Behind A Bulldog Wingate Athletics

Sam Hyman welcomes the first ever Wingate Women's Triathlon Head Coach, Nick Radkewich, to the show! Wingate Athletics announced its 23rd intercollegiate sport, women's triathlon, back in June of 2020 and Coach Radkewich was hired in October. In this episode, Nick spoke about how he plans to build the foundation of this team before competition in fall 2021. He also touched on the first two student-athletes he signed to the program.



Additionally, Nick discussed the intricacies of what it takes to be successful in this sport and also explained some of his favorite memories as a triathlete, which included a spot to compete for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Triathlon team.

Former Wingate volleyball standout Cory McGowan ('14) was recently named the 2020 AVCA Diversity Award winner! Recipients will be integrated into the AVCA Diversity Award winner alumni program that consists of continuing education, relationship building, and mentoring upon completion of the initial programming.



In this episode, Sam Hyman spoke to Cory about her childhood and how she juggled multiple sports at a young age while being the only African American woman in most of them. McGowan also elaborated on her volleyball career at Wingate and coaching journey.

Dr. Laura Watterson (Class of '07) is the owner of Charlotte Sports Performance & Rehab which was founded in 2014. She became the first Wingate NCAA swimming All-American as she earned honorable mention in the 200 breaststroke in 2004. Laura was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. In this episode, we talk about her memories from Wingate, her daily responsibilities as the owner of Charlotte Sports Performance & Rehab, and much more!

Mike Martin won 2,029 games as the Head Baseball Coach at Florida State over the course of 40 years. Mike started as an assistant for the program for five years. His journey started all the way back at Wingate in 1963 where he played basketball and baseball. He spent two years at Wingate before transferring to FSU. In this episode, Sam Hyman spoke to Mike about his memories at Wingate and how the school played such an integral part in his move to FSU. Mike also expressed his gratitude towards several people in this episode including Ron Christopher, who was Wingate's head baseball coach while he was on the team in the early 1960s. Currently, the Wingate baseball program plays at "Ron Christopher Stadium".

Originally from Rock Hill, SC, Sean Barnette (Class of '08) is one of the best to ever come through the men's basketball program at Wingate University. His 2,324 career points rank second all time in South Atlantic Conference history. Barnette was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. In this episode, Sam Hyman spoke to Sean about his incredible experience at Wingate, his professional career which includes several places oversees, and why Kobe Bryant has inspired him.

Originally from Monroe, NC, Jade is one of the most decorated student-athletes to come through the Wingate Women's Soccer program. Among many accolades, she was a 3x All-American, led the Bulldogs to three SAC Tournament Titles, and a part of a team that advanced all the way to the National Quarterfinals in 2013. In this episode, we check in on what Jade is up to these days, reflect on her time at Wingate, and congratulate her on recently getting married to a fellow former Bulldog (Cornel Cheron).