Wingate, N.C.----Eight new members will be added to the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame during the induction ceremony Friday, Nov. 14. The eight new members are former Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Greg Bell, swimmer Marko Blazevski (class of 2014), football wide receiver Chris Bowden (class of 2014), former Deputy Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator and softball coach Michelle Caddigan, football quarterback Cody Haffly (class of 2012), volleyball right-side hitter Anna Hilton (class of 2014), baseball outfielder Dodson McPherson (class of 2013) and men's basketball forward Odell Turner (class of 2013). In addition, men's soccer inductees Philip Poole (2024 hall of fame inductee) and Luke Mulholland (2022 hall of fame inductee) will be a part of this year's ceremony. Wingate will also honor Dr. Thomas Koontz with the inaugural IMPACT award.

This year's Hall of Fame ceremony will take place over Homecoming weekend. Unlike previous years, this year's ceremony will be a standalone event, only honoring the Sports Hall of Fame inductees. The ceremony will be Friday, Nov. 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the LaVerne Banquet Hall. The inductees will also be honored at halftime of the football game on Nov. 15. The Friday, Nov. 14 reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner and program starting at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a Wingate athletics memorabilia display.

DR. GREG BELL
Faculty Athletic Representative 1995-2006

Dr. Bell has been at Wingate University since 1984, when he began as a professor, then was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995. In 2002, Dr. Bell was named the Chairman of the Mathematics Department. He became Wingate's Faculty Athletic Representative in 1995, serving as FAR through 2006. In his time, he worked with Athletic Directors John Thurston, Dr. Beth Murray, Doreen McAfee and Steve Poston.

During his time at Wingate, Dr. Bell has earned several awards including the Corts Teaching Award in 1999, the Spirit Award in 2004 and 2017, the Ralph Hargett Service Award in 2005, the Unsung Hero Award in 2011 and the Alumni Excellence in Service Award in 2012. Dr. Bell has served on numerous committees in his time at Wingate, serving as the Chair of Academic Affairs, as well as the Chair of the Math Search Committee and Biology Search Committee. He served in the Health Pathways Taskforce and on the Faculty Role Committee. Throughout all of his time at Wingate, even with his numerous duties, Dr. Bell has always found time to attend countless home games to cheer on the Bulldogs throughout his 41 years of service.

"I am extremely honored to join the sports Hall of Fame," Bell says. "I really enjoyed my time working with the athletic department, and I especially enjoyed my time watching all the ball games down through the years."

MARKO BLAZEVSKI
Swimming (Class of 2014)

Blazeveski not only had an incredible career at Wingate, but also represented Macedonia at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. In 2012, Blazevski carried the flag for his country during the opening ceremonies at the London Olympics.

At Wingate, Blazevski was a three-time national champion and 16-time All-American, earning 12 first team All-American trophies. He won the 400 IM in 2011, 2012 and 2014. He was also a three-time first team Academic All-America® honoree. Blazevski led the Bulldogs to four straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference titles, piling up nine BMC titles to go along with four runner-up finishes. He led the Bulldogs to four consecutive top-10 national finishes, including back-to-back fifth-place showings in 2011 and 2012.

"I'm truly honored to be inducted into the Wingate University Hall of Fame," Blazevski says. "I came to Wingate as a skinny 17-year-old and left as an adult with a clearer vision for what I wanted to accomplish in life. I'm grateful to my coaches Kirk Sanocki and Dan Kesler, my teammates, and my professors for shaping that journey and supporting me along the way. This recognition is a reflection of all those people and the special community at Wingate."

CHRIS BOWDEN
Football (Class of 2014)

Bowden is Wingate's all-time leader in career receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns. He piled up 263 receptions for 3,719 yards and 35 touchdowns during his illustrious Bulldog career. Bowden ranks third in SAC history in receiving yards and fourth in receptions and touchdowns.

Bowden has three of Wingate's top-seven single-season receiving yards, including his record-shattering 2012 season that saw him earn first team All-American accolades and become one of eight finalists for the prestigious Harlon Hill trophy. That season, Bowden had 106 receptions for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 123.5 yards per contest. He had 935 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman, helping the Bulldogs capture their first-ever SAC title and make the first D2 play-off appearance in school history. In that play-off game, Bowden had seven receptions for 106 yards and two TDs.

"It hasn't truly hit me yet, but what I do know is God opened doors for me that were shut," Bowden says. "Even when I fell short of grace, I was redeemed through faith. So many people helped me reach this milestone and I'm only relevant because of them. I was placed in the best scenario to succeed because I was surrounded by greatness. My legacy is One Dawg!!"  

MICHELLE CADDIGAN
Previous Deputy AD / Senior Woman Administrator / Softball Coach

Caddigan served in various roles at Wingate University for over 20 years, starting in 1997 as the head softball coach. She assumed the role of Assistant Athletic Director in 2006, then was named an Associate AD in 2012, with her coaching career coming to an end. Caddigan was named the Deputy Director of Athletics in 2019.

During her 16 seasons as the Wingate softball coach, Caddigan piled up 529 victories, reaching 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 wins quicker than any other softball coach in league history. She led the 'Dogs to a pair of SAC titles while earning SAC Coach of the Year accolades four times. Cadidgan ranks fourth in SAC history in career victories. A big part of her administrative duties included serving on multiple Regional Advisory Committees, while also serving as a member of the Division II Women's Volleyball National Committee from 2013-2017. She chaired the committee from 2015-2017. She is a 2017 graduate of the Women Leaders in College Sports Executive Institute. Caddigan served on multiple committees on campus at Wingate, including the Academic Advising Advisory Board, the Inclusion and Understanding Council and the Inclusion and Multicultural Strategic Planning Committee. She was a campus Title IX Deputy, the Athletic Department liaison to the Student Life Offices and the advisor to the Black Student Union. Caddigan was named the Director of Athletics at Catawba College in January of 2022 and currently serves as the Vice President for Athletics.

"I am truly humbled and deeply honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," Caddigan says. "This moment means more than words can express. Coaching and leading have been among the greatest privileges of my life, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who walked this journey with me along the way — my family, the many student-athletes, colleagues, and supporters who made this journey so meaningful."

CODY HAFFLY
Football (class of 2012)

Haffly sits atop the Wingate record books in numerous categories and is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of South Atlantic Conference football. He is the school's all-time leader in completions and passing touchdowns, ranking second in passing yards and completion percentage.

An All-SAC and All-Region honoree, Haffly was a nominee for the Harlon Hill award in 2010, while being named the SAC Scholar-Athlete in 2011. He threw for 9,568 yards and 94 touchdowns in his career, completing 738 passes with a completion percentage of 59.8 percent. In his historic 2010 season, he threw for a school records of 3,952 yards and 42 touchdowns, good for 329.3 yards per game. The 42 touchdowns are still a single-season SAC record, while his 3,952 yards are good for fourth in league history. Haffly ranks fourth in SAC history in passing touchdowns, sixth in completions and eighth in yards. He helped lead the 'Dogs to their first-ever SAC title during his historic 2010 season, while also leading Wingate to its first-ever play-off appearance. In Wingate's first play-off game, Haffly threw for 477 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding a 40-yard reception.

"Being inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor," Haffly says. "My years at Wingate provided memories I will always cherish, and to be recognized in this way stands among my greatest accomplishments. I extend my deepest gratitude to my family for their unwavering support throughout my athletic journey, to my coaches for their trust and the opportunities they afforded me, and to my teammates, whose talent and dedication made this achievement possible. Above all, I am grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for blessing me with the health and ability to pursue the sport I love."

ANNA HILTON LAVELLE
Volleyball (Class of 2014)

Hilton goes down as one of the greatest players in the history of SAC volleyball. The SAC and Region Player of the Year is still the only AVCA first team All-American in the history of the South Atlantic Conference.

Hilton was a first team All-SAC and All-Region honoree in each of her final three seasons at Wingate, leading the Bulldogs to four regular season SAC titles, three SAC Tourney championships and three NCAA Southeast Region titles. The two-time SAC Player of the Year earned AVCA third team All-American accolades in 2012 before earning her historic first team nod in 2013, adding Daktronics third team accolades in 2013. Hilton ranks fourth in Wingate history in hitting percentage and fifth in kills and kills per set. During her incredible senior season, Hilton averaged 3.5 kills and 3.5 digs per set with a .347 hitting percentage to go along with 99 blocks. In her career, Hilton piled up 1,249 kills and 1,144 digs. She is the only player in WU history with over 1,100 career kills and 1,100 digs while hitting over .320.

"Being inducted into the Wingate Hall of Fame is such an incredible honor, and I'm so grateful to be recognized alongside so many talented athletes," Hilton says. "My years at Wingate were some of the most formative and rewarding experiences of my life. I owe so much to Coach Collier for seeing an opportunity in me and pouring into my development, my teammates who rode the incredible journey alongside me, and the supportive Wingate community who pushed me to become the player and person I am today. Most of all, I want to thank my family for instilling in me the drive and dedication that made all of this possible."

DODSON MCPHERSON
Baseball (Class of 2012)

McPherson put up incredible numbers throughout his career, highlighted by one of the top seasons in the history of Wingate or SAC baseball in 2011. His incredible numbers and accolades led to him being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 28th round of the 2012 MLB draft.

McPherson hit .362 in his Bulldog career, piling up 270 hits with 46 doubles, 12 triples and 36 homers, driving in 195 runs. He was an ABCA and NCBWA first team All-American in 2011, while finishing fifth in the Tino Martinez Award voting for national player of the Year. In 2011, McPherson hit .400 with 17 homers, 14 doubles, five triples and 78 RBI, scoring 65 runs while leading the Bulldogs to the SAC title and an NCAA Tourney bid. He was named the SAC Male Athlete of the Year in 2011. McPherson ranks ninth in SAC history in RBI and 10th in total bases, while his 78 RBI in 2011 are good for seventh in league history.

"I am honored to join a such a great group of athletes and people in the Wingate Hall of Fame," McPherson says. "It's hard to express the appreciation of getting inducted into the hall of fame as this is seen as a great individual honor and achievement, but it is one that couldn't be accomplished without the support of my family, my coaches, and the best teammates someone could ask for. My career at Wingate was completed 13 years ago, but the relationships that were built at Wingate will last a lifetime."

ODELL TURNER
Men's Basketball (Class of 2013)

Turner put up one of the greatest four-year careers in Wingate men's basketball history, which began with him earning SAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2010 and ended with him as the all-time SAC leader in rebounds and offensive rebounds.

Turner piled up 1,507 points during his illustrious Bulldog career, while pulling down 956 rebounds, including 364 offensive boards. A career 49 percent shooter from the field, Turner was a two-time first team All-SAC selection. He led the 'Dogs to back-to-back SAC Tournament titles in 2012 and 2013 and two straight trips to the NCAA regional semifinals. Turner averaged 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during the 2010-11 season, shooting 52 percent from the field.

"Getting inducted into the Wingate University Hall of Fame is one of the highest athletic achievements for the university, and I am completely humbled to be a part of the class of 2025," Turner says. "In 2009 when I arrived on campus, the two most important things for me were getting a degree and winning basketball games. I am truly blessed to say I accomplished both of those goals. The relationships I built here are still strong, and I am very grateful to still have my Wingate family apart of my life journey. I'd like to obviously thank God first and foremost, my mom, Coach Good, Coach Kirkland and every coach I had throughout my four years at Wingate. Also, I would like to thank every teammate I've had. Basketball is a team sport and without others there wouldn't be any individual success. I am forever a Wingate Bulldog."

DR. THOMAS KOONTZ
IMPACT Award

Dr. Thomas Koontz graduated as the class valedictorian from Wingate College in 1960. He credits his former high school basketball coach for his decision to attend Wingate, where he received a basketball scholarship and played for two years.

After graduating from Wingate with an associate degree, Koontz became the first junior-college recipient of the prestigious Morehead Scholarship from UNC-Chapel Hill. He doubled majored in history and pre-medicine for two years, then went on to study for a doctor of medicine degree at the same institution. Koontz completed his internship and surgery residency at Yale. He then served as a major in the Air Force in Florida and worked in a 22-bed hospital as chief of surgery for two years.

His career brought him back to North Carolina, and for 35 years he practiced as a vascular surgeon in a multispecialty group – Salem Surgical Associates, located in Winston-Salem. In 1993 Koontz also initiated Doctors Care, a major outreach project that has helped the working poor receive low-cost health care. The program has given away more than $25 million worth of medical care in the Winston-Salem area.

Koontz serves on the Wingate Board of Trustees and in 2009 received a Distinguished Alumni Award. As a charter member of the Bulldog Club, Koontz continues to support the athletics programs at Wingate University. On Dec. 8, 2012, Wingate University dedicated the Thomas Koontz Family Court inside Cuddy Arena, honoring Dr. Koontz and his family for their dedication and devotion. Koontz lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Lynne. They are parents to a son and daughter and have two grandchildren.

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 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.

OneDog, #OneDog, and One Day One Dog are registered trademarks of Wingate University.