Wingate, N.C.----Steve Poston has been a part of Wingate University for over 50 years, serving as the Director of Athletics for the last 21 years. Earlier this year, Poston announced his retirement, effective at the end of 2021. A member of the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, Poston has helped transform Wingate into one of the premiere athletic programs in all of NCAA Division II. Current Wingate head coaches provided their thoughts on what Poston has done for Wingate University, but first, a look at some of those impressive feats.

During Poston's tenure as the Vice-President and Director of Athletics, the Bulldogs have won each of the last 13 South Atlantic Conference Excellence Cups. The 13 are the most in league history, with the other current 12 SAC schools combining for a total of five Excellence Cups. Wingate also leads the conference in SAC titles, SAC Scholar-Athletes, Academic All-America honorees and Coaches of the Year during his tenure, while winning the only two team national titles in SAC history. The Bulldogs have finished in the top 30 of the NCAA Division II Learfield Cup Standings each of the last six years and are once again in the top 10 after a solid fall in 2021.

The Bulldogs continued success can be attributed to one of the top coaching staffs assembled in the country, which has eight coaches that have been at the university for over 10 years. Wingate leads all NCAA Division II schools in Academic All-America honorees since Poston's arrival. The Bulldogs have grown since Poston's arrival, adding women's golf, men's swimming, indoor and outdoor track and field, women's lacrosse, women's triathlon and most recently, field hockey. Poston was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. The longest-tenured administrator in the University's history, Poston received an honorary doctor in humane letters degree during Wingate's 2021 commencement exercises.

During Poston's 21 years as AD, Wingate has:
13 SAC Excellence Awards
133 conference titles
124 Academic All-America honorees
315 All-Americans
71 SAC Scholar-Athletes
2 Team National Championships
25 Individual/Relay National Championships
12 Region Championships
74 Conference Coach of the Year Awards
6 National Coach of the Year Awards

WINGATE COACHES ON POSTON:

Gary Hamill – Head Men's Soccer Coach since 1993
"Steve, where to start? For 30 years, Steve has been a friend, mentor and boss, and although like any great friendship we've had our ups and downs together, but the bottom line is I'm forever grateful for his guidance over my career. Steve has served the University for 50 years in many capacities, his true love is for the students and their ultimate success in a competition, but more importantly their graduation. He has always emphasized the fact that student-athletes are students first and our priority was always that."

Joe Reich – Head Football Coach since 2001
"Steve Poston has been an awesome leader of our program and the success the department has had in this time has been unparalleled. However, what is the greatest thing about Steve is that he is a great man! All the successes are secondary to that. We could not have asked for better person or leader over these past 21 years."

Kirk Sanocki – Head Swimming Coach since 2001
"I cannot imagine the number of students, faculty, and staff who Mr. Poston has encountered in some capacity over 50 years and how his influence has shaped and molded those people in the ideals of faith, knowledge and service. His influence over athletics during 20 of those 50 years is unparalleled with endless examples of success across all the sports and people he worked with. His legacy of support to those people will endure for years to come. Congratulations Steve on an outstanding career and a lifetime of dedication to serving others. Your friendship and guidance have been valued and appreciated. Enjoy your time basking in the sun! You've earned it!"

Shelton Collier – Head Volleyball Coach since 2002
"I had the pleasure of working with and for Mr. Poston for 20 years, and during this time it is impossible to put into words the amazing positive influence and impact he has had on Wingate coaches, student-athletes, support staff and the overall success of the program. Obviously, one aspect that will stand out will be the overall success of the athletic program and all of the championships, which is for sure an incredible accomplishment and legacy for which he will be remembered. He will also be remembered for a wealth of personal qualities that he brought to Wingate athletics. He was a highly effective leader, and led with patience, compassion, love, support, empathy, and a sincere care for everyone around him. He was not only an administrator, but a friend and a mentor to the coaches and a highly supportive fan of the student-athletes. The fact that we have so many coaches who have remained at Wingate for so many years is a testament to his leadership. We will all enjoy celebrating his amazing career as he transitions out of his role as athletic director."

Michal Cabana – Head Tennis Coach since 2006
"It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Poston for the past 16 years. I owe him so very much it is hard to put into words. His support for the tennis programs and myself over my time at Wingate has meant a lot to me. He gave me a chance when he hired me 16 years ago, and I will forever be thankful to him for that trust he put in me. He will be missed and I wish him all the success on the next chapter."

Brian Good – Head Men's Basketball Coach since 2008
"One of the common reasons I hear about the success of Wingate Athletics is the family atmosphere. I believe that Mr. Poston played an integral part in creating that atmosphere."

Jeff Gregory – Head Baseball Coach since 2011
"I have known Mr. Poston for many years. He was the first person I met on the campus of Wingate University when I visited as a high school senior. He was a big part of why I chose Wingate. I am truly thankful for that decision as Wingate has been a huge part of my life. Mr. Poston has been a mentor, a leader and a friend for many of us, but especially for me. It has been a privilege to work under Mr. Poston during his time as athletic director at Wingate University."

Ann Hancock – Head Women's Basketball Coach since 2012
"Mr. Poston has been an essential part of the athletic department's success for numerous reasons. He has recruited outstanding coaches who have remained at Wingate for long stints, which is unusual at the Division II level. I believe coaches have stayed at Wingate because of the incredible work environment he created during his tenure. He has hired us to do a job and then let us do it without constantly looking over our shoulders and questioning decisions that are made. He is definitely not a micro-manager. For highly-motivated coaches this is very appealing. Not only has Mr. Poston allowed us to coach our teams, but also done everything possible to provide the resources necessary to compete at the highest level. Having worked for other athletic directors, his knowledge, experience and compassion for others definitely separate him. It has been evident that he cares about each of us on a personal level. Working with and for a leader with such high moral standards has been a joy and privilege. He wants to win but only if it is done the right way. In such a cut-throat profession, it is uplifting to know that doing what's right still matters. I am so glad that I was able to be at Wingate to witness some of the outstanding successes achieved during his tenure."

Tim Boyle – Head Men's Lacrosse Coach since 2017
"I have had the honor to work under Mr. Poston for five years now and I am so thankful that he gave me an opportunity to be a part of the Bulldog family. It has been a great honor to work with him, he has done so much over his time here at Wingate. The athletic department and the University are in a much better place because of his commitment and dedication over the years."

Abby Wiley – Head Women's Lacrosse Coach since 2018
"It has been an absolute pleasure working for Mr. Poston. I am very thankful for the opportunity he gave me to join the Bulldog family. The culture he has created in the department is unmatched. His tenure at Wingate has been impressive to say the least. I thank him for everything that he has done to help build all of the success here at Wingate."  

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 24 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.