Three former UNCW athletes earn Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame honors

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Three former University of North Carolina Wilmington student-athletes are set to be inducted into the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2027.

The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that former Seahawks Brett Blizzard, Bruce Cavenaugh, and Michelle Jarman will be inducted during the organization’s 20th induction weekend, scheduled for May 14-16, 2027.

The trio will be honored alongside longtime football official Johnnie Forte and former boxer Donnell Holmes.

Blizzard, a Tallahassee, Florida, native, is regarded as one of the most accomplished men’s basketball players in UNCW history. A four-year starter from 1999 to 2003, he started all 125 games of his collegiate career and remains the Seahawks’ all-time leading scorer with more than 2,000 career points. He also holds school records in steals and minutes played.

Blizzard’s success extended beyond UNCW, becoming the only player in Coastal Athletic Association history to earn First-Team All-CAA and All-CAA Tournament honors in four consecutive seasons. He was named CAA Player of the Year in both 2002 and 2003 and earned CAA Tournament Most Valuable Player honors three times.

Cavenaugh, a Wilmington native, starred for the Seahawks baseball program from 1970 to 1973. During his collegiate career, he hit 18 home runs, drove in 74 runs, stole 37 bases, and scored 125 runs. He was a three-time NAIA District 28 selection and finished his career as UNCW’s all-time leader in home runs and stolen bases. His standout 1971 season included a .314 batting average with six doubles, four triples, and six home runs.

Jarman, also a Wilmington native and graduate of John T. Hoggard High School, excelled on the Seahawks women’s golf team from 2002 to 2006. A four-time All-Conference selection, she helped lead UNCW to two conference championships and three NCAA East Regional appearances while posting a top-20 individual finish at the 2006 NCAA Regionals.

Jarman concluded her career with a 76.46 scoring average across 119 rounds and earned five individual tournament victories while helping the Seahawks capture seven team tournament titles. She was named the CAA Women’s Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2006 and was recognized as the conference’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2005.

Founded in 2005 by Hall of Fame coach and administrator Bill Dooley, the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame has honored 84 individuals across a variety of sports and athletic fields. The Class of 2027 represents the organization’s 20th induction class.

The 2027 induction weekend will begin with an introductory luncheon on Friday, May 14, at the Wilmington Convention Center. The Joe Miller Memorial Golf Tournament will follow on Saturday, May 15, at the Wilmington Municipal Course. The weekend will conclude with the induction banquet and formal ceremony on Sunday, May 16, at the Wilmington Convention Center.