Gardner-Webb Welcomes 2018 Athletics Hall of Fame Class Friday Night
October 12, 2018 | Football, General, Men's Basketball, Swimming, Track & Field
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb University will welcome three new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame Friday evening, along with honoring its 2018 Meritorious Service Award recipient.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2018 includes Thomas Sanders (Men's Basketball, 2006-2008), Taylor Simpson Jackson (Women's Swimming, 2002-2006) and Jerry Walker (Football, Men's Basketball, Track, 1959-1961). Gardner-Webb's 2018 Meritorious Service Award recipient is longtime Shelby Star sports editor Alan Ford.
The quartet of honorees will be honored Friday evening at a special ceremony in Tucker Student Center. The group will also be recognized prior to Saturday's kickoff vs. No. 2 Kennesaw State (1:30 pm / ESPN3).
Bios on all four honorees is listed below:
Thomas Sanders * Men's Basketball * 2006-2008 * Sugarland, Texas
Dynamic forward Thomas Sanders provided plenty of highlights during two seasons with the Runnin' Bulldogs basketball squad, earning 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors following his senior campaign. Sanders was an Associated Press honorable mention All-America selection that season and remains Gardner-Webb's lone Division I All-American in the sport of men's basketball. Sanders ranked third nationally in Division I in 2008 with 20 double-doubles and finished with averages of 18.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. In addition to his exploits on the court, Sanders was solid in the classroom, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District III honors in 2008. Those were far from his only bright spots as a senior, as he led Gardner-Webb to a nationally televised upset at No. 20 Kentucky that garnered significant acclaim for the school. Sanders netted an impressive 910 career points and 555 rebounds, proving to be one of the most effective rebounders from the wing in program history. Following graduation, Sanders embarked on a successful professional career overseas.
Taylor Simpson Jackson * Women's Swimming * 2002-2006 * Boiling Springs, N.C.
One of the most decorated swimmers in program history, Taylor Simpson Jackson was as impactful in the classroom as she was in the pool. From 2002-2006, Simpson Jackson won 12 individual NEC and Southern States Conference titles, set three Gardner-Webb records and posted an NCAA "B" qualifying time in the 400 IM. Her contributions helped GWU post three consecutive conference championships in the NEC (2004-2006) and rise to as high as No. 15 in the national mid-major rankings. In the classroom, Simpson Jackson was just as impressive, earning CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America First Team honors in both 2005 and 2006. She was a two-time NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2005, 2006) and earned the Gardner-Webb University President's Senior Athletic Program Achievement Award in 2006. She also earned the GWU Senior Scholastic Award with a 4.0 GPA and remains one of the pioneers of Gardner-Webb's success in the sport of swimming.
Jerry Walker * Football, Men's Basketball, Track * 1959-1961 * Lenoir, N.C.
A tremendous all-around contributor on Gardner-Webb's campus during the junior college era, Jerry Walker earned six letters in only two years in Boiling Springs. The three-sport standout was part of Gardner-Webb football, basketball and track teams from 1959-1961, playing tight end and receiver (football), forward and center (basketball) and running the 100, 220, 440 and 4x440 relay (track). Walker earned All-Conference honors at end on the gridiron in 1960 and was an honorable mention All-America choice at the same position. Walker capped his career at Gardner-Webb in style, running the anchor leg on a 4x440 relay team that went undefeated in 1961. Walker's impact on campus wasn't limited to athletics, as the Dean's List student served as president of the Student Government and Monogram Club in addition to numerous superlatives. Walker returned to Gardner-Webb as Director of Alumni Relations in the 1970s and has served in a prominent role on the alumni board in recent years. He was selected to the Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2008.
2018 MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
Alan Ford * Sports Writer * 1979-2018 * Concord, N.C.
Legendary sports writer and editor Alan Ford left a lasting mark on Gardner-Webb athletics during his time in Cleveland County, working for the Shelby Star from 1979 until his recent retirement in 2018. The Concord, N.C., native brought some of the most memorable events in Gardner-Webb's athletics history to his readers in a fair and professional manner. From football's South Atlantic Conference championship runs in 1987 and 1992 to Big South Conference title marches in 2002 and 2003. From the first seasons in a brand new Paul Porter Arena to an Atlantic Sun Conference regular season men's basketball championship in 2005 and a 2011 women's basketball NCAA Tournament run. Ford's attention to detail, natural storytelling ability and genuine care for those in an around the athletics program at Gardner-Webb showed each and every day during his 39 years at The Star. Gardner-Webb University is honored to present Ford with the 2018 Meritorious Service Award as part of the annual Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2018 includes Thomas Sanders (Men's Basketball, 2006-2008), Taylor Simpson Jackson (Women's Swimming, 2002-2006) and Jerry Walker (Football, Men's Basketball, Track, 1959-1961). Gardner-Webb's 2018 Meritorious Service Award recipient is longtime Shelby Star sports editor Alan Ford.
The quartet of honorees will be honored Friday evening at a special ceremony in Tucker Student Center. The group will also be recognized prior to Saturday's kickoff vs. No. 2 Kennesaw State (1:30 pm / ESPN3).
Bios on all four honorees is listed below:
Thomas Sanders * Men's Basketball * 2006-2008 * Sugarland, Texas
Dynamic forward Thomas Sanders provided plenty of highlights during two seasons with the Runnin' Bulldogs basketball squad, earning 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors following his senior campaign. Sanders was an Associated Press honorable mention All-America selection that season and remains Gardner-Webb's lone Division I All-American in the sport of men's basketball. Sanders ranked third nationally in Division I in 2008 with 20 double-doubles and finished with averages of 18.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. In addition to his exploits on the court, Sanders was solid in the classroom, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District III honors in 2008. Those were far from his only bright spots as a senior, as he led Gardner-Webb to a nationally televised upset at No. 20 Kentucky that garnered significant acclaim for the school. Sanders netted an impressive 910 career points and 555 rebounds, proving to be one of the most effective rebounders from the wing in program history. Following graduation, Sanders embarked on a successful professional career overseas.
Taylor Simpson Jackson * Women's Swimming * 2002-2006 * Boiling Springs, N.C.
One of the most decorated swimmers in program history, Taylor Simpson Jackson was as impactful in the classroom as she was in the pool. From 2002-2006, Simpson Jackson won 12 individual NEC and Southern States Conference titles, set three Gardner-Webb records and posted an NCAA "B" qualifying time in the 400 IM. Her contributions helped GWU post three consecutive conference championships in the NEC (2004-2006) and rise to as high as No. 15 in the national mid-major rankings. In the classroom, Simpson Jackson was just as impressive, earning CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America First Team honors in both 2005 and 2006. She was a two-time NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2005, 2006) and earned the Gardner-Webb University President's Senior Athletic Program Achievement Award in 2006. She also earned the GWU Senior Scholastic Award with a 4.0 GPA and remains one of the pioneers of Gardner-Webb's success in the sport of swimming.
Jerry Walker * Football, Men's Basketball, Track * 1959-1961 * Lenoir, N.C.
A tremendous all-around contributor on Gardner-Webb's campus during the junior college era, Jerry Walker earned six letters in only two years in Boiling Springs. The three-sport standout was part of Gardner-Webb football, basketball and track teams from 1959-1961, playing tight end and receiver (football), forward and center (basketball) and running the 100, 220, 440 and 4x440 relay (track). Walker earned All-Conference honors at end on the gridiron in 1960 and was an honorable mention All-America choice at the same position. Walker capped his career at Gardner-Webb in style, running the anchor leg on a 4x440 relay team that went undefeated in 1961. Walker's impact on campus wasn't limited to athletics, as the Dean's List student served as president of the Student Government and Monogram Club in addition to numerous superlatives. Walker returned to Gardner-Webb as Director of Alumni Relations in the 1970s and has served in a prominent role on the alumni board in recent years. He was selected to the Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2008.
2018 MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
Alan Ford * Sports Writer * 1979-2018 * Concord, N.C.
Legendary sports writer and editor Alan Ford left a lasting mark on Gardner-Webb athletics during his time in Cleveland County, working for the Shelby Star from 1979 until his recent retirement in 2018. The Concord, N.C., native brought some of the most memorable events in Gardner-Webb's athletics history to his readers in a fair and professional manner. From football's South Atlantic Conference championship runs in 1987 and 1992 to Big South Conference title marches in 2002 and 2003. From the first seasons in a brand new Paul Porter Arena to an Atlantic Sun Conference regular season men's basketball championship in 2005 and a 2011 women's basketball NCAA Tournament run. Ford's attention to detail, natural storytelling ability and genuine care for those in an around the athletics program at Gardner-Webb showed each and every day during his 39 years at The Star. Gardner-Webb University is honored to present Ford with the 2018 Meritorious Service Award as part of the annual Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony.
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