Trask Coliseum Time Capsule

UNCW Commencement, Dec. 2018

Trask Coliseum has been the home of UNCW commencement for decades. In May 2021, UNCW hosted its 100th commencement exercise with both in-person and virtual options.

Lolita Bryant '04, '11M in front of Trask Coliseum, 2017

The property that Trask Coliseum rests on was once owned by Abram Bishop who operated a small farm and raised his family in a 1,100 square-foot home. The heirs of Abram Bishop were part of a group of four landowners Wilmington College approached in 1950s as they were seeking a new location to accommodate the college’s growth. Learn more »

Bishop family home. Photo credit: Lolita Bryant (2017)

Seahawk Natatorium, 2020

The I Can Do It, You Can Do It program utilizes faculty and students from the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences to provide mentoring for physical-activity programs for individuals with disabilities in the Wilmington community. Established in May 2004, the program at UNCW is the only type in North Carolina and one of just six programs in the nation.

Faculty member Sabrina Cherry with Global Health Class in Trask Coliseum, 2020

Trask is a versatile facility with several classrooms and the Academic Support Services Center for our student-athletes. During the 2020-21 academic year, 81% of UNCW student-athletes registered a 3.00 or higher GPA.

Student-athletes Keith Rendleman and Matt Wilson with George Rountree, 2012

The George Rountree Basketball Suite, in Trask, honors prominent civic leader, attorney and UNCW benefactor, George Rountree III. George and his wife, Sylvia, have been longtime Seahawk Club members - endowing a student-athlete scholarship and making a significant contribution to transform the men's basketball locker room complex.

To support the men's basketball team, make your online gift here »

Midnite Madness, 2015

Taking place in October, this annual tradition marks the official start to the basketball season. Midnite Madness is a chance for students, faculty, staff and the community to preview the talent of the teams. There is a variety of performances including the UNCW dance team, three-point and dunk contest, player introductions and team scrimmages, to name a few.

Magic Johnson in Trask Coliseum, 2012

In 2012, longtime UNCW advocate and former Board of Trustee, Wilma W. Daniels, sponsored a lecture series to promote diversity and tolerance. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, entrepreneur, philanthropist and former NBA basketball star, was the keynote speaker for the event.

Student section during basketball game, 2015

The Student Seahawk Club is a giving society for students that provides a unique inside look into the athletic department, while encouraging philanthropic support for our various sports programs. Every year, hundreds of students join our family of donors by giving to the UNCW area that means the most to them.

Swim and Dive team member, Will Goldey, 2021

The UNCW men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, who compete in the Natatorium inside Trask, have enjoyed tremendous success since the programs were founded by legendary head coach Dave Allen in the Fall of 1977. The teams have combined for 16 Colonial Athletic Association championships, including a record 13 straight titles by the men’s team from 2002-14. To support the team, make your online gift here »

Gwen Austin and Sheila Boles retired jerseys, 2020

Gwen Austin was a dominant figure in the early years of the women's basketball program, putting up very impressive numbers in her four-year career. The post player was named First-Team All-ECAC and ECAC South Player-of-the-Year in 1984-85 after averaging 20.4 points and 12.8 rebounds for the women's basketball team. During her 109-game career, she averaged a double-double of 18.9 points and 11.8 rebounds, shooting a remarkable 52 percent from the field. Gwen remains UNCW's all-time leader in scoring (2,056 points), rebounding (1,290 rebounds) and blocked shots (222 blocks). She holds 16 UNCW records overall including career scoring average (18.9 ppg) and career rebounding average (11.8 rpg). In 2009, Gwen was honored by the Colonial Athletic Association as one of the league's legends during its annual program to honor past greats of the game. In February of 2014, her number "23" was hung in the rafters of Trask Coliseum, becoming the first women's basketball player to be honored.

Gwen is extremely fond of her time at UNCW and has stayed involved with the program since graduation. She recently established the “Gwen Austin Endowed Scholarship for Women’s Basketball” to provide future members of the team the same life changing opportunity she had at UNCW.

To support the women's basketball team, make your online gift here »

Volleyball Locker Room, 2021

The Seahawk Club, along with proud supporters of the UNCW Volleyball program renovated the locker room in 2015. The $150,000 investment included a common area, showers and locker room naming rights for distinguished donors. To support the volleyball team, make your online gift here »

Wilmington Star News Ad, 1978

Numerous artists have graced the stage in Trask Coliseum, including Dolly Parton, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels, The Righteous Brothers, The Beach Boys, The Four Tops, Willie Nelson, Gladys Knight, Ludacris, Brad Paisley, and Hootie and the Blowfish. Check out more popular concerts performed at UNCW »