UNCW creates the Jerry Wainwright scholarship

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW is starting a new scholarship in honor of a men’s basketball coach who put the school’s program on the map in the early 2000s.

Jerry Wainwright coached eight seasons at UNCW and compiled a 136-103 record. During his time, he piloted the Seahawks to a pair of NCAA and NIT berths with three regular season conference championships and two 20-win seasons.

The scholarship was spearheaded by Danny Dahl, who was a member of UNCW’s first Coastal Athletic Association championship team.

Dahl hopes this will grow into an out-of-state scholarship in the future.

“Danny has achieved things, both personally and professionally, that are truly special. I could not be prouder of what Danny and all of his teammates have accomplished since their years at UNCW. I’d prefer to think that this endowed scholarship will represent what we all, as a team, have achieved,” Wainwright said.

The creation of the Wainwright scholarship coincides with the basketballs program’s 75th anniversary.