Rob Donnenwirth Named to N.C. Wesleyan Hall of Fame
July 26, 2007 | Soccer
July 26, 2007
GREENVILLE, N.C--East Carolina Head Women's Soccer Coach Rob Donnenwirth has been elected to the North Carolina Wesleyan College Hall of Fame as announced by the university on Thursday.
Since 1999, North Carolina Wesleyan College has honored 33 former athletes, administrators, teams, and coaches by enshrining them in its Hall of Fame. These individuals have created a higher standard for Bishop athletics and were selected based on their outstanding accomplishments. This year's class meets these same standards and will comprise the ninth group of honorees. In addition to Donnenwirth, the N.C. Wesleyan Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Trish Parker of women's soccer, Vernon Bradley of men's tennis, and Jeff Hood of men's basketball have also been chosen to comprise its 2007 Hall of Fame class.
"The annual Hall of Fame ceremonies are tremendously exciting," said Director of Athletics John Thompson. "It is an honor to be around those who have made Wesleyan athletics successful and to connect the traditions and legacies with the present."
Donnenwirth enjoyed tremendous success as head coach of the Battling Bishop women's soccer program from 1994-1998. He compiled an impressive 62-26-9 record during his five-year tenure, including four Dixie (now USA South) Conference Championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and one trip to the Final Four. Under Donnenwirth's guidance, the Bishops produced 37 All-Conference performers, three Rookies of the Year, two Players of the Year, and three All-Americans.
Individually, Donnenwirth was recognized several times. He garnered Dixie Coach-of-the-Year honors on three occasions ('94, '96, '98), as well as twice being named the NCAA South Region Coach-of-the-Year.
Donnenwirth left Wesleyan in 1999 to begin his current position at East Carolina. In eight years at the helm of the Pirate program, he has already become the winningest coach in ECU women's soccer history.
During his playing career, Donnenwirth led West Virginia Wesleyan College to back-to-back NAIA National Championships in 1984 and 1985. For his efforts in goal, he was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All- American in 1987. He earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from West Virginia Wesleyan in 1988 and his M.B.A. from James Madison in 1990.
