Men's Golf | 7/24/2017 10:25:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston announces the appointment of John Hackney as head men's golf coach. Hackney will officially begin his duties at Wingate in August. The University will host an introductory press conference with Hackney in the upcoming weeks.
 
Most recently, Hackney spent three seasons as the head men's and women's golf coach at California Baptist University in Riverside. He helped usher in the NCAA Division II era at CBU with excellent results. On the men's side, Hackney helped the Lancers to top 20 national rankings in two of his three seasons. Cal Baptist tied for fifth at the 2016 NCAA Division II national championships, falling 3-2 to number four Florida Southern in the national quarterfinals.
 
Hackney's CBU women's golf teams won 10 events (of 31) during his tenure. The Lancers were the number one team in the nation during the fall of 2015, charting in the top five each of his three campaigns. The California Baptist women's golf team compiled a head-to-head overall record of 330-61-7 (.844) during his stint at the school. The CBU Lancers made NCAA women's golf tournament appearances in each of his three seasons.
 
"We are extremely pleased to welcome John Hackney to Wingate University as our next head men's golf coach," Poston says. "Coach Hackney has enjoyed much success during his years as head coach at Barton College and California Baptist University, leading his teams to numerous championships and NCAA tournament appearances. His enthusiasm for coaching was evident throughout the interview process."
 
Wingate Bulldog men's golf followers will remember Hackney as the head men's golf coach at Conference Carolinas member Barton for 16 seasons (1998-2013). Hackney directed the Barton Bulldogs to 14 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and 45 team titles in his 16 years at the Wilson school. Barton spent time in the NCAA Division II top 25 poll during 12 of his final 13 seasons, including top 10 mentions for seven seasons.

"Coach Hackney impressed the search committee with his commitment to the growth and well-being of the student-athlete as well as embodying the values which support the mission of Wingate University and the Bulldog athletic department," Poston says. "Under his direction, we believe the future is bright for our men's golf program. We are excited to welcome John and his wife, Marie, to the Bulldog family."
 
During Hackney's final three Barton seasons, the BC Bulldogs posted a phenomenal 341-82-8 (.806) head-to-head record. He was named Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year five times and regional Coach of the Year three times. Hackney mentored 11 All-Americans, 11 Scholar All-Americans and one Freshman All-American. The Barton Bulldogs hosted 33 intercollegiate men's golf tournaments during his time, including two NCAA Division II South/Southeast Super Regionals. Hackney also coached the Barton women's golf team for two seasons.
 
"Marie and I are thrilled to be coming to Wingate University," Hackney says. "It is one of the finest schools in the state and has one of the top NCAA Division II athletic programs in the country. I would like to thank Wingate president Dr. Rhett Brown, vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston and the entire athletic staff for this opportunity. Ultimately, it was the hospitality which was extended during my visit that convinced me this is where God intended for us to continue our journey. Everyone was so pleasant and professional. It felt like home...like being with family."
 
Hackney graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor's degree in journalism. In addition to his coaching exploits, Hackney spent 17 years as the sports information director at Barton. He managed publicity and media requests for 14 intercollegiate sports, supervising five-to-10 work study students per year. Hackney also founded the cross country program at Barton, spending three seasons as head coach. With his recruits, the Bulldogs qualified for the 2000 NCAA national championships. Hackney coached two female individual Conference Carolinas champions as well.
 
"I am excited about adding to the foundation left behind by previous head coach Corey Iacofano," Hackney says. "The returners are young, but talented, and we have a few new student-athletes coming in who should bolster our line-up. The South/Southeast is the best and toughest region in all of D2 men's golf, but we look forward to making NCAA appearances with regularity."
 
"We want people to view Wingate Golf as a class act, on and off the course, and that will be our focus," Hackney says. "Everything is in place for the WU Bulldogs to reach the pinnacle of the sport. We will work hard, do things the right way and push each other to be the best we can be every day. When we do this, success will follow."
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Ben Bridgers (Barton '03, four-year Barton men's golf letter winner)
Director of Golf and PCC Club Manager, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club
 
"I'm very pleased to hear of the hiring of John Hackney as the Wingate University men's golf head coach. Not only is Coach Hackney a great recruiter and motivator, he is an even better person. His passion for coaching is apparent and I can assure you his plans are to take Wingate to the national stage. In my four years at Barton, Coach Hackney led us to regionals all four years and the national championships in my senior season."
 
Gary Hall (Barton '80, Barton athletic director 1989-2014)
Director of Grants and Student Philanthropy, Athletic Director Emeritus, Barton College
 
"John Hackney proved himself to be a successful college golf coach during his time leading our program at Barton. Under his tutelage, our men's golf program thrived and was a regular qualifier or selection for the NCAA Division II regional tournament. We advanced from the regional to the national tournament on several occasions."
 
"Coach Hackney recruited excellent young men into our program and provided to them an environment in which they could accomplish great things. He assumed leadership positions in our league and region in which he served to make college golf an outstanding experience for the student-athletes."
 
Press McPhaul 
Head Men's Golf Coach, N.C. State University
 
"I am delighted for John. His experience in athletics has been vast, but his heart has always been that of a golf coach. His background is remarkable, leading two different programs in two very different places to new levels of success."
 
"His experience, passion and guidance will help Wingate Men's Golf reach new heights. I am sure Wingate was looking for a coach with character and a history of success…I believe they hired those qualities in John Hackney."
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,200 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 35 minors, 12 career concentrations, nine pre-professional programs, master's degrees in accounting, business, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
 
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 11 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 96 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 96 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 105 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.