Gardner-Webb University Athletics

Jesse James was the lone inductee for the 2023 Gardner-Webb Hall of Fame class. The former GWU quarterback suited up for the Runnin' Bulldogs from 1985-1987. In his final season in Boiling Springs, James guided Gardner-Webb to an 11-2 record and a SAC-8 Championship. Gardner-Webb also won its first-ever NAIA Playoff game, defeating Moorhead State 27-7. James earned first-team all-conference honors that season, and passed for 3,833 career yards and 28 touchdowns in three seasons in the red and black.