Wingate, N.C.----Five new members will be added to the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame during the induction ceremony Friday, Oct. 25. The five new members of the Hall of Fame are football's
Perry Floyd (2012), softball's
Ashley Green (2008), swimming's
Rory Julyan (2013), volleyball's
Maggie Malone (2012) and soccer's
Philip Poole (2004). In addition, 2022 inductee
Luke Mulholland (soccer) will be at this year's festivities after being unable to attend the last two years. This year's Hall of Fame ceremony will take place over Homecoming weekend. The five inductees will also be honored at halftime of the football game on Oct. 26.
PERRY FLOYD
Football (Class of 2012)
Floyd is one of the best all-purpose players in Wingate football history. A second team All-American in 2009, Floyd piled up 3,915 all-purpose yards during his Wingate career. He compiled a WU-record 2,442 all-purpose yards in 2010, good for a school-record 203.5 yards per game. Wingate's all-time leader in kick return yards ranks fifth in receiving touchdowns and eighth in receiving yards.
Floyd's huge 2010 season helped the Bulldogs win their first SAC title in program history and make their first-ever NCAA play-off appearance. He had 71 catches for 1,236 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 75 rushing yards, 330 punt return yards and 801 kick return yards. His 2,442 all-purpose yards are over 500 more than any other player in program history, while his 15 receiving TDs in 2010 are also a school record. Floyd had a school-record 348 all-purpose yards including 159 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Wingate's first-ever play-off game, a 63-41 victory over Morehouse.
"It's such an honor to be inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame," Floyd says. "I would like to thank the University and Coach Reich for the opportunity to come and be a part of the Wingate Family. I would also like to thank my Mother (
Trudy) and late Father (
Perry) for providing me with a great support system and encouraging me to chase my dreams. I truly appreciate any and everyone who helped make this happen!"
ASHLEY GREEN
Softball (Class of 2008)
Green was a huge part of Wingate's SAC Tournament run in 2006, taking home MVP honors. One of the most decorated pitchers in program history, Green has her name all over the WU history books. Green piled up 69 victories during her career while striking out 541 in her three-year career. She ranks second in program history in wins and strikeouts, while ranking fifth with 595 innings pitched.
Green's final two seasons at Wingate were two of the best in Wingate softball history. She won 27 games during her junior season in 2006, posting a 1.51 ERA with 176 strikeouts, while notching eight shutouts, leading the 'Dogs to the SAC Tournament title. She followed by posting a 2.21 ERA in 2007 with 231 strikeouts, collecting 29 wins with six shutouts. Her 29 wins are a single-season Wingate record, with her 27 victories ranking second. Her 231 strikeouts in 2007 are also a school record.
"I am honored to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame," Green says. "My years at Wingate with my teammates are foremost among memories I hold most dear. I am incredibly lucky to have had the career I did with WU softball and I am grateful to Coach
Michelle Caddigan for giving me that opportunity. I am so thankful that my parents and my brother were willing to give up so many of their weekends so that I could play ball and for driving countless miles to support me and see me play. This means the world to me!"
RORY JULYAN
Men's Swimming (Class of 2013)
Julyan piled up the accolades during his Wingate career, helping the Bulldogs win four straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference titles. He posted 17 All-American swims during his illustrious career, picking up 12 first team All-American trophies. Julyan led the 'Dogs to four straight top-six national finishes, with two fifth-place finishes and a pair of sixth-place showings.
Julyan won a national championship during his freshman season in 2010 as a part of the 400 Freestyle Relay team. The 27-time All-BMC honoree won 10 BMC titles while adding six runner-up finishes and six third-place showings. In addition to his national title in 2010, Julyan added a runner-up finish and third-place showing during his career.
"I'd like to thank my coaches,
Kirk Sanocki,
Dan Kesler and
Kerry Smith for their unwavering support," Julyan says. "Most importantly, I'd like to remind the lads - don't turn left."
MAGGIE MALONE
Volleyball (2012)
Malone is one of the greatest defensive players in the history of Wingate and SAC volleyball. The three-time All-SAC and All-Region libero earned AVCA All-American accolades in 2009 when she piled up a then-school-record 633 digs. Malone ranks second in program history with 1,995 digs, while ranking seventh with 140 aces.
Malone was the defensive anchor of a Wingate squad that won four regular season SAC titles and four SAC Tournament championships during her career. The Bulldogs went 130-7 during her four-year career, with a perfect 68-0 record in league play. Malone is Wingate's all-time leader with 4.67 digs per set. She earned SAC Tournament MVP accolades in 2009, while helping the 'Dogs win their first-ever region championship in 2010. Malone also helped lead Wingate to its only undefeated regular season in program history in 2011, going 27-0 during the regular season while winning their first 32 matches of the year.
"I am honored to be inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame, joining many prestigious athletes and coaches," Malone says. "While reflecting on my time at Wingate, I am overwhelmed with fond memories, cherished friendships and unforgettable championships. Thank you to Coach
Shelton Collier for seeing something in me and persuading a girl from the Southside of Chicago to play at Wingate. I appreciate your time and commitment in helping me grow as a player, leader and coach. To my former teammates, especially
Liz Willis, this recognition is a culmination of what we did together. Lastly my parents, thank you for always being my number one fans and supporters. I owe this all to you. Thank you, Wingate. I am forever grateful."
PHILIP POOLE
Men's Soccer (Class of 2004)
Poole piled up the accolades during his illustrious Bulldog career. The four-time All-SAC honoree was the 2000 SAC Freshman of the Year. He was also a three-time All-Region selection, leading Wingate to back-to-back regular season SAC titles in 2001 and 2002. Poole recorded 252 saves during his Bulldog career, notching 13 shutouts while collecting 46 victories.
After his standout Wingate career, Poole hit the coaching ranks. He spent 12 years as the USA Women's Soccer National Team assistant coach, while also serving as an assistant coach for the USA Olympic women's soccer team. He is currently the head coach for the Carolina Ascent FC.
"Everything I am lucky enough to have in my life comes from Wingate University," Poole says. "To be inducted into WU Sports Hall of Fame is the honor of a lifetime. I owe so much to a small town in Union County that gave me big dreams and a launch pad into my professional career. Coach
Gary Hamill and so many other leaders gave me gifts and opportunities that I will never be able to repay."
LUKE MULHOLLAND
Men's Soccer (Class of 2011 – Hall of Fame class of 2022)
Mulholland's standout Wingate career paved the way for a 10-year professional career in the MLS. The four-time first team All-SAC honoree and three-time All-American was named the 2009 SAC Player of the year. He led the Bulldogs to the 2010 regular season SAC title and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Mulholland piled up 37 goals and 26 assists in his Bulldog career, good for 100 points. He poured in 17 goals during his junior season, adding three assists to earn first team All-American accolades. Those 17 goals included eight game-winners. Mulholland followed by handing out a team-best 10 assists as a senior, as the 'Dogs went 15-4 overall and 8-1 in league play to capture the regular season SAC title, earning their third NCAA Tourney bid in four years. Mulholland spent 10 years with Real Salt Lake of the MLS, playing 123 regular season matches while collecting 16 goals and 16 assists. Real Salt Lake made five appearances in the MLS Cup playoffs during his career.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five 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, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 26 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 16 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at
www.wingate.edu.
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