WILMINGTON, N.C. – William J. Brooks, widely recognized as the architect of UNC Wilmington’s athletic program, will be honored during a special pre-game ceremony before Saturday’s men’s basketball game between the Seahawks and Colonial Athletic Association rival George Mason.

Brooks served as UNCW’s athletic director for 40 years before retiring in 1991. He also held positions as the school’s men’s basketball coach, baseball coach and health and physical education director during his long tenure.

The Wilson, N.C., native built the athletic program, literally, from the ground up, taking the NCAA Division program from its junior college days to today’s perch on the highest level of collegiate athletics.

Brooks coached the Seahawks to two National Junior College Baseball Championships in 1961 and 1963 and piloted the basketball team to a pair of appearances in the National Junior College Basketball Tournament.

He has been inducted into the National Junior College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame and the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame.

In addition, Brooks was also honored as a CAA Legend during the 2006 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship in Richmond.

-Courtesy UNCW