BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb University announced Thursday a major gift from baseball legend John Henry Moss, and will name a new stadium in Moss’ honor.

John Henry Moss Stadium will be built on the Gardner-Webb University campus in the same location as its current baseball playing field.

Moss, a native of nearby Kings Mountain, N.C., has been a driving force in the sport of baseball during his lifetime, including 50 years as president of the popular South Atlantic League.

With Moss’ keen eye for promotion, the South Atlantic League grew from an eight-team league in western North Carolina to a 16-team circuit that had played in 43 cities and eight states by 2007. Known for affordable, quality, family entertainment, the South Atlantic League is widely regarded as the model of success in baseball circles. Moss, who was honored by the league with a lifetime contract in 1990, retired following the 2007 season. He became the youngest person elected president of a professional baseball league with the Western Carolina League in 1948.

Through the years, Moss has accumulated countless regional and national awards and recognitions. His achievements include selection into five Halls of Fame, among them the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame, the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame, and the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame. He was named as the King of Baseball at the baseball winter meetings in Los Angeles in 1990. He also was an inaugural member of the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame.

In addition to his league responsibilities, John Henry Moss served as the Mayor of Kings Mountain from 1965-1989, during which time he earned national recognition for securing more than $40 million in federal grants. Newsweek magazine called him the “mayor with the Midas touch.” Moss Lake was established in 1974 as a reservoir for the City of Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

“This has been a wonderful experience with Mr. Moss,” said Woody Fish, Gardner-Webb’s Associate Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations. “He is by far one of the most gifted and innovative marketing geniuses around. He is also an example of what young people can accomplish in life, as he came from a small town to become ‘The Grand Gentleman of the Game of Baseball.’ ”

Gardner-Webb plays baseball as a member of NCAA Division I and the Big South Conference. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have enjoyed strong success on the diamond over the years, and played for the 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship last May in DeLand, Fla.

Under current head coach Rusty Stroupe, the Runnin’ Bulldogs have seen four players drafted since 2003 and two more sign professional contracts, including 43rd round draft pick Adam Bullard (Rome, A, Atlanta Braves) last summer. Bullard, Zach Ward (New Britain, AA, Twins) and Blake Lalli (Tennessee, AA, Cubs) are still active in their clubs’ respective minor league systems.

The Shelby, N.C., architectural firm of Holland, Hamrick and Patterson is handling the design of John Henry Moss Stadium. More naming opportunities are available in connection to the stadium by calling Woody Fish at 704-406-4254.

Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is home to nearly 4,000 students from 39 states and 21 foreign countries.