Wingate, N.C.----Five new members will be added to the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies on Friday evening, Nov. 7. In addition, the University will recognize the 1956 and 1957 baseball teams and the 1967-68 men's basketball team as Teams of Distinction during the event. The Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies are sponsored by OrthoCarolina.
 
The Wingate Sports Hall of Fame class of 2014 includes basketball forward Temeshia Dawkins-Abney (Shelby, N.C., class of '01), soccer and basketball standout Julie Law (Lancaster, S.C., class of '04), baseball catcher John Spencer (Charlotte, N.C., class of '03) and softball outfielder Stephanie White (Eatonton, Ga., class of '04).
 
"In our work as the selection committee, we have the opportunity to review and in some cases relive the careers of some remarkable student-athletes and coaches," WU Athletic Foundation and Bulldog Club director Bill Nash says. "Through the process of researching, discussing and eventual voting, the student-athletes we will recognize in 2014 honored Wingate University through their amazing accomplishments and contributions their respective teams."
 
Bulldog basketball point guard Lorinza "Junior" Harrington (Wagram, N.C., class of '02) was originally slated for induction with the class of 2012. He has 12 years of professional basketball experience. Harrington has played for three NBA teams. During his 2002-03 NBA rookie season, he was the only Denver player to play in all 82 games.
 
As a senior All-American, Harrington averaged 14.8 points per game and 6.4 assists per game as Wingate compiled a 26-7 overall record. He led the SAC in assists and steals, charting in the NCAA top six in both categories. Wingate won 100 games in his career. During the summer of 2010, he was inducted into the SAC Hall of Fame. His coaches at Wingate were Jeff Reynolds and Parker Laketa.
 
"We are thrilled to be able to recognize Temeshia, Junior, Julie, John and Stephanie on Nov. 7 as they will be inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame," Nash says. "We thank our friends at OrthoCarolina for their sponsorship of the 2014 Wingate Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet."
 
Temeshia Dawkins-Abney was a three-time All-South Atlantic Conference performer and a two-time honorable mention All-American for head coach and SHOF member Johnny Jacumin. As a senior, she led the NCAA Division II in field goal percentage with a 69.3 percent conversion rate. She made 25 consecutive field goals as a sophomore, at the time a record for all three NCAA divisions.
 
The Crest High School product averaged 16.2 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior, leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA play-offs. Wingate won the SAC regular season title her sophomore year, advancing to the post-season. For her career, Dawkins-Abney tallied 1602 points and collected 992 rebounds. She was named to Wingate's All-Decade team in 2010.
 
Dawkins-Abney graduated from Wingate with a degree in Human Services. Currently, she works for the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services in child protective services. Dawkins-Abney helps insure the safety and well-being of children. She has been with Gaston County since 2007. Dawkins-Abney and her husband Derik Abney have three daughters: Keairah Dawkins, Krystian Abney and Jasmine Abney. They live in Charlotte.
 
Julie Law is the all-time leading scorer in Wingate women's soccer history with 71 goals and 30 assists (172 points). The Parkwood High School graduate was All-SAC and All-Southeast Region four years each for head coach Andy Thompson. As a senior, she led the SAC in scoring with 52 points (23 goals, six assists) and ranked sixth nationally in goals scored. She was seventh on the national goal scoring list her sophomore campaign. Law and her four-year teammates graduated with a (then) program record 50 victories.
 
For her career, Law scored 24 match-winning goals. She won the Wingate University Joyce Gragg Pipes Award for Female Athlete of the Year twice. Law was voted to Wingate's All-Decade team for women's soccer in January of 2010.
 
A two-sport athlete, Law earned four letters playing basketball for the Bulldogs and head coach Johnny Jacumin. Law played with Dawkins-Abney on the 2001 NCAA tournament team as a freshman. A starter throughout her career, she averaged 9.5 points per game as a junior. As a senior, Law helped Wingate win the SAC regular season title.
 
After graduating from Wingate (psychology major), Law spent two years as the assistant women's soccer coach at her alma mater. She has been a firefighter for the City of Charlotte Fire Department for the past six years. Law is also the co-owner of Modern Movement 3D, a fitness company focused on improving the function and performance of modern-day athletes.
 
John Spencer earned Rawlings/ABCA All-American second team honors as a senior for head coach Bill Nash. The 2003 first team All-SAC and All-South Region choice led the league in hitting (.405), hits per game (1.55), total fielding chances (439) and total putouts (392). A graduate of Independence High School, Spencer also received first team All-SAC laurels as a junior.
 
In addition to the categories listed above, Spencer led the Bulldogs in at bats (195), runs scored (56), doubles (14), triples (four) and sacrifice flies (five) as a senior. When Spencer was behind the plate, opposing runners did not steal. He threw out 12 runners during the 2003 season.
 
A four-year letterman, Spencer helped the Bulldogs to a berth in the 2001 NCAA Division II playoffs. Wingate won the South Atlantic Conference regular season championship in 2000. His career numbers include a .337 batting average with 38 doubles, 20 home runs and 124 RBI. Spencer was Wingate's Freshman Athlete of the Year in 2000.
 
Following his Bulldog career, Spencer spent two years in the Frontier League. He played for the Kenosha (Wis.) Mammoths and the Springfield/Ozark (Mo.) Ducks. Currently, Spencer is the co-owner and general manager for the Ballantyne Smokies. The Smokies play in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League. He works for LIDS Team Sports.
 
Spencer spent three seasons as the head baseball coach at Myers Park High School, earning Mecklenburg County Coach of the Year honors in 2010. Spencer and his wife Jamie reside in Indian Land, S.C. with daughter Lyric (17) and son Jett (five). He received a Sport Management degree from Wingate.
 
Stephanie White was the SAC Player of the Year as senior for head coach Michelle Caddigan. In addition, she was first team All-SAC and second team All-Region both her junior and senior seasons. As a senior, White led the SAC in hitting (.439), slugging (.743), hits (65), runs (42), doubles (13), triples (seven) and home runs (six). Her .439 batting average was 10th on the NCAA charts. 
 
As a junior, White hit .366 as Wingate won the SAC tourney title. The Bulldogs made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament the same season. White led the team in hitting and steals (15).  Her two-year Wingate career numbers include a .403 batting average with 21 doubles, nine triples, seven home runs and 72 RBI. She graduated from Wingate with a degree in Human Services.
 
Prior to joining the Bulldog family, White played two seasons at Presbyterian College. The Gatewood (Ga.) School product was an All-SAC selection both years. White led the SAC in stolen bases as a sophomore. White is the owner/operator of Harmony Pet Resort at Lake Oconee, Ga. HPR is an 11,000-square-foot pet care facility that offers boarding and daycare for pets as well as grooming services. She opened Harmony Pet Resort in 2006.
 
The Wingate University athletic department will recognize the 1956 and 1957 baseball teams and the 1967-68 men's basketball team as Teams of Distinction during the SHOF event. These teams were coached by Wingate Sports Hall of Fame members: Jack Perry (baseball) and Bill Connell (men's basketball).
 
"The committee chose to honor the 30-game winning streak of the 1956 and 1957 baseball teams," Nash says. "In addition, we recognize the 1967-68 Bulldogs' men's basketball squad for an incredible 78-77 victory over Gardner-Webb and future NBA star Artis Gilmore in Sanders Sikes Gymnasium."
 
The Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will begin on Friday evening, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the LaVerne Banquet Hall. Tickets for the induction ceremonies banquet are $25 per person and $15 for children 12 and under. For more information about the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, contact committee chairman Bill Nash at 704-233-8121 or via E-mail at bilnash@wingate.edu.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 8th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,000 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past eight years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 67 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 67 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 76 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
Wingate Sports Hall of Fame Members (by induction year)
 
2014: Temeshia Dawkins-Abney (women's basketball), Lorinza "Junior" Harrington (men's basketball), Julie Law (women's soccer/basketball), John Spencer (baseball), Stephanie White (softball)
 
2013: Tracy Bowen (football), Ben Hill (soccer), Frank Pait (baseball)
 
2012: Kendall Chaffin (football), Karyn Deese Hart (volleyball), Marc Tsitouris (baseball)
 
2011: Patrick Bartlett (men's tennis/basketball), Cindy Irvin Behe (softball), Mark Caudle (men's soccer), Mike Ragin (football), Dr. Jerry McGee (president)
 
2010: Cynthia Thomas Cooper (women's basketball), John Ellis (men's golf), Paul Talbot (men's basketball), Allen Thomas (baseball)
 
2009: Jeremy Byers (baseball), Kirk Calvert (men's soccer), Angela Curlew Lampley (softball), Andrea McCloud (men's basketball)
 
2008: Audley Bell (men's tennis), Bill Foster (basketball), Dr. Jerry Pierce (baseball), Dave Thomas (football)
 
2007: Jimmy Fortenberry (baseball), Jill Deardorff (tennis), Jerry Ratchford (football), Bill Walters (golf)
 
2006: Nolan "Obe" Leonard (baseball), Cindy Lowery James (basketball), Jeff Waisner (baseball)
 
2005: Tony Coble (baseball), James Gordon (football), Chip Lewis (golf)
 
2004: Chris Huntley (basketball), Danny Lampley (baseball), Kerrie Porter (softball)
 
2003: Sean Bakes (soccer), Harry Greene (baseball), Everette Pigg (basketball)
 
2002: Andrea Grissett (basketball), Ron Ladimir (soccer), Winston Parks (basketball), Charles Ray Williams (baseball/basketball)
 
2001: Vernon Buck (football), Darren Hayes (baseball)
 
1999: Johnny Jacumin (basketball coach), Alvin Morman (baseball)
 
1998: Ann Hancock (basketball), Wiley "Butch" Harris (baseball), Ron Smarr (tennis coach)
 
1997: Allen Johnson (baseball), Direne Thomas (basketball), Jimmy Sutton (football)
 
1996: Rick Motsinger (baseball), Jack Perry (baseball coach), Beverly Greenard Poston (basketball), Larry "Satch" Sedberry (baseball), Dr. Jerry Thomas (baseball/basketball)
 
1995: Julie Barbee (tennis), Cheryl "Sweet Pea" Barrineau (basketball), Darryl Barrino (baseball), Pam Elleby (basketball), Marshall Thaxton (basketball)
 
1994: Vann A. Chaney (lifetime coach), Steve Mastin (baseball), Jim Morris (baseball)
 
1993: Dianna Monroe (basketball), Jack Musten (baseball/basketball), Don Williams (football/baseball)
 
1990: Dr. Ron Christopher (baseball coach), H. Russell Turner (football)
 
1989: Michael "Mike" Martin (baseball), Robert "Bob" Nunnery (football)
 
1988: Bill Connell (AD/Coach), Herschel "Red" Edwards (multi-sport athlete), Thomas "Dude" Renfrow (football)
 
1987: Gary Laws (baseball), Danny Maples (golf), Danny Miller (basketball coach), Johnny Wike (football)
 
1986: Sonny Basinger (football), Darrell Floyd (basketball), Nield Gordon (basketball)