Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame
A versatile talent during the late 1950s at Gardner-Webb, Bill Nix was a busy man on the football field for legendary head coach Norman Harris. Nix played fullback on offense, kicked extra points and played safety on defense in 1958 and 1959. He was named junior college All-America as a sophomore 1959 and was a team co-captain for the Bulldogs during that 4-2-1 season. He also played for Coach Harris on the baseball squad as a freshman and sophomore. Following his time in Boiling Springs, Nix played fullback at the University of Richmond. Nix embarked on a successful career as an insurance adjuster and cemented a legacy of heroism with a selfless act on July 18, 1970. Nix swam into strong currents to save the life of an 11-year old swimmer at Sullivan’s Island, S.C., and gave his life in an attempt to save another young swimmer who had been carried out to sea. The 32-year old Nix was awarded a prestigious Carnegie Medal, given by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission to individuals for extraordinary acts of civilian heroism.
