Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs

Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs
The Gardner-Webb University Bulldog Club serves as the fundraising arm for the Department of Athletics at the Gardner-Webb University. The Club plays an important role in the funding of scholarships for each of the University?s 21 intercollegiate sports.

The members of the Bulldog Club are not only making a monetary gift to the University, but are giving Gardner-Webb student-athletes the opportunity to achieve their academic and athletic goals.

The Gardner-Webb University offers twenty-one varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level. In football, the Gardner Webb Runnin? Bulldogs compete in the football championship subdivision.

The 2008-2009 academic year is seeing the Runnin? Bulldogs transition to the Big South Conference for all sports. The Runnin? Bulldogs football team joined the Big South as an associate member in 2002. Since joining the Big South, the football team has seen a record of 38-28.

In the first two years that the Runnin? Bulldogs joined the Big South, Gardner Webb won two conference titles in a row. Since then the football team has placed third every year.

The Gardner Webb University has seen their football team playing some difficult opponents including Georgia Tech, Appalachian State, Mississippi State, Wofford, and Ohio.

The Gardner Webb football team has produced many All-Americans and athletes that have made it to the NFL to date. The most recent was Brain Johnston, drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 7th round.

As one of the varsity sports at Gardner-Webb, soccer is a sport that is rarely mentioned at the University. Unlike the football and basketball teams at Gardner-Webb, the soccer team never got off to any major recognition for its accomplishments.

In the fall of 2006, the Gardner-Webb soccer team would win its conference and make it to the NCAA second round. In 2008, Gardner-Webb University?s recently created men?s swimming team.

The men?s swimming team placed third at the 2008 CCSA conference, setting several school records. The team finished closely behind College of Charleston and Davidson. The women?s swimming team also placed third at the conference championships.

Gardner-Webb sports requires dedication from not only the athletes and coaches, but also a commitment strength from the staff. The athletics facilities for weight lifting and strength training are used on a daily basis to maximize athletes? performances.

The facilities to prevent injuries are also provided. The Gardner-Webb strength staff currently trains some 400 student-athletes.

All the sports teams for Gardner Webb are required to attend mandatory lifts and speed training while participating in a sport.

The weight-training facilities are located in the GWU Football Center next to Spangler Stadium. In order to keep the athlete from adapting to the same training stimulus, causing a plateau effect, the program is changed after every 4-6 weeks.

The emphasis given on strength training is a major part for a strength training staff. This includes instructing athletes on how to properly perform correct lifting techniques.

The prevention methods are also taken care of, including stretching, warming up correctly and altering programs for athletes who are recovering from an injury to ensure proper rehabilitation and a speedy recovery.

Today, the strength and conditioning program has become one of the most vital aspects in the development of the student-athlete.