Four Inductees Named to Coastal Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame

Amber Campbell, Steven Carter, Joseph Ngwenya and Dr. Richard Ward were inducted in a ceremony Friday night.

Three former Coastal Carolina University student-athletes and the Chanticleers' long-time team physician are the 2009 inductees into the George F.

Oct. 10, 2009

Three former Coastal Carolina University student-athletes and the Chanticleers' long-time team physician are the 2009 inductees into the George F. "Buddy" Sasser Athletic Hall of Fame. Amber Campbell, STEVEN CARTER, JOE NGWENYA and DR. RICHARD WARD were inducted during a ceremony Friday, October 9.

Campbell's storied career reached a pinnacle in 2008 when she became the Chanticleers' first Olympian by qualifying in the hammer throw for the games in Beijing, China. During her four-year career from 2001-2004 at Coastal, Campbell earned All-American honors five times, was twice named the Big South Female Athlete-of-the-Year, and was a 16-time Big South champion in the weight throw, hammer throw, shot put and discus. A native of Indianapolis, Campbell finished her career as the American Collegiate Record-holder in the weight and hammer throws.

Carter reshaped the baseball pitching record book during his four-year career from 2001-2004 and still holds Big South and Coastal Carolina records for wins (42); games started (68); and innings pitched (450.1). A native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Carter was a three-time All Big South Conference selection and twice earned the Big South Tournament MVP award (2003 and 2004). He led the Chanticleers to four straight NCAA Regional Appearances and started the Athens, Ga., Regional Championship game as a freshman. Carter is the only Chanticleer pitcher to compile a career combination of 40 wins, 350 strikeouts and 400 innings pitched. Carter was drafted in round 26 of the Major League Baseball Draft in 2004 by the Oakland Athletics.

Ngwenya produced one of the most prodigious careers in the history of the Chanticleer men's soccer program, culminating in his being named the National Player-of-the-Year in 2003 by Soccer Times and Soccer America magazines. That same year, Ngwenya led the Chanticleers to the NCAA Tournament "Sweet Sixteen" before falling to eventual Final Four participant Santa Clara. Ngwenya garnered All American status twice and was also honored as a CoSiDA Academic All American. He was the Big South's Male Athlete-of-the-Year in 2003, which covered all Big South sports, and in 2002 he led the nation in goals scored. Following Coastal, Ngwenya became, and remains, the Big South's highest ever draft pick by a professional sport when he was selected as the third overall pick in the 2004 MLS Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy. That selection signaled an impressive professional career which has seen Ngwenya play for three MLS franchises (L.A., Houston and Columbus) and international clubs. He was a key member of the 2007 Houston Dynamo's MLS Cup championship team and currently plays for the Antalyaspor FC in Turkey.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Richard "Dick" Ward has provided sports medicine and orthopedic services for Chanticleer student-athletes. One of the few Coastal Carolina figures to have seen the growth of the athletic program from NAIA status to a preeminent NCAA Division I program, Ward has devoted countless personal time and resources to improving the medical and training environment of Chanticleer athletes. A former football letterman at West Virginia University from 1967-1971, Ward earned his medical degree from the West Virginia University Medical School in 1975. He served as a resident in orthopedic surgery at WVU from 1976-1979 and then earned a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Ohio State University from 1979-1980. He began his long association with Coastal Carolina University 1981. Ward's advocacy has been instrumental in the acquiring of sports medicine equipment including field vehicles, med-beds and diagnostics along with addressing crucial staffing needs. His expertise and support led to the establishment of full-time athletic trainers and sports medicine staff at many Horry County high schools.

The Hall of Fame Class will be publicly recognized during at halftime of tonight's Chanticleer football game versus VMI.

The Hall of Fame was commissioned in 1991 and became the Sasser Hall of Fame in 2003 in honor of former athletic director and Horry County sports legend George F. "Buddy" Sasser. To earn election, prospective candidates are nominated, reviewed and voted upon by an 11-member committee. Committee members are appointed by Coastal Carolina University's Department of Athletics.

For more information, contact Matt Hogue, 843-349-2809.