Wingate’s Bill Nash Named Athletic Foundation Director And Assistant Athletic Director

Wingate, N.C.-- Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston and vice-president for resource development Vint Tilson announce the appointment of Bill Nash as Director of the Wingate University Athletic Foundation and assistant athletic director. Nash will begin his new duties June 1. A search for a new head baseball coach will begin immediately.

"Bill Nash loves Wingate University," Poston said. "His knowledge of our constituents will be a tremendous advantage as he embarks upon this new endeavor."

The position (Director of the Wingate University Athletic Foundation) has the primary responsibility for providing strategic leadership to the fundraising and promotional activities of the Athletic Foundation, to advance the University's intercollegiate athletics program.

Nash will be charged with developing and implementing fundraising strategies to provide facility improvements, scholarship endowment and increased operating budgets. His efforts will support 400-plus Bulldog student-athletes who compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate won the 2007 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award for the first time this spring.

"I am pleased and excited that Bill Nash has agreed to accept this position as the University enters a critical time in its history," Poston added. "This new position is crucial for the future of Wingate University athletics."

In addition, Nash will oversee the Bulldog Club and assist in staffing its Board of Directors. The Director of the Wingate University Athletic Foundation will also coordinate all activities related to the University's Sports Hall of Fame. Nash has served as chairman of the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame committee for several years.

As the Director of the Wingate University Athletic Foundation, Nash will integrate fundraising activities with promotional and marketing efforts that support the University's athletic teams. Through his close connections with both former and current student-athletes, Nash will be responsible for developing and implementing a plan to engage and network athletic alumni.

Nash was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director during the fall of 2006. Nash's previous assistant athletic director duties focused on the academic success of Wingate's student-athletes.

Nash served as head baseball coach at Wingate University for 14 seasons. During his tenure, Nash posted a career record of 403-338-2. The Bulldogs won four South Atlantic Conference regular season titles and four Food Lion SAC tournament titles during Nash's tenure. Wingate's four tournament crowns are the most of any SAC school.

In addition, his Wingate teams advanced to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships following the 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2001 seasons. In the 1994 and 1995 seasons, Wingate advanced to the championship game of the regional tournament.

In 1995, Nash was named the South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year for leading the Bulldogs to a 46-10 record. At the time, the 46 wins were a SAC record. Also, Wingate was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NCAA Division II poll on April 3, 1995. Nash was named the North Carolina Collegiate Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1995.

In his 14 seasons, Nash recorded 175 SAC wins, the most in SAC history. Also, his 403 overall victories top the SAC charts.

After earning his AA degree from Wingate, Nash went on to Wake Forest University where he earned his BA degree in Business. He also earned an MHDL from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Following his graduation from Wake Forest, Nash got a job as the baseball and basketball coach at a private school in Wadesboro, N.C., where he served for the next three years.

In 1980, then-Wingate baseball coach Ron Christopher hired Nash for the position as assistant baseball coach. During Nash's 11 years as an assistant coach at Wingate, the Bulldogs posted a 259-193 record and made eight NAIA District 26 playoff appearances. After Dr. Christopher retired following the 1993 season, Nash was named the head coach.

Bill Nash is the proud parent of one daughter, Niki, and two sons, Lucas and David.