Billy Godwin was recruited by legendary Atlantic Christian College Baseball Coach Jack “Doc” Sanford, who saw him pitch in an American Legion Baseball Game on July 4 after his senior year in Goldsboro, N.C.

Godwin was coming off a season at Northern Nash (N.C.) High School in Rocky Mount, N.C., in which he batted .357 and compiled an 8-1 record on the mound.

Godwin, a 1986 graduate of Atlantic Christian College, was part of the 1984 Carolinas Conference Championship Team.  Godwin was the Team Captain as a senior in 1986 and was named student-athlete of the year.

Godwin says that title along with beating East Carolina were two of the best moments in his collegiate career. 

“I played with the best teammates anyone could ask for,” said Godwin, now the current Head Baseball Coach at UNC Greensboro.  “With all my experience in baseball and if I had to do it over again and could go anywhere, I would not change anything and would play at Atlantic Christian again.”

Since his A.C.C./Barton days, Godwin has built quite a career resume in baseball.

Godwin just finished his fourth season with Spartans and his tenure with UNCG has included a Southern Conference Tournament Championship in 2022 and a 120-119 record. 

Godwin has also had successful coaching stops at East Carolina (2006-14) and Louisburg (2000-05).  His career coaching record in the college ranks is 720-418 overall including a 334-214 mark with the Pirates and a 266-85 ledger with the Hurricanes.

At East Carolina, Godwin was named the 2009 Conference USA Coach of the Year and guided the Pirates to five NCAA Regional appearances and a Super Regional in 2009.

Godwin also coached at Cary Academy (1997-99) and The Enfield Academy (1987-88, 1993-97) in Whitakers, N.C., where he won the state high school championship in 1994 and finished runner-up in 1995 and 1996. 

Godwin got his collegiate coaching start as an Assistant at North Carolina Wesleyan (1988-90) where he was part of the 1989 NCAA Division III National Championship Team and the 1990 College World Series squad.

Godwin, an Amateur Area Scout for the New York Yankees (2014-19), earned his master’s degree in education administration in 1995 from East Carolina.