Gardner-Webb Adds Four Standouts To Athletics Hall of Fame
October 06, 2017 | Football, General, Swimming, Wrestling
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb University inducted four new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame Friday, an accomplished quartet from the sports of football, swimming and wrestling.
Friday's ceremony was held in Tucker Student Center following a reception in the same facility. The class will also be honored prior to Saturday's football game vs. Shorter (Ga.). Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm (Big South Network).
The 2017 Hall of Fame Class is a strong one, with James Short (wrestling), Jim Washburn (football), Mario Williams (football) and Terra Wilson (women's swimming) joining an illustrious group that began with the first induction ceremony in 1991.
James Short | Wrestling | Hendersonville, N.C.
The first Gardner-Webb wrestler to be inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame, Short finished his career in Boiling Springs as the most accomplished performer in his sport. Short won a combined 54 matches over a two-season span in 1997 and 1998, twice qualifying for a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships. Short posted a 27-7 mark in 1997 along with 57 takedowns to earn his first berth to the national championships at 190 pounds. He finished eighth in Fargo, N.D., to earn NCAA Division II All-America honors. Short followed with 27 more wins in 1998, qualifying again for the national championships. He helped Gardner-Webb to a No. 26 team finish nationally that season. Short was one of the most decorated wrestlers in Western North Carolina as a high schooler, earning state Wrestler of the Year honors in 1994. He was also Junior National Greco Roman Champion in 1994. After completing his career at Gardner-Webb, Short continued to wrestle competitively, becoming the first Gardner-Webb student-athlete to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000.
Jim Washburn | Football | Shelby, N.C.
Former offensive tackle Washburn developed a reputation as one of the Gardner-Webb football program's stalwarts during his time in Boiling Springs, starring on the line in both the junior college and senior college eras. He started his career under legendary head coach Norman Harris, helping the Bulldogs to a 6-2-2 mark in 1968. Washburn was a letterwinner all four seasons at Gardner-Webb and embarked upon an ultra successful coaching career after his playing days were complete. Washburn coached at the highest levels of Division I football, but made his most significant impact as one of the game's most well respected defensive line coaches in the NFL. The Shelby, N.C., native coached 18 total seasons in the NFL, working with the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. He was named Defensive Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly in 2000 and was chosen by Sports Illustrated scribe Peter King as Assistant Coach of the Year in 2008. Washburn saw seven of his linemen earn Pro Bowl honors during his career, with that group accounting for 15 total Pro Bowl selections.
Mario Williams | Football | Ninety Six, S.C.
One of the most heralded safeties to play in Spangler Stadium, Williams' Hall of Fame career was one for the record books. A former prep quarterback, Williams earned his reputation as a hard-hitting safety very early in Boiling Springs. He emerged as a star in 2002, earning Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and Division I-AA All-America honors after leading Gardner-Webb to a 9-1 record and a final top-20 national ranking. Williams followed that campaign up with a better one, repeating as Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earning another round of Division I-AA All-America accolades. His senior season was cut short by injury, but Williams still earned All-Big South Conference honors for the third consecutive season. When he was finished, Williams totaled 326 career tackles – which remains the top total in program history for a defensive back. He also broke up 35 passes – including a career-high 15 in 2003 – which is the top career mark in Gardner-Webb history. Williams went on to enjoy a successful professional career in Germany, beginning in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Terra Wilson | Women's Swimming | Potter Valley, Calif.
Former standout swimmer Wilson finished her career at Gardner-Webb as one of the most successful student-athletes in program history – regardless of sport. She was named Northeast Conference (NEC) Most Outstanding Swimmer three times and won a combined 22 conference titles in her four seasons in the pool. In addition to her individual success, Wilson sparked Gardner-Webb to four NEC team championships in four seasons. In 2006, Wilson earned NCAA Division I honorable mention All-America honors after qualifying for nationals as a junior in the 200m free. She returned to the NCAA Division I National Championships in 2007, finishing sixth in the 200m free to earn Division I All-America honors. Wilson also earned honorable mention All-America honors in the 100m free that season. She went on to success after her Gardner-Webb career was complete, becoming the first swimmer in school history to compete at U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008.
Friday's ceremony was held in Tucker Student Center following a reception in the same facility. The class will also be honored prior to Saturday's football game vs. Shorter (Ga.). Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm (Big South Network).
The 2017 Hall of Fame Class is a strong one, with James Short (wrestling), Jim Washburn (football), Mario Williams (football) and Terra Wilson (women's swimming) joining an illustrious group that began with the first induction ceremony in 1991.
James Short | Wrestling | Hendersonville, N.C.
The first Gardner-Webb wrestler to be inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame, Short finished his career in Boiling Springs as the most accomplished performer in his sport. Short won a combined 54 matches over a two-season span in 1997 and 1998, twice qualifying for a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships. Short posted a 27-7 mark in 1997 along with 57 takedowns to earn his first berth to the national championships at 190 pounds. He finished eighth in Fargo, N.D., to earn NCAA Division II All-America honors. Short followed with 27 more wins in 1998, qualifying again for the national championships. He helped Gardner-Webb to a No. 26 team finish nationally that season. Short was one of the most decorated wrestlers in Western North Carolina as a high schooler, earning state Wrestler of the Year honors in 1994. He was also Junior National Greco Roman Champion in 1994. After completing his career at Gardner-Webb, Short continued to wrestle competitively, becoming the first Gardner-Webb student-athlete to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000.
Jim Washburn | Football | Shelby, N.C.
Former offensive tackle Washburn developed a reputation as one of the Gardner-Webb football program's stalwarts during his time in Boiling Springs, starring on the line in both the junior college and senior college eras. He started his career under legendary head coach Norman Harris, helping the Bulldogs to a 6-2-2 mark in 1968. Washburn was a letterwinner all four seasons at Gardner-Webb and embarked upon an ultra successful coaching career after his playing days were complete. Washburn coached at the highest levels of Division I football, but made his most significant impact as one of the game's most well respected defensive line coaches in the NFL. The Shelby, N.C., native coached 18 total seasons in the NFL, working with the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. He was named Defensive Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly in 2000 and was chosen by Sports Illustrated scribe Peter King as Assistant Coach of the Year in 2008. Washburn saw seven of his linemen earn Pro Bowl honors during his career, with that group accounting for 15 total Pro Bowl selections.
Mario Williams | Football | Ninety Six, S.C.
One of the most heralded safeties to play in Spangler Stadium, Williams' Hall of Fame career was one for the record books. A former prep quarterback, Williams earned his reputation as a hard-hitting safety very early in Boiling Springs. He emerged as a star in 2002, earning Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and Division I-AA All-America honors after leading Gardner-Webb to a 9-1 record and a final top-20 national ranking. Williams followed that campaign up with a better one, repeating as Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earning another round of Division I-AA All-America accolades. His senior season was cut short by injury, but Williams still earned All-Big South Conference honors for the third consecutive season. When he was finished, Williams totaled 326 career tackles – which remains the top total in program history for a defensive back. He also broke up 35 passes – including a career-high 15 in 2003 – which is the top career mark in Gardner-Webb history. Williams went on to enjoy a successful professional career in Germany, beginning in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Terra Wilson | Women's Swimming | Potter Valley, Calif.
Former standout swimmer Wilson finished her career at Gardner-Webb as one of the most successful student-athletes in program history – regardless of sport. She was named Northeast Conference (NEC) Most Outstanding Swimmer three times and won a combined 22 conference titles in her four seasons in the pool. In addition to her individual success, Wilson sparked Gardner-Webb to four NEC team championships in four seasons. In 2006, Wilson earned NCAA Division I honorable mention All-America honors after qualifying for nationals as a junior in the 200m free. She returned to the NCAA Division I National Championships in 2007, finishing sixth in the 200m free to earn Division I All-America honors. Wilson also earned honorable mention All-America honors in the 100m free that season. She went on to success after her Gardner-Webb career was complete, becoming the first swimmer in school history to compete at U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008.
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