Wingate, N.C.----Six new members will be added to the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame during the induction ceremony Friday, Oct. 1. The induction will be part of a Blue Carpet Gala which will include Wingate University Alumni Awards in addition to the Sports Hall of Fame recognitions. This year's Hall of Fame ceremony will also take place on Homecoming weekend at Wingate. The six will also be honored at halftime of the football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, when the Bulldogs face Tusculum at 6 p.m.

The Wingate Sports Hall of Fame class of 2021 includes swimmer Gus Chagas (2010), tennis player Juan Diaz (1971 NJCAA national champion), swimmer Mason Norman (2010), soccer forward Junior Nyemb (2010), softball third baseman Hallie Pettigrew (2010) and lacrosse midfield Bryan Safarik (2007).

"After a year on hiatus, the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame Committee has completed their task with the selection of the 2021 Class for Induction," WU Athletic Foundation and Bulldog Club director Bill Nash says. "Following the process of identifying worthy candidates, the committee thoughtfully researches and discusses the candidate's achievements and recognitions. This athletic program at Wingate Junior College, Wingate College and Wingate University has a rich history of incredible teams, seasons, coaches and of course student-athletes. To present a class of six inductees is something of challenge. Not because we have to dig deep to find a representative class, but because there are so many more than worthy candidates who have been frankly great at what they do and how they do it. This committee takes this responsibility seriously and after our due diligence we have recommended these six former Wingate student-athletes for induction into our Sports Hall of Fame on October 1, 2021."

GUS CHAGAS
Men's Swimming (Class of 2010)

Chagas was the first student-athlete in Wingate Athletics history to win an NCAA national title, winning the championship in the 200 Freestyle in 2007. He won the same event in 2010, while picking up a third national title in the 400 Freestyle relay in 2010.

Chagas was a 25-time All-American in his illustrious Bulldog career, which included 19 first team All-American swims. The 2007 BMC Swimmer of the Year won 11 BMC titles while leading Wingate to the first-place showings at the BMC Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In addition to his three national titles, Chagas added five second-place finishes on the national stage and a pair of third-place showings. He was named the Wingate University Freshman of the Year in 2007 and was the Athlete of the Year in 2010.

JUAN DIAZ
Men's Tennis (Wingate Junior College 1971)

Diaz had an incredible career at Wingate Junior College, playing for Hall of Fame coach Ron Smarr. He won the NJCAA singles national championship in 1971, defeating fellow Wingate Hall-of-Famer Audley Bell in the title match. He also earned All-American accolades in 1971. He led the Bulldogs to the NJCAA national title in 1971.

Following his junior college days at Wingate, Diaz went on to have huge success at the University of Florida, where he played number one singles and doubles from 1973-1975, winning the SEC singles title in 1975 after capturing the doubles championship in 1973. He was a three-time first team All-SEC selection. Diaz went on to have success in the USA-Italia Cup Team, playing number two singles and doubles to help the USA team to a runner-up finish in 1986, then won the championship the following year.

MASON NORMAN
Men's Swimming (Class of 2010)

Norman was another huge factor in turning Wingate men's swimming into a national power. His illustrious four-year career included 23 All-American swims, with 16 first team All-American trophies. Norman capped his career by winning the national title in the 400 Freestyle Relay in the final race of his career in 2010.

Norman won 10 BMC titles in his career and was named the BMC Swimmer of the Meet in 2010. He led the Bulldogs to three consecutive BMC championships. In addition to his 10 titles, Norman added eight runner-up finishes and six third-place showings. He also had seven second-place finishes at the NCAA championships to go along with his 2010 national title, adding one third-place showing.

JUNIOR NYEMB
Men's Soccer (Class of 2010)

Nyemb was a four-time All-SAC and All-Region player for Hall of Fame coach Gary Hamill, helping the Bulldogs to a successful four-year span that saw Wingate make a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Nyemb led the 'Dogs in goals three times in his four-year career, piling up 44 goals and 14 assists in his career, including 13 game-winning goals. He was also a three-time Academic All-District honoree.

Nyemb had six goals and six assists in his first season to earn second team All-SAC accolades, while registering 13 goals and five assists as a sophomore to earn first team all-conference honors. Nyemb piled up 16 goals and an assist as a junior, earning second team All-SAC honors. He capped his career with nine goals and two assists in the 2009 season, earning first team all-conference accolades as the 'Dogs went 13-5-1 overall and earned their second NCAA Tourney bid in four years.

HALLIE PETTIGREW
Softball (Class of 2010)

Pettigrew put her name all over the Wingate record book in her four-year career, which culminated by being named the 2009 SAC Player of the Year and SAC Scholar-Athlete. The four-year All-SAC selection earned All-Region honors twice, while also earning Academic All-District accolades on two occasions.

Pettigrew is Wingate's all-time leader with 258 career hits, 154 runs scored, 58 sacrifice bunts and 674 at-bats, ranking fourth in program history with a .383 batting average and 68 stolen bases. Pettigrew ranks sixth in SAC history in career hits. She started her career by hitting .409 and earning SAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2006, helping the Bulldogs win the SAC Tournament title. Pettigrew hit .406 in her senior season, leading Wingate to the regular season SAC championship and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

BRYAN SAFARIK
Men's Lacrosse (Class of 2007)

Safarik is the second men's lacrosse player to be inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame. The All-American was a two-time All-DSC honoree. Safarik was selected in the third round of the National Lacrosse League Draft in 2007.

Safarik ranks sixth on Wingate's all-time points list, ranking fourth with 118 career goals and 10th with 48 assists. His 43 goals in the 2006 season were the most in program history until the 2021 season. He piled up 43 goals and 10 assists on the year, followed by a 29-goal, 15-assist effort in 2007, earning USILA second team All-American honors while leading the Bulldogs to the DSC regular season and tournament titles.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. 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 a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 23 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.