no better way to welcome March Madness than by sitting down with some of Gardner-Webb’s greats. To borrow a line from basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale, ‘Goosebumps, baby!’”

The guest panelists include:

• George Adams – Inducted into the GWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. Adams competed between 1969-1972 and finished as the program’s leading scorer and rebounder. He was a two-time NAIA All-America selection and one of only four men’s players to have his jersey retired in men’s basketball.  He set numerous records, which are yet to be broken. Through his efforts and determination at Gardner-Webb, he was drafted in the third round to the 1972 NBA world champion Milwaukee Bucks. The team consisted of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robinson and many other outstanding players. Adams spent his remaining career with the ABA San Diego Conquistadors coached by the late Wilt Chamberlain and K.C.Jones. Since retirement, he spends most of his time helping others, volunteering time with grandsons’ AAU basketball team, church and mainly spending time with his wife, Aundra, of 48 years and family. 

• Ed Cook – Cook competed with the national powerhouse and nationally top-ranked Runnin’ Bulldogs (NAIA) in the late 1970s under legendary basketball coach Eddie Holbrook. Cook’s memories of the overflowing and deafening crowds in Bost Gym still echo today when the home court advantage was a dominating force. GW basketball was undefeated at home for several seasons during this time period. 

• Fredia Lawrence-King – The only female basketball player to have her jersey retired, Lawrence-King was inducted into the GWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. She competed with the ‘Dawgs between 1988-1992 and finished her career as the program’s leading scorer and rebounder. She was a three-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection and she scored 2,202 career points and had 1,220 career rebounds.

• Linda Cody Shelton – Was a pioneer in women’s basketball at GW and was one of the first women to compete in the 1970s when Title IX opened up opportunities for female athletes. She and her husband, Terry, have gone on to own and operate several Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Charlotte region.

• Christian Turner – As part of the first men’s basketball team to reach the NCAA tournament, the Atlanta, Ga. native, Turner was known as a steady defender, accurate passer and a smart protector of the ball for the 2018-’19 Big South Champions. He was a floor general who dished off an impressive 314 career assists, including 118 as a senior in 2019-2020. Currently, Turner is a Graduate Assistant manager for the men’s team he once played with.

Guests can receive free parking as well in the lot across from Oven’s Auditorium on Paul Buck/Arena Blvd. Guests should tell the parking attendants that they are on-site for the Gardner-Webb Town Hall Event.

The discussion will be recorded live, and the program is available for viewing on the GWU website and the Gardner-Webb Facebook Page and YouTube channel and linked on the University’s Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter platforms.    

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 48 hours prior to the event. Please call (704) 406-4253 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 six professional schools, 14 academic departments, 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.