Thurmont, Md.----One of my favorite Fall semester traditions at Wingate were afternoon pick-up lacrosse games in the month of August. There was nothing better than 40 men getting together to play the game they love. It was here that I first met a down-to-earth defenseman from Texas with a stick that just seemed to pick balls out of the air like magic.
Graham Gill loved the game of lacrosse and remained faithful to his Wingate family long after his ability to play the game was lost due to injury.
Graham was a talented lacrosse player who possessed a love for the game that was unrivaled. A selfless man, Graham always put the team first. Even in the twilight of his lacrosse career when injuries made it painful for Graham to run, he always came to practice with a smile on his face ready to work and contribute to the team in any way he could. After Graham could no longer play, he continued to be there at every home game and he was one of the first to call after away games to find out how the team performed. Graham loved the game of lacrosse, but most importantly, he loved the team. He was always and will forever be a Bulldog.
Graham's selfless attitude spread far beyond the athletic field. Graham was an active member of the Wingate community. As president of the Kappa Alpha Order, Graham assisted with starting a fundraiser that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association over the past six years. Graham lived his life as a gentleman; he believed in doing the right thing even at his own expense and bestowed these ideals to the next generation of Wingate students. Graham's greatest contribution to the Wingate community is that he made those around him better human beings…For this fact, he will always be remembered.
Those that had the honor to know Graham as a teammate, a brother or as a friend will never forget his Texas-sized laugh, his laid-back attitude or his intense loyalty to friends and family. He was a great friend who loved his Bulldogs. Graham's spirit lives on in the University every time a helmet is buckled up or a new brother is initiated.
We miss you Graham,
Your spirit lives on inside us all.
Everyday is a great day to be a Bulldog!
Angus Derbyshire
EDITOR'S NOTE
The Justin Graham Gill Memorial Scholarship – Excellence in Leadership and Service was established Oct. 30, 2010. Once funded, this endowed scholarship will be awarded each year to a current Wingate University student who is an active member of the Greek community possessing significant leadership skills and demonstrating a commitment to civic service and extra-curricular endeavors. The Justin Graham Gill Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Wingate lacrosse student-athlete Graham Gill (1984-2010). The Wingate University lacrosse team, in conjunction with Kappa Alpha Order, is hosting the inaugural Justin Graham Gill Memorial Lacrosse game Wednesday, as the Bulldogs face Limestone College at the Wingate Soccer Complex (8 p.m. first face-off).
ANGUS DERBYSHIRE
For his Bulldog career, Angus Derbyshire had 35 goals, 17 assists and 52 points. During his five years (he redshirted in 2006), Wingate won the Deep South Conference regular season title three times and the DSC tournament crown once.
Derbyshire was named to the Academic All-District III at-large team by the College Sports Information Directors of America in 2010. He won the Pickette Williams Memorial Athletic Award in 2009. This scholarship is awarded to a Wingate University male student-athlete selected by the athletic staff to have demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship.
An active member of the Wingate community, Derbyshire served as a peer mentor for three years. In 2010, he was a volunteer assistant lacrosse coach at Marvin Ridge High School. He also volunteered time at Turning Point women's shelter in Monroe. Derbyshire is a member of three national honor societies: Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi and Alpha Kappa Delta. The Wingate sociology department gave him the top major award in 2009.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private comprehensive university with more than 2,300 students on two campuses in Wingate and Matthews, North Carolina. The university offers 32 undergraduate majors, 36 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.
Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000's with 38 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate's 47 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
