The Pfeiffer lacrosse teams have upgraded locker room facilities, thanks in part to one of the original members of the school's men's lacrosse program.
William Gillis '87 was one of the original members of the first lacrosse team at Pfeiffer in the spring of 1984. The Falcons were coached that year by Mike Stroff and finished 5-9, taking on teams like Hampton-Sydney, The Citadel, Radford, VMI and Guilford.
Gillis, a member of Pfeiffer's Athletic Advisory Council, was inducted into the Pfeiffer Hall of Fame in 1998. He played three sports for the Falcons: lacrosse, soccer and basketball.
He went on to co-found the lacrosse program at Limestone College and was its head coach in 1988, as well as an assistant for four seasons.
Later, as a law enforcement officer with the Gaston County Police Department, Gills received a Wounded In Combat Award in 1992 and was awarded Police Officer of the Year in 1995. He was also a team leader for the Gaston County SWAT Team.
The locker project came about when Gillis received word of the costs the program was potentially going to incur to build new lockers. Through his woodworking company he opened after his retirement, Crowders Mountain Design, he wanted to help the program by building the new lockers.
"I told (Pfeiffer staff) I could definitely beat whatever (bids) they got up, and do what I could to help the school and the program," Gillis said.
"I was part of the birthing of the program, and I wanted to make sure to do everything I could to help the program be successful."
When he transferred originally to Pfeiffer, Gills noted he said to himself, "I'm going to put this program on the map. I made All-American, and we got on the map, and the only reason was because of the guys I played with and the heart they had."
Gillis, who is also a member of the Pfeiffer Lacrosse Alumni Association Board, said the program runs deep in the blood of the players who have been a part of it.
"The success the program has attained, that amount of publicity the school gets for free from their success, you could not pay for it," Gillis said.
"Coach Tucker does a phenomenal job of representing the school and of having the team represent the school in an extremely positive manner."
He noted the alumni taking care of the program is "family taking care of family."
Regarding the new locker room additions, Tucker said, "as we have continued to advance our program, we noticed a better and more advanced space for our program was necessary to continue growing. Our alumni have been awesome, and Will Gillis in particular, who stepped up to help us complete this project. It is a great day for Pfeiffer men's lacrosse."
"We are deeply grateful for Will's help with this project," Pfeiffer women's lacrosse head coach Julia Barbato said about the lockers.
"As a Hall of Famer, his commitment to enhancing the experience for future Falcons truly highlights his heart and spirit for Pfeiffer."
Gillis said two years ago, former player Chris Squire organized a 40th year lacrosse reunion, which helped to form the alumni association.
"Although I'm building the lockers, it is a group effort and no one on the board is bigger than the board," Gillis said.
"As a leader, it's my duty to share the success."
Along with the lockers for the women's and men's lacrosse teams, Gillis is making wooden plaques for each member of last year's USA South championship men's lacrosse squad.
