April 1, 2022

GARY EDWARDS WINS 2022 AWARD

NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Francis Marion coach Gary Edwards is the recipient of the 2022 Jack Bennett Man of the Year Award.

Edwards surpassed 600 career victories this season, his 38th as a college coach and 16th at Francis Marion. He led the program to consecutive NCAA Division II national tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019 and has been recognized in the Florence, SC area for his volunteer work and contributions to the community.

Edwards received a B.A. degree in English (magna cum laude) from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1979, where he was recognized as an academic All-American on the basketball court in 1979. He later earned a master's degree from Old Dominion University.

His coaching career began in 1979 as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at his alma mater, Virginia Wesleyan. He then served as an assistant coach at Hofstra University for two years before taking over the Barton program.

He’s also written a weekly sports column in an area newspaper for the better part of the last 30 years.

The Jack Bennett Award, which represents winning with integrity, is named in honor of former head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Bennett won five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, made five NCAA tournament appearances and won two national championships. He’s the program’s all-time winningest coach with a 200-56 record. In 34 seasons as head coach he compiled a record of 480-175.