BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Gardner-Webb officials recently announced the hiring of Scott Shipman as the full-time assistant coach for wrestling. Shipman has served as a graduate assistant under head coach Richard Wince for the past two seasons.    "This is a huge step for the program, not just in terms of commitment to bringing the staff up to a reasonable level, but also in the quality of Scott's contribution to the university," Wince said. "Scott has experience in compliance and financial aid, as well as having coached at his alma mater West Liberty State. He has also spent time as a volunteer for the coaching staffs at Ohio State and West Virginia. He is a workaholic who is relentless as a hands-on coach in addition to being a fierce recruiter. He's already made a huge contribution as a graduate assistant, and will continue to help us reach the next level of Division I wrestling."    A former Division II National Champion and four-time All-American, Shipman has spent the past two seasons in the role of an assistant while working towards his M.A. degree in Sports Science and Pedagogy. The move to make him a full-time assistant will keep Shipman at Gardner-Webb for the foreseeable future even after he earns his master's in July.    Shipman graduated from West Liberty State in 1997 after winning the NCAA Div. II national championship in 1996 in the 177-pound weight class. While at West Liberty State, Shipman posted an incredible 119-19 career mark including a perfect 30-0 mark during his junior season. Shipman also excelled off the mat, earning a spot on the 1997 NCAA Division II All-Academic First Team and was recently inducted into the West Liberty State Athletic Hall of Fame.    Also on Shipman's impressive wrestling resume is a brief two-year stint on the professional fighting circuit, where he posted an 11-1 record in 2001-2002. Shipman is also a two-year member of Team USA and placed at the 2001 United States Freestyle Wrestling National Championships.    "I am very excited to be part of an institution that is putting emphasis on improving its wrestling program," Shipman stated. "This is a significant move by Gardner-Webb that shows it is willing to do what it takes to develop and become a strong competitor on this level."    Wince added, "Every up-and-coming college program has a top-flight assistant coach, and we have one of the best in Scott. His ability to show our young wrestlers, first hand, solid techniques and skills will be invaluable to our growth as a program. He is enthusiastic, intelligent, and driven. We are proud to have Scott Shipman on our staff."