Digital Commons Network^™

William Glover Named Director Of The Gardnerwebb Bulldog Club, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Gardner-Webb University Interim Vice President of Advancement Karen Bruce has named William Glover, a native of Shelby, N.C., as director of the Bulldog Club and Sponsorship Programs. Glover reports directly to the vice president for Advancement and is responsible for increasing Bulldog Club membership and securing philanthropic girls from the university’s alumni, friends and corporate partners.

Gardner-Webb Interim President Nate Evans Names Athletic Director Emeritus Chuck Burch As Interim Vice President And Director Of Athletics, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Gardner-Webb Interim President Nate Evans has announced that Athletic Director Emeritus Chuck Burch will serve as the interim vice president of Athletics. He fills the role left vacant by Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, who was recently named director of Athletics at the University of Akron in Ohio.

Perceptions Of Character And Leadership Development In High School Athletes, Jonathan M. Heeren

Doctorate in Education

The impact of sports on American society cannot be understated. High school athletics is considered a unique representation of the school and, often, the community. High school sports have long been used to serve several purposes. In addition to promoting physical health and competitive spirit, one purpose of sports is to develop the overall character of the athletes who participate, including leadership. With over 8.5 million students (National Federation of High Schools [NFHS], 2023) participating annually, there exists opportunities within an ideal environment in which to develop leadership. Coaches are tasked not only with teaching the fundamentals of their particular …

On And Off The Court: Who Am I?, Katie Claire Parker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

From a very young age, athletically gifted individuals are encouraged to pursue their sport. This can lead to a strong maturity in an athletic sense, yet it comes at the expense of other areas of development. The early commitments to sport require the individual to make sacrifices that allow them to gain competency over others, as a result, additional values and identifying characteristics get pushed aside. Further, athletes are known for performing in the spotlight. Every game has an audience and one team ends up a winner, the other a loser. Typically, the athletes experience the highs of victory and …

The Relationship Between Yoga Practice And Sports Performance Of High-Level Athletes, Molly Freeman

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to review existing literature to determine if there is a relationship between yoga practice and the sports performance of high-level athletes. As awareness of mental health in sports continues to grow, athletes and coaches are searching for therapeutic methods to promote well-being and boost sports performance Yoga is a practice combining breath, meditation, and movement that has many physical and mental benefits. This literature review explores the impact of these benefits on athletic performance. Findings that yoga can boost physical and mental fitness, two very important attributes of successful athletes, point to the practice …

Runnin’ Bulldogs Men’S Tennis Claims Program’S First Big South Tournament Championship, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Big South All-Conference standout and freshman newcomer Boyd Schreiber (https://gwusports.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/boyd-schreiber/10758) took down Trevor Gray 6-5, 6-1 at No. 6 singles to clinch the 2025 Big South Men’s Tennis Tournament Championship for Gardner-Webb over UNC Asheville on April 18 at the Lexington County Tennis Complex, the team’s first tournament championship in program history.

Gardner-Webb Officials Announce Terri Williams As The New Women’S Basketball Head Coach, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Gardner-Webb University Vice President and Director of Athletics Andrew T. Goodrich has announced Terri Williams as the new head coach of the Runnin’ Bulldogs women’s basketball program. Williams is a 30-year veteran with 17 years of experience as a Division I head coach.

Transforming The Feminist Movement – How Female Celebrities Influence The Economic Power And Consumer Behaviors Of Women, Erin Lewantowicz

Senior Theses

This thesis explores the evolving relationship between feminism, economic power, and celebrity culture in the 21^st century. Through an examination of three key industries—entertainment, athletics, and influencers—this study highlights how female celebrities like Taylor Swift, Caitlin Clark, and Alix Earle act as catalysts for significant shifts in women’s economic and consumer power. Taylor Swift’s impact on the entertainment industry, Caitlin Clark’s role in redefining women’s sports, and Alix Earle’s influence on the social media marketing landscape illustrate the growing authority of women as consumers and change-makers. Utilizing social media, brand partnerships, and unprecedented fan engagement, these women transcend traditional …

An In-Depth Analysis Of The Bellarmine University Student Athlete Experience, Mattingly E. Spalding

Undergraduate Theses

The goal of this thesis is to improve the student athlete experience at Bellarmine University through direct feedback from our current student athletes. By defining what parts of the student athlete experience they value most, Bellarmine can reflect on the support currently provided in these areas. Additionally, if it is concluded through the response that high valued areas are not being satisfied, Bellarmine can work to improve the support in these areas. Or, if there is abundant support in a low-valued area, Bellarmine could think to shift resources into a more needed concentration. Through the design sample, data was accumulated …

The Southern Miss Bower Academic Center: A Recent Academic Library-Athletics Partnership, Blake Denton

Faculty Publications

In 2019, A. Blake Denton published a literature review that identified and described 35 partnerships between academic libraries and athletics programs at higher education institutions in the United States, 20 of which were established for library marketing and development purposes. Recognizing that the literature documenting marketing and development partnerships was dated, he published a study in 2021 that provided updated, more comprehensive accounts for eight participating institutions and an analysis of the evolving nature of their relationships over time. This third article analyzes the partnership at the University of Southern Mississippi that resulted in the relocation of the athletics program’s …

Gardner-Webb Women’S Basketball Team Lands Several Big South Postseason Honors Including Player Of The Year For Ashley Hawkins, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

The Gardner-Webb University women’s basketball team has landed several postseason awards per release from the league office, with senior guard Ashley Hawkins (https://gwusports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ashley-hawkins/10252) being named the 2024-25 Big South Player of The Year.

Gardner-Webb Ready For Big South Championship Battle In Johnson City, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

The Gardner-Webb men’s and women’s basketball teams are ready to take the court in the 2025 Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships, set to take place March 5-9 at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Both teams are eager to make a deep run in the tournament and battle for the conference title.

Gardner-Webb Swimming Closes Asun Championship With Four Podium Finishes, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

The Gardner-Webb University men’s and women’s swimming teams wrapped up an impressive week at the 2025 ASUN Championship on Feb. 22, hosted at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The Runnin’ Bulldogs capped off the meet with four podium finishes in the final events, including a championship performance from standout swimmer Luke Weber.

Gardner-Webb Baseball Prepares For Season Home- Opener Against St. Bonaventure On Feb. 14, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

The Gardner-Webb University baseball team has announced its schedule for the upcoming 2025 season. In total, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will play 56 games, including a 24- game slate within the Big South Conference. Gardner-Webb opens its season on Friday, Feb. 14 as it hosts St. Bonaventure in a four-game set at John Henry Moss Stadium.

Leveling The Playing Field: Aligning Title Ix And Title Vii Sexual Harassment Standards To Ensure Equity For Female Hazing Victims, Cammie Swain

Cardozo Law Review

As hazing has become more common among student-athletes at colleges and universities throughout the country, litigants have used Title IX as a legal remedy to hold these educational institutions accountable for hazing practices on their campuses. However, while various male plaintiffs have brought successful Title IX cases alleging that their hazing experiences constitute actionable discrimination under Title IX, fewer women have had success in bringing such cases. This disparity looms especially large as the number of hazing incidents among women has grown and as intercollegiate athletics has transformed into a massive, lucrative industry. Since 2021, student-athletes have been able to …

The Role Of Social Communication In The Social Cohesion Of Athletic Team Players In The Ministry Of Education, Rawaah Sukkarieh

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

The study aimed to identify the role of social communication in social cohesion among athletic players in the Ministry of Education. A descriptive approach was used, employing a questionnaire consisting of 15 items distributed across three areas: 'belonging to the group,' 'satisfying social needs,' and 'integration into teamwork.' The sample consisted of 115 players from the teams of the educational directorates in the Ministry of Education. Statistical methods used included averages, standard deviations, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and the T-test. The most important results indicated that the role of social communication in social cohesion among athletic team players …

Gardner-Webb Softball Prepares For 32 Home Games And 18-Game Big South Conference Slate, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

The Gardner-Webb University softball team has announced its upcoming 2025 schedule, featuring several tournament weekends, 32 home games at Brinkley Stadium and an 18-game Big South Conference slate.

Profile: Innovation Through The Liberal Arts, Communications And Marketing

Profile (1996-)

In this issue: Alumnus Chooses to Pay It Forward with Scholarships ; Gallant Makes the Most of Scholarships ; Newell Gives Back with Entrepreneurship Class ; Giving Allows Students to Get Business Ownership Experience ; Competitive Ethics Team Earns National Bid ; Tollefsrud Named Fulbright Finalist ; Noujdi Receives 2024 Undergraduate SEED Award ; Faculty and Staff Awards ; Hands-On Observatory Experience for Physics Students ; Zavada, Students Travel to Peru for Fulbright Research ; Morris Model Wins Second Department of Energy Competition ; 2025 Commencement ; Spotlight: Highlighting the Degree in Three Option ; AI Philosophy Tutor: Using AI …

Physical And Perceived Effects Of The Menstrual Cycle On Female Athletes, Talia E. Casarella, Alyssa M. Quiteles, Emily E. Liddick, Madelyn R. Swarthout, Rebecca J. Turner

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the physical and perceived effects of the menstrual cycle on female athletes’ performance during training and competition.

Hypothesis: The researchers hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in performance based on the phase of the menstrual cycle.

Methods: This study used EBSCO Academic Search Complete and Science Direct, focusing on peer-reviewed articles from the last 10 years. Search terms included: (exercise or physical fitness or physical activity) AND (menstrual cycle or period or menstruation or menses or follicular phase or luteal phase) AND (female athletes or women athletes or athletic …

Returning To School After A Pandemic And The Lived Experiences Of 9-12 Grade Athletic Coaches On Student-Athlete Success, Louie Vallejo

Dissertations

Purpose: This phenomenological examination examines ninth-12th grade athletic coaches’ perceptions of the impact on athletes returning to athletic competition after being online during the pandemic for 2 years with regard to behavior, athletic achievement, attitude, and social connections.

Methodology: This qualitative study interviewed athletic coaches in the Tri-County Athletic Conference in Central California. Semi structured open-ended interview questions were the main source of data collection. Data were coded and the researcher analyzed the data for themes and patterns, and the results were validated through the interrater process by an experienced researcher.

Findings: After analyzing data, codes, and themes, the researcher …

Refereeing Nil Athlete Agents: Examining Equitable And Protective Measures For Ncaa Student-Athletes In A Post-Alston Environment, Katherine A. Berman

Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice

This Note examines the challenges posed by the lack of regulation surrounding athlete agents involved in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals across the United States and their impact on collegiate student-athletes. Despite efforts from the NCAA and higher education institutions for federal NIL legislation and guidance, many proposed solutions face significant obstacles, including conflicts with state laws and partisan divisions. This Note traces the commercialization of student-athletes through the history of the NCAA, reviews key NIL cases, and analyzes current state and federal legislation focused on athlete representation. This Note also explores the emergence of NIL service providers, including …

Equality And Excellence: Providing Quality Opportunities In Women’S Athletics Through Title Ix, Jeissy Lee

CMC Senior Theses

In 1975, the U.S. codified Title IX amendments to require institutions that receive federal funding to provide both sexes with equal athletic opportunity, an extension of the requirements on non-discrimination in education. While this has helped increase female participation in athletics particularly at the collegiate level, schools engage in four shady practices that can skirt around the intent of Title IX. These include taking advantage of a singular census date, double- or triple-counting athletes, overpacking rosters, and counting male practice players as female athletes. In this paper, I analyze how each of these four practices might improve female athletic opportunities …

Staying In The Game: A Study On Mentorship And Persistence Of Women Ncaa Division Iii Athletics Directors, Myranda Hope Nash

Dissertations

Mentorship and persistence among women NCAA Division III Athletics Directors (ADs) remain underexamined despite their significance for leadership continuity. With women comprising only 33% of Division III ADs, intentional mentorship is essential to advancing gender equity in collegiate athletics. This qualitative study analyzes interviews with ten women ADs to examine mentorship structures, professional trajectories, and psychosocial outcomes. Seven themes emerged: institutional culture and alignment; supervisors as mentors; queen bee syndrome; career pathways; influential leadership; Clutterbuck’s mentorship phases; and psychosocial support. Informal mentorship proved most effective, frequently developing into sustained professional relationships. Participants reported increased confidence, validation, and emotional support, particularly …

It’S Time To Stop Punting: Preserving The Integrity Of College Sports One Nil Deal At A Time, Talon D. Tarone

University of San Francisco Law Review

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Experiences Of Collegiate Black Female Student-Athletes From A Phenomenological Perspective, Deja L. Jackson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Collegiate Black female student-athletes at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) face a unique experience as they navigate the complex intersections of race, gender, and sports while striving for academic and athletic success. Their encounters with racism, discrimination, and marginalization remain largely underexplored. This research provides findings from a transcendental phenomenological study that examined the lived experiences of these athletes. The goal was to understand how racism, discrimination, and marginalization impact these student-athletes both individually and in context sport. Grounded in social constructivism and informed by Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality Theory, the study involved semi-structured interviews with eight current and former …

Alena Ivanov And Nathan Cremin Take Gwu Athlete Of The Week Awards For Dec. 9, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

After a strong first weekend of indoor season, senior Alena Ivanov and sophomore Nathan Cremin from the Gardner-Webb University track and field team have taken home GWU Athlete of The Week.

Gardner-Webb Athletes Of The Week For Nov. 25 And Dec. 2 Recognized For Accomplishments On The Court And In The Pool, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

After a weekend of noteworthy performances, junior Justin Bender of the Gardner-Webb University swimming team and freshman Maja Rohkohl of the Gardner-Webb women’s basketball team were named GWU Athletes of The Week for Nov. 25.

Gardner-Webb Signs Men’S Soccer Head Coach Scott Wells To Multi-Year Contract Extension, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Coming off one of the most successful men’s soccer seasons in school history, Gardner-Webb University President Dr. William Downs is pleased to announce a multi-year contract extension for head coach Scott Wells.

Cbs Analyst Gene Steratore Is Featured Speaker For Gardner-Webb Baseball’S First Pitch Celebration On Feb. 1, Office Of University Commuications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Now in its fifth year, Gardner-Webb baseball’s First Pitch Celebration has become a must-attend event. Scheduled for Feb. 1 in Tucker Student Center, the featured speaker is NFL and NCAA Rules Analyst Gene Steratore. A native of Uniontown, Pa., Steratore is a former NCAA and NFL official with 40 years of experience that includes refereeing Sweet-16 games and a Super Bowl.

Comparison Of The Effect Of Heavy Pulls Vs Light Powers On A Subsequent Clean In Trained Athletes, Luke Devirgiliis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The sport of weightlifting has been competed since the first modern Olympiad. Competition in weightlifting consists of 3 attempts the snatch and clean and jerk declared by the athlete and their coach prior to the starting of the lift. While waiting for the athlete’s lift, waiting periods can change and warm up attempts may need to be adjusted. Often, coaches prescribe either a complete “light power” or partial “heavy pull” repetition of the competed movement during a long wait. Previous literature indicates that a heavier stimulus may cause a “post-activation potentiation”, or “post-activation performance enhancement” effect on the subsequent lift. …