[Chris Lang]

Here's the official release. I suspected this was a possibility because GWU has shown a lot of interest in joining the league.

7233 pineville-matthews road, suite 100 · charlotte, north carolina 28226



phone 704/341-7990 · fax 704/341-7991



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mark Simpson

May 26, 2006 (704) 341-7990

marks@bigsouth.org



GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY TO JOIN BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE AS FULL MEMBER



CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference Council of Chief Executive Officers has voted to add Gardner-Webb University as a full member of the League, beginning July 1, 2008, it was announced today by Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander. Gardner-Webb, which already participates in the Big South as an associate member in football, will be eligible to compete for all Big South championships immediately upon entry in 2008. The Bulldogs will continue to compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference for the next two seasons (2006-07, 2007-08).



“Gardner-Webb University will be a great member of the Big South Conference,” said Kallander. “Its commitment to Division I excellence in all facets of its program, and its location in the Big South footprint make it a great fit. We are excited to welcome Gardner-Webb into the Big South family.”



“The Big South provides our athletics program with more regional visibility and natural rivalries for Gardner-Webb University as a whole,” added Gardner-Webb President Dr. Frank Bonner. “The close proximity of a majority of the league’s current members means less missed class time for our student-athletes, and reduced travel expenses – also key components of the institution’s decision making process. Our experience with the Big South Conference as an associate member for football has been outstanding, and we are pleased with the opportunity to join the league as a full member.”

Gardner-Webb sponsors 20 varsity sports at the Division I level, 18 of which are sponsored by the Big South: football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, volleyball and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field. Only women’s swimming (Northeast Conference) and wrestling (Division I Independent) will not compete in the Big South Conference. The school will add men’s swimming as its 21st varsity sport in 2007. Gardner-Webb, a charter member of the Big South’s football program since 2002, won the League’s first two titles (2002, 2003), is 11-4 all-time in Conference games (.733) and 27-17 overall (.614) in that span.



ABOUT GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY

Located in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb is home to nearly 4,000 students from 30 states and 30 foreign countries. Founded in 1905, Gardner-Webb provides exceptional educational opportunities within a Christian environment. GWU began its NCAA Division I membership during the 2000-01 academic year.



Location:................................................................................................................................................................ Boiling Springs, N.C.

Enrollment:......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3,900

Founded:............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1905

Colors:............................................................................................................................................................. Scarlet, Black and Pewter

Nickname:.................................................................................................................................................................... Runnin’ Bulldogs

President:...................................................................................................................................................................... Dr. Frank Bonner

Director of Athletics:.......................................................................................................................................................... Chuck Burch

Phone:................................................................................................................................................................................. (704) 406-4342

Senior Woman Administrator:.......................................................................................................................................... Pam Scruggs

Phone:................................................................................................................................................................................. (704) 406-4341

Faculty Athletic Representative:............................................................................................................................................ Dee Hunt

Sports Information Director:................................................................................................................................................. Marc Rabb

Sports Information Office Telephone:........................................................................................................................... (704) 406-4355

Athletic Department Fax:................................................................................................................................................. (704) 406-4739

Institution’s Website Address:....................................................................................................................... aux.gardner-webb.edu

Athletic Department’s Website Address:........................................................................................................ www.gwusports.com



ABOUT THE BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE

The Big South, a NCAA Division I Conference, is celebrating 22 years of excellence in academics and athletics. Comprised of nine member institutions throughout the Southeast, the Big South continues to be a national leader both on the field through its 18 championship sports and in the classrooms of its nationally accredited members. Birmingham-Southern College, Charleston Southern University, Coastal Carolina University, High Point University, Liberty University, Radford University, UNC Asheville, Virginia Military Institute and Winthrop University comprise the 22-year-old-League, which is based in Charlotte, N.C. Presbyterian College will join the Big South Conference in 2008-09. The Big South is online at www.BigSouthSports.com.









-BigSouthSports.com-





For transaction wire only: Gardner-Webb University to join Big South Conference as a full member July 1, 2008.

[A.G.]

That will certainly take the sting out of the possibility of losing BSC. Wonder how that vote went, today??

[LUconn]

I say good. I don't really know how good their athletics program as a whole is (like it matters) but I think they're a good fit. Now lets get the heck out of this thing...

[TIMSCAR20]

Great news IMO. I like what Chuck Burch is doing down there. I call G-W Liberty South. They have former Liberty Athletics employees Chuck Burch, Rick Reeves, Kimmie Reeves, Krystal Reeves, and the former Volleyball coach Chris Phillips. Not sure if there are some I missed but you get the point. They have been pretty good in football and basketball and decent in women's hoops too. If we lose BSC it won't sting as much now.

[WinthropEagleFan]

The Atlantic Sun is a revolving door...They had 11 members in 98-99 and as of now, they'll have 11 members in 08-09, but only four of the teams are the same...that's alot of transition in a 10-year span...

[Libertine]

Great news IMO. I like what Chuck Burch is doing down there. I call G-W Liberty South. They have former Liberty Athletics employees Chuck Burch, Rick Reeves, Kimmie Reeves, Krystal Reeves, and the former Volleyball coach Chris Phillips. Not sure if there are some I missed but you get the point. They have been pretty good in football and basketball and decent in women's hoops too. If we lose BSC it won't sting as much now.

Employment at G-W is apparently the LU severance package.

[ATrain]

^^Does that mean Karcher will be working there ? And why did we lose Chris Phillips as our volleyball coach? Our 3 Big South titles came under her guidance, but to give props to Pinder he was an assistant coach.

And with Presbyterian coming in, that gives the league 11 teams...will Kallander add Longwood for a 12-team league with divisions (provided BSC and Coastal stay)...or is he trying to keep it at its current level of 9 teams considering that chances of BSC and CCU leaving are very, very good?

[givemethemic]

Speaking of Karcher he recently took a H.S assistant football job and will be coaching Varsity baseball at the school as well... It is a very small school from what I was told, I just can't recall the name of the school

[LUconn]

Where's CCU going again? Nowhere.

[Libertine]

^^Does that mean Karcher will be working there?

Funny. Not likely. In truth, Karcher privately considered both G-W and Coastal to be renegade programs.

And why did we lose Chris Phillips as our volleyball coach? Our 3 Big South titles came under guidance, but to give props to Pinder he was an assistant coach.

Phillips was good at what she did but was difficult to work with. She won games but alienated everyone else in the athletic department. Think of a female version of Bob Knight coaching a sport that only a few people care about.

[Libertine]

Speaking of Karcher he recently took a H.S assistant football job and will be coaching Varsity baseball at the school as well... It is a very small school from what I was told, I just can't recall the name of the school

He's working w/ Bob Lord (former OL coach under Karcher in 2000 and father of former LU player Billy Lord) at Fellowship Christian in Roswell, GA.

[Brokeback Flamer]

^^Does that mean Karcher will be working there?

Funny. Not likely. In truth, Karcher privately considered both G-W and Coastal to be renegade programs.

And why did we lose Chris Phillips as our volleyball coach? Our 3 Big South titles came under guidance, but to give props to Pinder he was an assistant coach.

Phillips was good at what she did but was difficult to work with. She won games but alienated everyone else in the athletic department. Think of a female version of Bob Knight coaching a sport that only a few people care about.

Bob Knight? You mean as in won games and titles, graduated her players and kept a clean program? Sounds like a good track record to me. Somehow I am thinking there was a lot more too it than that. At least now I have an excuse to go to a volleyball game!!
As for Football, they may be "renegade" programs but they cleaned our clocks!

[Libertine]

Somehow I am thinking there was a lot more too it than that. At least now I have an excuse to go to a volleyball game!!

I'm sure it's not the only reason but it's at least the reason that was readily apparent. It seemed like she and the admin fought over every little thing. In conversations with her during that last year she was here, you could tell she was less and less eager to stay on herself.

And why would that make you want to go a volleyball game, Brokey? I work here and I can't think of a good reason to watch volleyball!

As for Football, they may be "renegade" programs but they cleaned our clocks!

Can't argue the records.

[Brokeback Flamer]

Somehow I am thinking there was a lot more too it than that. At least now I have an excuse to go to a volleyball game!!

two words :grudge match!!!

[bigsmooth]

im glad this happened. GWU is a great fit. it looks as if birm-southern will split so a ten team league we are. i would love to add another assoc. member for football though.

[Libertine]

Personally, I'd like to see Duquesne abandon the folly of propping up the Metro Atlantic, offer a few schollies and jump on board. Likewise, Georgetown abandoning the folly of competing in the Patriot. Both schools have smoked VMI in recent years.

[Guest]

^^Does that mean Karcher will be working there?

Funny. Not likely. In truth, Karcher privately considered both G-W and Coastal to be renegade programs.

And why did we lose Chris Phillips as our volleyball coach? Our 3 Big South titles came under guidance, but to give props to Pinder he was an assistant coach.

Phillips was good at what she did but was difficult to work with. She won games but alienated everyone else in the athletic department. Think of a female version of Bob Knight coaching a sport that only a few people care about.

Funny. If you can't beat'em call'em renegades.

[ATrain]

Where's CCU going again? Nowhere.

You left out a key word...yet...from what I've been reading, the chances of them getting into the SoCon keep increasing.

[LUconn]

Yes, I bet that's exactly why he thought of them as renegades. That's very well thought out.

[Libertine]

Funny. If you can't beat'em call'em renegades.

I think it had more to do with the histories of academic fraud at both schools and the "thug life" reputation that Catawba had under Bennett.

[jimflamesfan]

You could add another football member in all sports, and then when Presbyterian comes in, wouldnt there be 12 basketball and 7 football?

[Sly Fox]

Frankly, I haven't heard the rumors regarding Coastal having academic issues since they started their football program. They do get ripped on by arrogant SoCon schools for having subpar standards.

As for G-W, their issues are well documented and I assume the league was assured that they would be playing by the rules.

[Libertine]

Frankly, I haven't heard the rumors regarding Coastal having academic issues since they started their football program. They do get ripped on by arrogant SoCon schools for having subpar standards.

As for G-W, their issues are well documented and I assume the league was assured that they would be playing by the rules.

Coastal's scandal happened in the mid-90's and mostly involved the men's basketball program. It was significant enough to land them on a couple years probation and their '93 Big South title was stripped. Coastal really has gone a long way toward cleaning up their image. That's why it was such a surprise to observers when they brought the head coach from the successful but troubled program at Catawba to coach their nascent football team.

As for G-W, I bet the league has been assured about a lot of things. Assurances mean nothing.