Oct. 10, 2008

Wingate, N.C. - Four new members will be added to an impressive list during the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Friday evening, October 10, 2008, with former Shorter College basketball coach Bill Foster making the list.

Foster (who graduated from Wingate in 1956) played basketball two seasons for head coaching icon Reid Lowder at Wingate. A member of multiple Sports Halls of Fame, Foster was the head men's basketball at Shorter (Ga.), UNC Charlotte, Clemson, Miami and Virginia Tech during a very successful coaching career.

At Shorter, Foster's teams posted 110 wins against only 33 losses in five seasons and he built a strong foundation for Shorter Athletics in the early 60s. He went on to national prominence as a head coach in the NCAA, coaching Clemson and Virginia Tech to the NCAA Tournament, and winning the NIT with Virginia Tech in 1995. He was an assistant coach for the USA basketball team at the 1994 Goodwill Games.

Eleven of Foster's players enjoyed distinguished NBA careers, including Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell, the MVP of the 1981 NBA play-offs. Foster won 532 basketball games during an illustrious coaching career. He began the basketball program for the Charlotte 49ers, and Foster still holds the Clemson record for career winning percentage.

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,300 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, international study, faith development, career discovery and community service.