Basketball alumni return to SWU
Members of SWU’s top 30 basketball alumni took to mid-court at halftime of the Belmont Abbey game, where they were reunited with longtime Head Basketball Coach Charles Wimphrie (third from right) and were honored by the fans Jan. 31 at Tysinger Gymnasium on the Central campus.
A group of Southern Wesleyan University’s top basketball alumni were welcomed back to the Central campus Jan. 31, where they were recognized for their contributions as Warriors and were reunited with longtime Head Basketball Coach Charles Wimphrie.
Wimphrie has coached more than 300 athletes and won over 350 games during his career as head coach at SWU. These players represented the top 30 athletes to play for Wimphrie during his 22-years as head basketball coach for the Warriors. Wimphrie credited the players with demonstrating leadership ability, as well as their commitment to excellence and dedication to hard work on the court and in the classroom.
During a luncheon organized in their honor, Wimphrie, along with Southern Wesleyan’s President Todd Voss, presented each player with an award commending their contributions to the men’s basketball program.
“Your efforts didn’t go unnoticed and this is why you are being honored today,” Wimphrie said.
Recognized were Brandon Allen, Curtis Anderson-Kowszik, Anton Booker, Deonta Brinston, William Buggs, Clark Camp, Mikey Corpening, Nick Crowder, James Dawson, Darryl Edwards, Shannon Gilliard, Anthony Harrell, Jermaine Harris, Duane Jones, Nick Lagroone, Nikola Lambic, Lavern Latimore, Duane Lewis, Broderick Marshall, Dealto Marshall, Josh Mills, Gregg Norman, Justin Petersen, Marlon Pruitt, Ran Rapley, Titus Shelton, Tim Shively, Demetrick Tensley, Joshua Walker and Damel Wilson.
Also during the luncheon, Lisa McWherter, vice president for advancement, and Tony Payne, associate vice president for development, spoke of the importance of leaving a legacy. Chris Williams, director of athletics, gave an update on the university’s progress as they move forward in the membership process for NCAA Division II.
Later that afternoon, the basketball alumni took to midcourt at halftime of the Belmont Abbey game, where they were honored by the fans.
Wimphrie said he was “overwhelmed” with the turnout for the event.
“To see these young men as husbands, fathers and providers made me reminisce on the time when they were students seeking to find direction in life. To see them grow from young adults to responsible men leading their families was very touching. The opportunity to play at a Christian college was a blessing for me,” Wimphrie said, adding that basketball provided for him a way to instill basic principles needed to grow closer to God, then to pass along those same qualities to the young men under his guidance.
“I am very proud of every player I have coached, however, the ‘Top 30’ is a special group that stood out during their time as student athletes and now as productive Christian men,” he said.
The event was organized by the university’s office of advancement, along with the Southern Wesleyan University Alumni Association and the athletics department.
For details about leaving a legacy through a gift to benefit future generations of student-athletes, contact McWherter at (864) 644-5013 or email .
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.