Big South Conference Archives - ��

�� Student-Athlete Pursues ‘Everlasting Goals’ Through Global Learning and Healthcare Leadership

Office of University Communications — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:07:49 +0000

Lydia Robinson’s Journey Includes Division I Soccer, Study Abroad in England and a Competitive Novant Health Internship While Completing Bachelor’s and MBA Degrees in Four years

Looking at Lydia Robinson’s résumé, it would be easy to assume luck played a role in her success. The �� student-athlete from Charlotte, N.C., plays Division I soccer and is on track to earn both her bachelor’s degree and MBA in four years. She studied abroad at Liverpool Hope University in England, where she practiced with a semi-professional soccer program and traveled to 11 countries. She also was selected for Novant Health’s Ignite Internship Program within the Chief of Staff Department.

However, Robinson doesn’t view any of those accomplishments as luck. They are the result of a philosophy that guides her choices. “I always say, ‘Have everlasting goals,’” she shared. “That’s always key for me. Always have everlasting goals, because in my mind, you only have one life and you want to do it to your best ability. Take those opportunities, take those risks.”

Robinson’s willingness to put herself out there helped shape her �� experience from the beginning. She hadn’t planned to play soccer in college, but as her high school career came to an end, she realized she wasn’t ready to leave the game behind. She had already decided to attend GWU because of the close-knit campus, but decided to take a chance and contact the women’s soccer coach. She thought to herself, “What’s the worst that can happen? He can say no.”

The gamble paid off. The coach was looking for a fourth goalkeeper. After looking into her impressive record, he invited Robinson to join the team. What began as a simple email became an opportunity to compete at the Division I level while earning her degree.

She began her �� journey in Fall 2024 with plans to graduate a year early. Dual-enrollment courses and Advanced Placement classes completed in high school provided a strong start, while summer coursework allowed her to stay on track without carrying an overwhelming course load during the academic year.

Anfield, the home stadium of Liverpool FC,
currently has a seating capacity of 61,276.

Robinson also enrolled in ��’s Accelerated Master’s Program, which allows qualified students to begin earning graduate credit while completing their bachelor’s degree requirements. She is a member of the University Honors Program, a former Congressman of Honors District HAPY and a member of Delta Mu Delta, the International Business Honor Society.

Her academic path, however, wasn’t always clear. Robinson entered as a biology major on the pre-med track with plans to attend physician assistant school or medical school. While she enjoyed helping others, she soon realized direct patient care wasn’t for her.

While exploring other options, she discovered healthcare management, which allowed her to help people through leadership and decision-making. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that would be perfect because it’s the best of both worlds,’” Robinson reflected.

After choosing her major, Robinson turned her attention to fulfilling another longtime goal. For years, Robinson had envisioned studying abroad. In Spring 2026, that dream became reality when she traveled to Liverpool Hope University in England.

Before selecting a destination, Robinson researched the countries available through ��’s study abroad partnerships. Liverpool ultimately stood out because of its strong soccer culture, convenient location for travel throughout Europe, and connections through a teammate whose family lives there. When a different teammate learned of her plans to study abroad, she decided to join her.

Lydia Robinson played soccer in Liverpool with Hope University’s Football Club and practiced with Everton Football College.

The experience exceeded her expectations. While completing coursework abroad, Robinson traveled throughout Europe, visiting countries including Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Hungary, France, Poland, and others. She learned how to navigate trains and buses, budget carefully and adapt to unfamiliar environments.

“The amount of independence and maturity I feel like I gained was game changing,” she affirmed. Her mother even noticed the change and complimented her new level of confidence.

The semester abroad also gave Robinson a chance to play soccer in in a place where the sport is woven into everyday life. She joined Liverpool Hope University’s football club, and her teammate received an opportunity to play for Everton Football College. The Everton coach invited Robinson to goalkeeper practice. Training overseas exposed Robinson to a faster style of play and she learned new techniques that she plans to carry into her final collegiate season.

While there, another opportunity unexpectedly presented itself. Knowing she would be entering her senior year early, Robinson began searching for internships. One day, from her room in England, she opened LinkedIn and started submitting applications.

Within days, she received a message from Novant Health in Charlotte regarding its Ignite Internship Program. The 12-week internship rotates students through departments across the healthcare system, including communications, marketing, finance, human resources, community health and patient experience.

She participated in a virtual interview and was accepted for the program that started in June. The experience has expanded Robinson’s understanding of healthcare administration while helping her build valuable professional connections.

The internship has also reinforced lessons she learned in her business classes at ��. Robinson pointed specifically to professional communication skills and networking opportunities as areas where classroom experiences have translated into the workplace.

Lydia Robinson, second from left, was chosen to participate in the Novant Health Ignite Internship Program.

“Every single time I’m on a new Zoom call or meet a new person, I have to redo this elevator pitch pretty much being like, ‘Hi, I’m Lydia. I go to ��, majoring this, I want to do this,’” she said. “So that definitely helped me.”

Throughout her internship this summer, Robinson has carefully recorded names and professional contacts, later connecting with many of them through LinkedIn. One of the people she connected with posted about an internship opportunity for this fall, so she applied. “You never know where it could go,” she noted, expressing an interest in the program.

Whether pursuing an accelerated degree plan, studying abroad, walking onto a collegiate soccer team or gaining career experience in an internship program, Robinson believes growth begins with a willingness to try. “I’ve gained so many things in life from just putting myself out there,” she stated.

For Robinson, each accomplishment isn’t a finish line—it’s simply another step toward her next “everlasting goal.”

Learn more about programs in the Godbold College of Business.

�� is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., �� prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.

Lydia Robinson studied at Liverpool Hope University (bottom right photo) through ��’s Study Abroad Program.

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Former Runnin’ Bulldog Mason Miller Earns Second MLB All-Star Selection

Office of University Communications — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:51:20 +0000

San Diego Padres Closer Continues Remarkable Rise from �� to Baseball’s Brightest Stage

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Former �� standout and 2021 alumnus Mason Miller has been selected to the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, earning the second All-Star selection of his outstanding professional career. The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on FOX.

Now playing for the San Diego Padres, Miller has been one of Major League Baseball’s most dominant relief pitchers during the first half of the 2026 season. Entering the All-Star break, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a 2-1 record with 22 saves, a 0.98 ERA, 67 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched, and a 0.82 WHIP, cementing himself as one of the premier closers in baseball.

Miller’s selection comes after another remarkable season highlighted by his overpowering fastball, elite strikeout ability and consistency in high-leverage situations. His performance has helped anchor the Padres’ bullpen while earning recognition among the National League’s best pitchers.

Since beginning his professional career, Miller has emerged as one of the game’s elite relievers. His second All-Star selection is a testament to the work ethic, perseverance and determination that have defined his journey from �� to Major League Baseball.

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game annually showcases the sport’s top players and serves as one of baseball’s premier events. Miller’s selection adds another chapter to one of the greatest professional success stories in �� baseball history and continues the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ tradition of producing talent capable of competing on baseball’s biggest stage.

Q&A with Molly Hanley with ��’s First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling

Office of University Communications — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:24:07 +0000

Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Molly Hanley, the first head coach for �� Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with �� Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first competitions and early years.

Q: What led you to coaching?

Hanley: I competed in artistic gymnastics for 14 years before continuing my athletic career in acrobatics & tumbling at the collegiate level. During my final five years of gymnastics, I competed as a Level 10 athlete, the highest level of the USA Gymnastics Women’s Development Program. I began coaching part-time while I was in high school, working primarily with our Level 1 and Level 2 team athletes. Through that experience, I discovered how rewarding it was to help young athletes learn new skills and gain confidence in themselves. Watching their excitement when they achieved something they had worked hard for gave me a sense of fulfillment that was different from competing myself. I recognized the impact coaches can have on an athlete’s experience, growth, and development both in and out of sport. That realization is what inspired me to pursue coaching professionally and ultimately led me to a career centered on mentoring and developing student-athletes.

Q: What are your principles in guiding a team and what is your coaching style?

Hanley: I believe in coaching through a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the development of the whole student-athlete. The lessons learned through sport are invaluable and directly translate into success in life and future careers. My coaching style is built on high expectations, strong relationships, and personal accountability. I strive to create an environment where athletes understand that they are responsible for their attitude, effort, impact on others, and commitment to the team. Holding athletes accountable while also providing the support and guidance necessary for them to grow is key. This will be a program that develops successful competitors and resilient individuals who are prepared to succeed long after their athletic careers are over.

Q: What are your keys to building a winning program?

Hanley: My three keys to building a winning culture and program are grit, discipline, and belief. In my athletic and professional career, I learned how to stay committed when success was not immediate, trust the process when results were not yet visible, and continue showing up every day with the same level of effort and purpose. A winning culture is built by people who are willing to embrace hard work, persevere through adversity, and remain committed to a shared vision.

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration in your journey?

Hanley: My college coach, Emily Lewis (then Emily Powers), has been one of my biggest inspirations and the primary reason I pursued coaching. I had the privilege of being a member of her inaugural team and witnessed firsthand what it takes to build a program from the ground up. During my time as a student-athlete, our team grew from just seven athletes to more than thirty and qualified for nationals during my senior year. Watching Coach Lewis lead with vision, consistency, and a genuine investment in her athletes showed me the impact a coach can have on both a program and the individuals within it. The founding women of our sport also inspire me. The legacy they created and the opportunities they pioneered for generations of athletes to come have shaped the sport into what it is today. Their dedication to growing the sport and creating opportunities for women in athletics is something I deeply respect and aspire to honor through my own coaching career.

Q: What drew you to �� and building this program?

Hanley: �� stood out to me because of the beautiful campus, welcoming community, modern facilities, and the genuine excitement surrounding the addition of Acrobatics & Tumbling. Throughout the interview process, it became clear that there is strong institutional support for building a successful program and providing student-athletes with a meaningful experience. What drew me most to this opportunity, however, was the challenge and reward of building something from the ground up. As a student-athlete, I was part of a first-year program and experienced firsthand what it takes to establish a foundation for future success. There is something incredibly rewarding about knowing that your effort today can create opportunities for those who come after you. As a coach, I want to help student-athletes experience that same sense of ownership and pride.

Q: What are the biggest challenges of competing across multiple events in acrobatics and tumbling?

Hanley: One of the biggest challenges in Acrobatics & Tumbling is that many athletes enter the collegiate level with little to no direct experience in the sport. As a result, a large part of the process involves teaching completely new skills while also helping athletes adjust to the demands of a team environment. From a coaching perspective, this requires a strong emphasis on progression and patience. The fall semester is focused on building the technical and foundational skills that will be used in competitions during the spring. Every discipline requires its own level of precision, and those elements take time to develop.

Q: How has your experience helped prepare you to build this program?

Hanley: Having seen the growth of A&T over nearly a decade as both an athlete and a coach, I recognize how much of its success is rooted in smaller institutions that have committed to investing in and developing it. Those environments taught me to be resourceful, adaptable, and intentional with every aspect of the program. My approach is rooted in a “get it done” mentality, where success is built through consistency, accountability, and attention to detail. I am confident that my background will allow me to build a sustainable, competitive program here at ��.

Q: What has fueled the growth of the sport, and where is it headed?

Hanley: The rapid growth of Acrobatics & Tumbling can be attributed to the athletes, coaches, and pioneers who built the sport from the ground up. It was created to display the strength, athleticism, and versatility of female athletes who previously did not have a clear collegiate outlet to express those abilities in a unified team format. As both an athlete and a coach, I have seen firsthand how intentional the development of this sport has been. It was built around opportunity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to growing something new. That foundation has created a strong sense of community and purpose within the sport, which continues to drive its expansion. Looking ahead, I believe Acrobatics & Tumbling will continue to grow as more institutions recognize the value it holds as an NCAA sport for women as visibility increases and more.

Q: During the gap year to recruit and build the program, what can fans expect in 2026?

Hanley: During the gap year, �� fans can expect to see a program that is highly visible and actively laying the foundation for long-term success. Beyond recruiting I want to support my fellow coaches and integrate myself into the �� community. The presence of acrobatics & tumbling will be felt across campus, even before athletes arrive on. The goal is to create early buy-in and pride in the program so that when athletes arrive in fall 2027, they are stepping into something already rooted in standards, expectations, and support. This year is about establishing a program identity that reflects discipline and a commitment to excellence from day one.

Q: Looking ahead to 2027 and the first competitions, what are your expectations for the program’s early years?

Hanley: From day one, the standard will be centered on excellence in the details with clean technique, strong synchronization, and athletes who compete with composure under pressure. Establishing that foundation is critical, because it sets the tone for how the program will grow in the years that follow. As we continue to develop, my goal is for �� to quickly establish itself as a competitive program on the national stage. With the sport gaining NCAA championship recognition, there is an opportunity for programs being built now to position themselves early as contenders. My expectation is that we will progress year by year into a program that is consistently in conversation at the national level.

Q: If you could tell the �� community anything about your sport and what to expect, what would it be?

Hanley: Get excited. Acrobatics & Tumbling is an incredibly entertaining sport to watch, even without a deep understanding of the scoring system or technical rules behind each event. More importantly, I want the �� community to know what kind of student-athletes will represent this program. The athletes I have had the privilege of competing alongside and coaching are some of the most dedicated and driven individuals I have ever been around. They are balancing demanding academic schedules, internships, clinical experiences, and involvement across campus, all while committing fully to their sport. Their ability to show up every day with discipline and a team-first mindset is what makes this sport special. I have no doubt that the student-athletes who join this program will embody those same qualities. I would encourage the �� community to not only watch the sport, but to invest in the people behind it. This program will be built on effort, character, and pride in representing the university at the highest level.

For updates and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit , or follow on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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Samantha Thomsit Selected as Next Head Coach of �� Women’s Soccer

Office of University Communications — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:09:47 +0000

Proven Winner with Over a Decade of Experience Set to Lead Runnin’ Bulldogs

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�� Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced Samantha Thomsit as the next head coach of the women’s soccer program. She arrives at �� after four seasons at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.

“We are excited to welcome Sam to our Runnin’ Bulldogs family,” Fahey stated. “She is a proven winner and has experienced success at all levels of the game, both here and abroad. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes take big steps towards success both on and off the field under her leadership, helping to establish �� women’s soccer as a contender in the Big South Conference for years to come.”

Thomsit’s track record backs that belief. She engineered one of the top turnarounds in women’s college soccer at Spring Hill, inheriting an 0-17 team in 2021 and building it into a program that combined for 14 wins across the 2024 and 2025 seasons—the most success the program had seen in over a decade.

With a proven ability to rebuild and elevate programs, Thomsit is eager to begin her next chapter. “I am incredibly excited and honored to take over the �� women’s soccer program,” Thomsit affirmed. “�� is a special institution with a rich history and a program that has experienced tremendous competitive success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead it into its next chapter.”

Her teams showed steady progress each season, producing the highest conference point totals in program history and consecutive Gulf South Conference Quarterfinal appearances, the deepest postseason runs in school history.

That forward momentum will carry into her approach in Boiling Springs. “I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and become part of the �� community,” Thomsit added.

Beyond wins, Thomsit’s teams developed standout talent and consistency. She coached the Gulf South’s top scorer in 2024, developed the program’s first All-Conference First Team and All-Region selections, and retained nearly her entire roster over four seasons.

Prior to Spring Hill, Thomsit spent four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, helping guide the Jaguars to Sun Belt regular season championships in 2019 and 2020 and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2020 and 2021. South Alabama posted double-digit wins in three of those seasons, including a 2018 squad that allowed just 0.57 goals per match. Twenty-six players earned All-Sun Belt honors during her tenure.

Her experience also includes extensive work in youth and international soccer, with coaching stops in California, Tennessee, and Singapore, where she helped develop collegiate pathways for young players.

As she steps into the role, Thomsit expressed her gratitude to Fahey and others who have encouraged her throughout her career. “I would like to sincerely thank Brendan Fahey for believing in me, trusting me with this opportunity, and allowing me to lead this program,” she said. “I would like to thank all of Spring Hill college and Joe Niland for their continued support during my four years. Lastly, I want to thank my husband for his unwavering support and the sacrifices he has made to help me pursue this opportunity. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has done for me along this journey.”

Her success on the field began at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn. Thomsit started nearly every match as a freshman and senior and helped lead the Eagles to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2009. She graduated in 2013 with a degree in physical education.

Her former coach at Carson Newman, Richard Moodie, who now leads the program at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., shared that �� has made an exceptional hire. “She has won and overachieved everywhere she has been and I would identify her not only as one of the top female coaches in the college game, but one of the top collegiate coaches overall,” Moodie praised. “I truly believe in Sam and the impact she can have on any program fortunate enough to hire her. Any institution would be making an exceptional hire by bringing Sam into their program.”

Originally from Trowbridge, England, Thomsit holds FA Level 1 and USSF B coaching licenses and an NSCAA Level 2 Goalkeeping Diploma. She brings more than a decade of high-level coaching experience to �� and will arrive with her husband, Walker.

For updates and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit , or follow on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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�� Names Molly Hanley as Inaugural Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach

Office of University Communications — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Experienced Coach and Former Standout Athlete Tapped to Launch Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Newest Program

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Director Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of the first coach of the �� acrobatics and tumbling team. Molly Hanley, a standout collegiate athlete and the head coach at King University in Bristol, Tenn., will build the University’s new program.

“This is an exciting day for our athletic department as we announce our inaugural head acrobatics and tumbling coach,” said Fahey. “I am eager to welcome Molly to the Runnin’ Bulldogs family. Coach Hanley understands the sport at a high level and will also embrace our institution’s values and vision for excellence.”

Molly Hanley

Prior to arriving in Boiling Springs, Hanley spent two years as Head Coach of Acrobatics & Tumbling, Cheer, and Dance at King University. There, she directed three collegiate programs, managing recruiting, compliance, travel logistics, budgets, fundraising, and event operations. She successfully hosted the 2024 Conference Carolinas Championship while also leading her team to a conference finals championship after finishing sixth in the league standings.

Hanley coached three student-athletes to Conference Carolinas All-Conference honors as well as seven who were named to the Conference Carolinas All-Academic Team, including a Conference Carolinas Scholar Athlete of the Year.

“I am incredibly grateful to President Nate Evans, Athletic Director Brendan Fahey, and everyone at �� for trusting me to lead this program,” said Hanley. “From the moment I stepped on campus, the sense of community, enthusiasm surrounding a new program, and genuine care for people was evident.”

Hanley was also a standout athlete on the mats at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., where she was a two-time first team All-Conference Carolinas performer with the Crusaders, while also being a member of the inaugural team. In addition to the individual honors, Hanley qualified for the conference championships in the event finals in both the open toss and trio pass during her time at The Abbey.

She was a four-year captain while winning the Conference Carolinas championship in 2022 for the 450 salto toss, qualifying for the NCATA National Championships. Hanley was twice named first team All-Conference Carolinas and was a three-time member of the Belmont Abbey dean’s list.

Hanley competed in artistic gymnastics prior to pursuing an acrobatics & tumbling career in college, and is a level two coach, having served as a coach at private gym near her hometown in Tampa, Fla.

“Acrobatics & Tumbling has had such a profound impact on my life, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to build something meaningful for our future student-athletes,” added Hanley. “I look forward to developing these young women as athletes and as people while leading a program rooted in purpose, growth, and opportunity.”

Hanley earned her Bachelor of Arts in sport management with a minor in psychology from Belmont Abbey, where she was an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

“Hanley’s passion for developing student-athletes, building a strong team culture, and establishing a championship foundation makes her the perfect person to lead this program from day one,” added Fahey.

For updates and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit , or follow on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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Mike Griffith Reaches 200 Big South Wins, Cementing a Legacy at ��

Office of University Communications — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:00:45 +0000

Longtime Head Coach Reflects on Championships, Growth, and the Student-Athletes who Shaped the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Success

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�� men’s tennis coach Mike Griffith reached a significant milestone in his tenure with the Runnin’ Bulldogs, recording his 200th career victory while being a member of the Big South Conference. The historic win came over Converse College on Feb. 28.

Griffith, who is retiring after 23 seasons at ��, is recognized as the third winningest coach in the history of the Big South Conference. Having built one of the league’s most consistent and respected programs, he is a four-time Coach of the Year. As the program approaches its final season of competition, his impact will remain a lasting part of �� athletics history.

Griffith became the head men’s tennis coach in 2003 during ��’s first Division I season. The program competed in the A-Sun Conference until 2008, recording some wins before joining the Big South Conference in 2009.

“I will always remember the day I interviewed for the position with former AD Chuck Burch,” Griffith reflected. “So much activity was happening that day with so many athletic teams practicing. I knew right then I wanted to be at GWU and this was the perfect job for me. I was meant to be a coach.”

In 2019, �� claimed its first regular-season conference championship, finishing 7-1 in league play. “The conference had the finest No. 1 players ever, with UNCA having an eventual Grand Slam winner at Wimbledon and the Australian Open,” Griffith observed. “Our No. 1 player, Maximilian Scholl, then went 20-1, and his only defeat was to the defending national champion from Wake Forest.”

Griffith also led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in program history, compiling a 29-6 conference record over the past six seasons. The program captured its first-ever Big South Tournament Championship in 2025, earning an NCAA Tournament berth and capping a historic campaign.

“I remember some of the wins, but what motivated me was the losses,” Griffith shared. “It drove me to get better and work harder. One of the hardest defeats we’ve ever had was losing in the finals in 2024. The team and I worked hard to make sure that never would happen again, and thankfully we won it all in 2025.”

Under Griffith’s leadership, �� has consistently competed among the conference’s top teams, earning multiple postseason appearances and producing numerous All-Conference selections. His teams have been known for their depth, discipline, strong doubles play, and ability to close out matches on the singles courts.

This year’s team currently sits atop the Big South standings. “We are 12-3 and need one more conference win to clinch the regular-season championship,” Griffith said. “This is a team and a group who will go their separate ways after this season. Their character and willpower motivate me, and my goal is to send them out as champions.”

A former standout at Winthrop, Griffith played in 1987 for Cid Carvalho, the second winningest coach in Big South Conference history.

Beyond wins and accolades, Griffith’s influence has extended far beyond the court. His players have consistently excelled academically while representing �� with pride throughout their collegiate careers.

Sources: gwusports.com and Big South Conference

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Hart and Soul: ��’s Andrea Hartman Beat Cancer, Earned Starting Spot

Office of University Communications — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:46:55 +0000

With Support from Family, Coaches and Teammates, Lacrosse Defender Fought Her Way Onto the Field

Written By Beth Ann Mayer

Courtesy of

No one likes to learn they need a filling during a routine dentist appointment. But it’s not out-of-the-ordinary news.

Less than two months before leaving California for her freshman year at ��, where she was slated to play lacrosse, Andrea Hartman’s dental hygienist did, in fact, tell her she would need to have a cavity filled. But on three separate occasions, the hygienist also mentioned that Hartman’s thyroid was swollen. She advised her to get it checked out.

“I didn’t know anything about the thyroid,” Hartman said. “The only thing I knew was that my dog was having weight issues and that it was because her thyroid was not working. So, my initial reaction [was] not initial panic.”

But Hartman did want to get it checked out. She had no idea that a few months later, and at the age of 17, she’d learn that she had thyroid cancer. What Hartman did know was that she was no stranger to bumps in her athletic career. She spent her early childhood and school years in Maryland, where kids are basically handed out lacrosse sticks at birth.

Many of Hartman’s friends never put theirs down, but Hartman opted to start gymnastics. In middle school, she was diagnosed with osteochondritis in her elbow. The joint condition occurs when blood circulation is cut off from a bone (or, as Hartman said, “My bone died in my elbow”).

Hartman didn’t go back to gymnastics. Instead, she joined her friends in lacrosse. But her family decided to move to California during the pandemic. California is an emerging market for the sport, but it doesn’t have the same panache as Maryland. She made do, finding a high school with a solid program in Murrieta Mesa.

Still, Hartman didn’t get many Division I looks. Eventually, then-�� head coach Kathleen Mirgon Crum’s name appeared in her inbox.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, my first D-I email—this is so cool,” Hartman recalled.

Hartman and Crum spoke on the phone and texted back and forth. She visited the campus in November and attended a camp a few months later.

“It was �� from there,” Hartman said.

Before going to ��, Hartman had a cavity to fill, and she had items to pick up from an uncle’s house in Maryland. Another dental hygienist also flagged her swollen thyroid, so she saw an old family doctor there who ordered blood work. It came back clean.

But the bump was still there when she needed to get a physical upon arriving at school. She brought it up to the doctor, who encouraged her to come back in a few days to discuss it further.

“We decide that it’s worth it to get an ultrasound,” Hartman said. “At this point, it was so big, I guess that it wasn’t just a swollen thyroid. It was like, ‘There’s something there. There’s something like growing.’”

Was it a cyst? A nodule? Was it cancer? The ultrasound in September couldn’t say for sure, but Hartman’s care team could see that something was there. To learn more, she’d need to go for a biopsy. That step happened in October.

All the while, Hartman was participating in fall practices for the lacrosse program, now guided by head coach Chris Harris, who took over for Crum after she resigned in 2024. He liked what he saw of Hartman on film alone. “She was very responsive to everything, so I could tell that she was a mature young lady who was ready to roll,” Harris said.

Ready to roll on the lacrosse field? Sure. Ready to roll with what happened next? Not really. But to be fair, is anyone?

A week after the biopsy, Hartman got a notification that her lab results were ready, but she was unable to log in on her phone. She called the doctor’s office. “The secretary answers, and is like, ‘You need to come in and make an appointment. I can’t tell you anything about the results. You have to make an appointment,” Hartman said. “My mom and I hang up the phone, and we’re like, ‘We kind of know what this means.’”

The Hartmans were pretty sure that the secretary wouldn’t insist that they speak to the doctor in person if it wasn’t cancer. They were right. She was diagnosed with stage II papillary thyroid cancer. It was treatable with surgery, and she would not need chemotherapy.

And if there’s one thing that Megan Hartman, Andrea’s mom, knows all too well, it’s cancer. She herself has a BRCA2 gene mutation and had a preventative mastectomy. Her uncle had thyroid cancer later in his life. Other members of her family have gone through glaucoma, lung cancer and ovarian cancer, just to name a few. It was a diagnosis she had heard about so many times but never wanted for her own daughter, of course. “It was scary for a lot of reasons, but mostly because there’s such a high rate of cancer and so many different kinds of cancer in our family,” Megan Hartman said. “This is something she now has to deal with at 17. That was really concerning for us.”

It would be easy to say, “Put lacrosse on the back burner and focus on healing.” Yet there was a healthy amount of grief and angst over the cruel timing of Hartman learning of her diagnosis and the need for treatment right as she was getting her feet under her at school and in lacrosse, after an underdog’s journey to become a Runnin’ Bulldog in the first place.

“This moment collided with something she had worked toward for so long,” her mother said. “She worried about getting out of shape, letting her team down and watching her dreams slip away just as they felt within reach. This diagnosis came at a moment when she was just beginning to fully believe she belonged at this level, and that made the fear feel even heavier.”

The Runnin’ Bulldogs didn’t feel let down, though. So, Harris steadied her. Her team lifted her. “After I talked with her, I actually just sat down and just prayed about it, because it’s not an easy process,” Harris said. “But I wanted to make sure she knew that we were there for her and we were going to be with her every step of the way, no matter what the situation, whatever the results.”

Those words were a genuine promise that Harris and �� kept. “The team rallied around Andrea,” Megan Hartman said. “The coaches were so kind to her and flexible with her. The parents were absolutely amazing. We’ve been on teams for decades now, and I’ve never felt so supported by people who honestly didn’t even know us. They offered their homes for me to stay in so that I could be in North Carolina with her through all the appointments.”

Parents and players brought groceries so that Hartman and her mother were well fed. They sent gift cards and baskets and celebrated with her after the surgery, which conveniently and appropriately fell near her 18th birthday. But Hartman had a few months and a long road before she hit that milestone. And all the support was necessary. It took decisions and to-dos off the Hartmans’ plates, which were already overflowing with choices to make, appointments to attend, and information to process and act on quickly.

The first step was choosing a surgeon. They opted to work with a surgeon at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center because of its proximity to campus. “It made the most sense to us to do that, but that was stressful,” Hartman said. “You’re picking your surgeon. Hopefully, they do the best.”

Then, there was a matter of scheduling the surgery, which required a referral and consultation. “I was feeling like, ‘It’s already been nearly six months. I want this out. It’s stage II. Let’s not make it stage III,” Hartman said. “My coach did a really good job of keeping me calm. He said, ‘Don’t worry. If it were, if it were this big of a rush, they would be rushing.’”

The goal wasn’t to minimize her understandable fears. It was to provide steady confidence and unwavering support.

The next steps took a hard pivot when Hartman’s surgeon offered her another choice. She could remove half her thyroid as planned or all of it to lower the risk of recurrence. “I was like, ‘Wow, another big decision,’” Hartman said.

A big decision complicated by some serious whiplash.

“The same day, we go into a different office, and we see the endocrinologist, who is the doctor who’s going to be with me for the rest of my life, and she said, ‘We recommend you get only half out, because there’s no need to get the other half out,’” Hartman said. “So, it was like, ‘OK, I have a surgeon telling me to get the full thing out. I have my doctor telling me to get half. This is just a lot.’”

In the end, Hartman opted to have her entire thyroid removed. The surgery was successful, but the first night was sleepless for Hartman and her mother as she struggled to maintain calcium and hormone levels, a common but scary side effect. “She was convulsing, and it was incredibly, incredibly scary for me as a parent,” Megan Hartman said. “[The staff] knew exactly how to take care of her. There were definitely points where I was really, really scared and uncomfortable with what was happening, but very confident in her medical team.”

The confidence was well placed. The doctors tested lymph nodes that would not have been removed if Hartman had opted for the less-comprehensive surgery, and they turned out to be cancerous, too.

She will complete preventative radioactive iodine treatment this summer, once the lacrosse season ends. Leaving the game that she’s come to love behind? Never an option. “Quitting lacrosse never crossed my mind,” Hartman said. “I think having to take six weeks off was difficult.”

But she’s grateful for the timing, which “only” included the last two weeks of fall ball. The other four weeks occurred during holiday and winter breaks, giving her time to work her way back.

But unlike an ACL injury, which typically takes around 18 months to fully return from, there’s not a blueprint for making a comeback from thyroid cancer. Perhaps surprisingly, though, it’s much shorter than an ACL tear recovery. The doctor suggested that she avoid heavy weightlifting for two weeks and progressively work her way back up after. They told her she’d likely be good to go after six weeks. Hartman wasn’t just good to go. She was ready.

“It made me realize how much I loved lacrosse,” Hartman said. “Fall ball is hard, so I was craving winter break. Then, I had that last little bit of fall ball taken away from me, and I was like, ‘The only thing I want to do right now is go back to being on the lacrosse field, practicing at 6 a.m. in the freezing cold weather.’ When Coach says, ‘Get on the line,’ I’m grateful to be on the line.”

Hartman’s gratitude isn’t all that’s grown. She has, too. “She truly had to grow up quickly,” her mother said. “She now manages much of her own medical care, communicates directly with doctors, tracks appointments and makes decisions about her body and recovery in a way most teenagers never have to. There were moments where she was forced to process uncertainty, timelines and decisions like an adult. That experience didn’t change who she is, but it deepened her sense of responsibility, self-advocacy and perspective.”

Hartman’s strength has poured out onto the field. In January, she played like she had a fall, free of doctor’s appointments, a cancer diagnosis and missed practice time. She was finally able to play freely. “When she came back, she was hitting the ground rolling,” Harris said. “We put her in, let her get a couple of reps, just to build her back into the play. Then, once she’d shown she could take on more responsibilities, we just put her in bigger situations, and she was able to handle them as well.”

And so, Hartman learned that she’d start on defense for the Runnin’ Bulldogs first game of the season against Austin Peay. She again earned a start at Campbell. “I was proud of myself for coming back in those first few practices of spring and doing well,” Hartman said. “I had worked hard over winter break to build back up to everything. It paid off. When I got to practice, I was doing well. [I started] our first scrimmage and was like, ‘It’s all working out. Everything is going to be OK.’”

Harris sees a bright future for Andrea as a Runnin’ Bulldog. “We’re excited about the way she’s going to grow for this year and years to come,” he said. “In the years to come, she’ll be one of the ones who could teach the freshmen, ‘This is what we do. This is how we go about doing things, and this is the way we play.’”

Hartman has certainly shown she can play through adversity with grace. But the starting spot wasn’t the best news Hartman and her family received recently, nor is it the only reason to believe her future is, in fact, bright. Given her family history and now her own history of cancer, Hartman decided to go for genetic testing to see if she had biomarkers for other cancers.

“She tested negative for every single genetic marker, for every single type of cancer in our family and every single type of cancer that they even have a genetic marker for,” her mother said. “She tested negative.”

Does it mean she’ll never receive another diagnosis? That no one can say. But cancer has less of a fighting chance without the markers. Hartman, on the other hand, has a fighting chance to make a name for herself and help turn around the program at ��.

USA Lacrosse Staff Writer Beth Ann Mayer is a Long Island-based writer. She joined USA Lacrosse in 2022 after freelancing for Inside Lacrosse for five years. She first began covering the game as a student at Syracuse.

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�� Football Announces 2026 Schedule

Office of University Communications — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:49:29 +0000

�� Opens Kris McCullough Era with 12‑Game Schedule Highlighted by Road Tests and Rivalry Matchups

Family Weekend set for Sept. 19; Homecoming and Military Appreciation is Nov. 7

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—First-year head coach Kris McCullough and the �� football team have announced their full schedule for the upcoming 2026 season.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs, coming off a 7-5 overall record and 5-3 mark in OVC/Big South action, will have a 12-game slate that includes seven games within the conference and four home games.

“We are excited for the task of a very challenging schedule,” McCullough said. “Playing two FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) schools and three talented FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) teams in non-conference will get us ready for our OVC/Big South schedule. I can’t wait to get to work this spring while we prepare for a top-25 Austin Peay team on the road in August.”

The FBS represents the highest level of NCAA Division I football. The FCS, which includes Gardner‑Webb, is the next level within Division I. Together, FBS and FCS make up the two subdivisions of NCAA Division I football in the United States.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ first game will be against the Governors of Austin Peay University, an FCS team, on Aug. 29 in Clarksville, Tenn. The next stop on the road trip will be just over state lines as �� heads to nearby Spartanburg, S.C., for a matchup with longtime foe Wofford on Sept. 5. The Terriers and Runnin’ Bulldogs have met 11 times in their history with Wofford holding a 9-2 advantage in the series.

The final stop of the road trip lands the Dawgs in Lynchburg, Va., on Sept. 12 to play the Flames of Liberty University, the first FBS team.

Opening the home portion of its schedule, �� will play host to North Carolina Central on Sept. 19 for Family Weekend. The Runnin’ Bulldogs pulled out a 21-12 win during the last meeting in 2019.

The home stay does not last long as GWU hits the road once again for its next two contests, starting with a showdown on Sept. 26 with the second FBS team, the Thundering Herd of Marshall in Huntington, W.Va. Conference play opens on Oct. 3 at Charleston Southern, which is also the third edition of the North-South BBQ Bowl with the previous two contests being won by ��.

Eastern Illinois visits Spangler Stadium on Oct. 10 for an OVC/Big South bout before �� travels to UT Martin on Oct. 17. Following a bye week, the Runnin’ Bulldogs return to action on Oct. 31 at Southeast Missouri State.

A quick trip back to Boiling Springs on Nov. 7 for Homecoming and a Military Appreciation game has �� pitted against Lindenwood followed by a trek to Macomb, Ill., to face Western Illinois on Nov. 14. The Runnin’ Bulldogs close out the regular season on Nov. 21 after playing host to Tennessee State.

Ticket information will be announced later. For all up-do-date news, events, and schedule changes for �� football, please visit www.gwusports.com or follow the Runnin’ Bulldogs on social media @gwusports.

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�� Baseball Unveils Challenging 2026 Schedule

Office of University Communications — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:41:10 +0000

Runnin’ Bulldogs Set for 56 games, Including Big South Battles and Trips to Oklahoma State and Washington State

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Head Coach Jim Chester and the �� baseball team have announced the 2026 schedule. This year’s slate has 56 games, including 24 games within the Big South Conference.

“The 2026 schedule is as challenging as any in my tenure at ��,” said Chester. “Traditional non-conference opponents like Western Carolina, App State, Wofford, and UNC Charlotte are back this year. The Big South slate will be competitive from top to bottom. Our alumni and fans will be excited about trips to Oklahoma State and Washington State this spring. Opening Day can’t get here soon enough! Sko Dawgs!”

The Runnin’ Bulldogs open the 2026 season playing 11 of its first 12 games within the friendly confines of Bill Masters Field. Valparaiso visits Boiling Springs for a four-game set beginning Feb. 13-15 before a quick trip on Feb. 18 to face South Carolina of the Southeastern Conference.

�� returns home to host Fairleigh Dickinson University for a pair of games on Feb. 20-21 followed by two games against Dartmouth (Feb. 21-22) and a three-game series with Appalachian State (Feb. 27-March 1). Next, the Dawgs head north to Durham, N.C., to take on Duke for a single game on March 3 before making a trip out west to play three games against Oklahoma State (March 6-8). They return to North Carolina to play a single game at Davidson on March 10.

GWU opens league play with three games versus Longwood at home on March 13-15. The remainder of the season follows.

March 17 – 5 p.m. Western Carolina, Cullowhee, N.C.
March 20-22 – Charleston-Southern, Charleston, S.C.
March 24 – 6 p.m., vs. North Carolina A&T, Moss Stadium.
March 27-29 – vs. High Point, Moss Stadium.
March 31 – North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, N.C.
April 2-4 – UNC-Asheville.
April 7 – 6 p.m., vs. Elon, Moss Stadium.
April 9-11 – Washington State, Pullman, Wash.
April 14 – 6 p.m., vs. Queens University, Moss Stadium.
April 17-19 – Radford, Va.
April 21 – 1 p.m., vs. Western Carolina, Moss Stadium.
April 24-26 – vs. Winthrop, Moss Stadium.
May 1-3 – USC Upstate, Spartanburg, S.C.
May 6 – 6 p.m., vs. Wofford, Moss Stadium.
May 8 – 5 p.m., vs. Bradley, Moss Stadium.
May 9 – 11 a.m., vs. Campbell, Moss Stadium.
May 9, 7 p.m., vs. Bradley, Moss Stadium
May 12, 6 p.m., UNC Charlotte.
May 14-16 – vs. Presbyterian, Moss Stadium.

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit gwusports.com, or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Sixth Annual First Pitch

Fans are invited to celebrate the 2026 season at the Sixth Annual First Pitch celebration on Jan. 24. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind items that support your �� Runnin’ Bulldogs. Then at 7 p.m., meet the 2026 roster, coaching staff, and support team as the team kicks off another exciting season of Bulldog baseball! This year’s special guest is Major League All-Star, San Diego Padre, and proud �� alumnus Mason Miller—and in a historic moment, the baseball program will be retiring his jersey, #17, forever etching his legacy in Bulldog history. Get event and game tickets at .

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�� Basketball Season Tickets On Sale Now

Office of University Communications — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:13:08 +0000

Choose �ѱ��’s, �´ǳ��’s, or Combo Package for an Action-Packed Season at Paul Porter Arena

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Season tickets for the upcoming �� basketball season at Paul Porter Arena are now available for purchase. In addition to purchasing separate men’s and women’s season tickets, a new Super Season Ticket combo option will allow for one ticket to all 26 home men’s and women’s basketball games for the 2025-26 season.

Brendan Fahey

Members of the Bulldog Club have priority access and receive discounts on all season ticket packages. Join the Bulldog Club or call William Glover at 704-406-4630.

“Runnin Bulldogs nation make sure you secure your tickets now for what promises to be an exciting season!” emphasized Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director, Brendan Fahey. “We look forward to enhancing the game day atmosphere and creating a strong home court advantage for teams. I can’t wait to see you at Paul Porter arena soon. Thank you for your support and ‘Sko Dawgs.”

The �� men will play 13 home games this season, starting with the home-opener on Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. versus North Greenville. The women’s team will also play 13 home games with the opener coming on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. against Hampton.

For ticketing information, please contact Michael Covil, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications, at 704-406-2026 or mcovil@gardner-webb.edu.

A complete list of season ticket options and the home schedules are below.

Season Tickets

Men’s season tickets – $130 (40% savings)
Women’s Season Tickets – $130 (40% savings)
Super Season Ticket – $200 (one ticket to all home MBB and WBB games)

Single Game Costs

General Admission Adult – $15
General Admission Child (10 and under) – $7
Reserved Seating – $20

Dynamic Game Single Game Pricing (High Point, UNC Asheville, and Winthrop)

General Admission – $25
Reserved Seating – $30

Home Games

�ѱ��’s

Nov. 10 – 7 p.m. vs. North Greenville
Dec. 6 – 2 p.m. vs. Georgia Southern
Dec. 12 – 7 p.m. vs. Brevard
Dec. 15 – 7 p.m. vs. Wofford
Dec. 18 – 7 p.m. vs. Toccoa Falls, education day game
Dec. 31 – 2 p.m. vs. Charleston Southern
Jan. 14 – 7 p.m. vs. Radford
Jan. 17 – 2 p.m. vs. Presbyterian
Jan. 24 – 2 p.m. vs. USC-Upstate
Feb. 4 – 7 p.m. vs. Longwood
Feb. 12 – 7 p.m. vs. Winthrop
Feb. 14 – 2 p.m. vs. High Point
Feb. 26 – 7 p.m. vs. UNC-Asheville

�´ǳ��’s

Nov. 16 – 2 p.m. vs. Hampton
Nov. 19 – 7 p.m. vs. UNC-Wilmington
Dec. 1 – 7 p.m. vs. Appalachian State
Dec. 4 – 7 p.m. vs. Wofford
Dec. 13 – 2 p.m. vs. Western Carolina
Jan. 7 – 7 p.m. vs. UNC-Asheville
Jan. 10 – 2 p.m. vs. USC-Upstate
Jan. 21 – 7 p.m. vs. Presbyterian
Jan. 28 – 7 p.m. vs. Longwood
Feb. 7 – 2 p.m. vs. Winthrop
Feb. 11 – 2 p.m. vs. Presbyterian
Feb. 21 – 2 p.m. vs. High Point
Feb. 28 – 2 p.m. vs. Radford

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit , or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

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Big South Conference Archives - ������

������ Student-Athlete Pursues ‘Everlasting Goals’ Through Global Learning and Healthcare Leadership