Fifty Years a Fan: Wayne Stanko

UNC Asheville Athletics is fortunate to have many fans whose blood runs Bulldog Blue. One of the department's longest supporters, Wayne Stanko, did not grow up a Bulldog Athletics fan but grew to love and support the department after moving to the area and has been a proud supporter for 50 years.

"My wife and I moved to Asheville from Nashville, Tennessee, in September of 1973," Stanko said.

Stanko's love for basketball began before he and his wife, Jan, moved to Asheville, as they attended games at Vanderbilt University. Wayne discovered the UNC Asheville basketball program upon first arriving in Asheville.

"We settled in North Asheville and saw a branch of the University of North Carolina close by, so we decided to check out the basketball."

The 1973-74 men's basketball team was in its ninth year as a program. The women's basketball program did not begin until 1975. Both teams, at this point, were a part of the NAIA and did not transition to NCAA Division I until 1985.

Wayne shared that he and his wife continued to come back to games because of the high quality of basketball.

"We started attending games when the teams were still playing in the Justice Gym," Stanko said. "There was so much energy in there from the fans, and it was such a good feeling being there."

The men's and women's basketball teams began playing in Kimmel Arena in 2011. Before the start of the season, Stanko, along with other season ticket holders, were able to go into the arena and choose their new seats. Stanko shared that he wanted to sit close to middle court but high enough up that he would be able to see all of the action.

Stanko reflected that some of the best seasons he has been able to experience as a fan included the years that teams won the Big South Conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Since 1973, the men's basketball team has made five NCAA Tournament appearances (2003, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2023) and won eight regular season championships and six Big South Tournament Championships. The women's team has one Big South Conference Regular Season Championship and three tournament championships. The women's team won the 1984 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship before transitioning to the NCAA.

Stanko shared that one of the most impactful players he watched at Asheville was Kenny George, who played at Asheville from 2006 to 2008. George is the first and now one of three members in Bulldog history to record a triple-double, as he is joined by Drew Pember and Bulldog alum LJ Thorpe.

When the era of Mike Morrell started in 2018, Stanko shared that despite the rough 2018-19 season, where the team went 4-27, he never considered turning away from being an Asheville fan.

"The comeback from Mike's first season has really been great," Stanko said. "I've been a season ticket holder since Kimmel opened, and even though it was such a rough start, I didn't see any reason to stop coming to games. There was still hope."

Although Wayne and his wife have been longtime supporters of the basketball teams, they are also very active in the campus community and attend various events on campus.

"My wife and I have attended plays, concerts, and the Crystal Ball seminar," Stanko said. "I've put thousands of miles on the Karl Straus track before it was renovated."

Wayne became an avid runner in 1965, and upon moving to Asheville, he became the president of the Asheville Track Club and was a certified USA Track & Field Official. His knowledge and enthusiasm for running prompted him to volunteer his time during the '90s to assist in the UNC Asheville track meets.

Through his involvement with UNC Asheville, Wayne shared that the people have been one of the most significant driving factors for his continued support.

"I am treated like a family member," Stanko said. "We love being a part of this community, and our house is right over the mountain, so I get to be neighbors with UNC Asheville."

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

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