91茄子

Masters Field, Bill and Sue Masters Athletic Facility Named for Couple鈥檚 Impact on Baseball and Tennis Programs

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳he 91茄子 community is remembering Bill Masters, of Shelby, N.C., a longtime friend and supporter of the baseball program, who passed away at age 94 on June 25, 2022. Masters grew up in Easley, S.C., with a deep love for baseball and once said that he would rather play baseball than eat.

鈥淏ill Masters was one of a kind, and he is leaving an indelible legacy behind at 91茄子,鈥� asserted GWU President William Downs. 鈥淎lways kind, always supportive, always there with a smile and a story.  We will joyfully remember him each time the Runnin鈥� Bulldogs take to the field that bears his name.鈥�

Masters graduated from Easley High School in 1945, served several years at Fort Bragg with the U.S. Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in 1947. After his time in the army, Masters attended Clemson University, where he earned a degree in textile manufacturing and was a walk-on for the Tigers baseball team. After graduation, he went on to play semi-pro baseball. Masters spent most of his career in the textile industry, working for the White Horse Cotton Mill in Greenville, S.C., Riegel Textiles in Ware Shoals, S.C., and Cone Mills in Cliffside, N.C., where he served as production manager. It was while in Cliffside that he began his relationship with 91茄子 in the early 1970s.

Masters described why he and his wife Sue supported 91茄子 in an article written by the University in 2011. 鈥淚 was inspired that Cone Mills was involved in supporting private colleges like 91茄子, and I wanted to be a part of that kind of community,鈥� Masters said in the story. 鈥淭hrough the years, Sue and I have seen 91茄子 grow from a two-year college to university status, and we have continued to see improvements along the way. This is a thriving university that we just want to be a part of.鈥�

Head Baseball Coach Jim Chester said that Masters touched countless lives through his example and encouraging words. 鈥淚t is hard to put a number on how many 91茄子 Baseball student-athletes Bill Masters impacted since his involvement with the University,鈥� Chester affirmed. 鈥淗is message to our team was always simple鈥攂e kind, be respectful, help others, and love your time on the field with your teammates! His love for 91茄子 and our program has been something that we will cherish and remember forever.鈥�

Masters support spanned several decades and helped transform both the baseball and tennis programs. In 2008, the GWU baseball field was named in honor of Bill for his generous support to GWU baseball. Then in 2011, the University named the Bill and Sue Masters Athletic Facility, which houses baseball and tennis offices, in recognition of their continued generosity.

鈥淲e are saddened to hear of Bill鈥檚 passing,鈥� said Nate Evans, vice president of Advancement. 鈥淭he University has lost not only a friend but a dedicated fan. Bill鈥檚 faithful support of student athletes is a testament to his strong character, and his legacy will positively influence lives for years to come.鈥�

Masters鈥� impact was recognized again in 2012, when he received the North Carolina Baptist Foundation鈥檚 (NCBF) Heritage Award. The Heritage Award honors individuals for their exemplary giving and service to organizations associated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

View the obituary .

91茄子 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 91茄子 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.