Wayne Harwell

Year Inducted: 2022

Wayne Harwell began his baseball career in Little League and Babe Ruth, winning the State Championship in 1972. He helped organize the first baseball team at D. Matt Thompson Junior High. He then went on to Statesville High School and had great career with a pitching record of 28-3 throughout high school. He was two-time Conference Player of the Year and All-State in 1976 and 1977. He also helped lead the Greyhounds to the Association Championship in 1977. He was honored as NC Player of the Year and 2nd Team Parade All-America.

After high school, Wayne went on to Western Carolina and had a stellar career in baseball. His freshman year ERA was 7th in the nation and was named to the All-Southern Conference Freshman Team and Rookie of the Year. After an injury ended his college career, he continued his athletics in softball, being named All World on multiple occasions.

Harwell came back to Statesville after graduation to teach English, coach baseball and girls tennis. He is the only coach in Iredell County history to lead two different sports to state championships. He led Greyhound baseball to the state championship in 1991 and the girls tennis team to a state championship in 1993. He was named NC Coach of the Year for both sports those years.

Harwell has also been involved with Babe Ruth baseball for over 30 years, serving as President for 23 of those years. Also, during this time Wayne is a highly sought-after umpire, even umpiring the Babe Ruth World Series.