Rocky Mount, NC - North Carolina Wesleyan University will celebrate its 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Garner Lobby inside the Dunn Center.
This year's class features six inductees spanning multiple eras and sports: baseball standouts Gary Appleton and Matt Smith, beloved staff member Earl Harper, football alumni Dwayne Hollis and Bo Jordan, and men's basketball star Marvin Macklin.
Appleton, one of the program's top pitchers during its dominant run in the late 1980s, anchored the bullpen with 14 saves in 1987, a mark that still shares the single-season record. He finished with 20 career saves, ranking among the best in school history, while also posting a 2.36 career ERA, which remains one of the lowest in Bishop history. Appleton was named team MVP in both 1986 and 1987, helping the Bishops reach the Division III World Series in 1987 where they finished third nationally with a 46-9 record.
Harper, remembered as one of the kindest and most genuine members of the campus community, served Wesleyan faithfully for many years as a janitor. Known for his warm smile and uplifting spirit, he touched the lives of students, faculty, and staff alike. His legacy continues through an endowment established in his name, reflecting the deep impact he made on the Wesleyan family.
Hollis, a defensive back for the Bishops from 2009 to 2012, earned AFCA All-American honors in 2012 and was a three-time First Team All-USA South selection at both defensive back and kick returner. He went on to a decorated professional career across the AFL, CAFL, and AAF, highlighted by championships with the Philadelphia Soul and being named the AFL's Defensive Back of the Year in 2017. Hollis has continued his playing career in 2025 with the Outlaws Arena Football Team.
Jordan, the 2009 USA South Offensive Player of the Year, led one of the most explosive offenses in program history as the Bishops' quarterback. He finished his career ranked among the all-time leaders in multiple categories, including 5,279 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, 471 completions, and 846 attempts. His 2009 season included more than 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns, one of the top single-year efforts in program history. Jordan's play helped Wesleyan secure USA South titles during the late 2000s and contributed to the program's historic 2007 NCAA playoff victory at Washington & Jefferson.
Macklin became a household name for Bishop basketball during his career, earning All-Conference recognition and leaving his mark in the record book. He closed his career with more than 1,200 points, ranking among the all-time scoring leaders, while also finishing in the top 10 for rebounds and field goals made. Macklin's ability to score and rebound consistently made him a force on the hardwood and a respected leader in the program.
Smith, one of the greatest hitters in Bishop baseball history, held the program's all-time hits record (271) until it was broken earlier this year by
Jackson Hobbs. Smith's .391 career batting average ranks fourth in school history, while his 94 hits in 1998 still stand as the second-most in a single season. He also ranks among the top five in career doubles and RBI. A two-time All-American in 2007 and 2008, Smith established himself as one of the premier hitters in Division III and played a vital role in Wesleyan's sustained national presence.
The Hall of Fame ceremony is open to alumni, friends, and supporters of Wesleyan Athletics. Additional event details, including RSVP and ticket information, will be available at ncwsports.com and through the department's official social media channels.
