Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

In football, Ackard, who was a tailback, was named the Most Outstanding Freshman in 1954.  After playing in 1955, Ackard left school for a year and returned with a vengeance.  In 1957, Ackard was named to All-NAIA District 26 and North State Conference teams and was named an honorable mention All-State selection by the Greensboro Daily News after accumulating a North State Conference record 1,362 yards of total offense.  He also set a then-NAIA record for pass completion percentage (61.5%, 48-of-78, 670 yards).  In 1958, Ackard was named to the All-State Team by the Greensboro Daily News, the All-NAIA District 26 and North State Conference Teams as well as being named an honorable mention selection to both the AP and UPI All-America Teams after leading the NSC with 1,291 yards of total offense.  Ackard, who was L-R's Most Valuable Player in 1958, was named the conference's outstanding player by the American Business Club of High Point.  He finished his four-year career with a then-school record 3,499 yards of total offense.  Ackard was a four-year letterwinner in both golf and tennis and helped lead the tennis team to undefeated seasons in 1957 and 1958.  After L-R, Ackard has worked in the area's furniture business as an independent broker.