Carl Payne was a two-time All-American (1983 & 1985) pitcher for the North Carolina Wesleyan baseball program.  He led the Bishops to three straight Dixie Conference Regular Season Championships and was a three-time Dixie Conference and All-South Region selection. Additionally, Payne was selected to the All-South Region Tournament team in 1983. 

Payne's statistics at Wesleyan were very impressive at the time of his induction:  29 wins (#1 all-time); 21 complete games (#1 all-time); 305 innings pitch (#2 all-time); 2.59 ERA (#4 all-time); 239 strikeouts (#4 all-time).  He also ranked in the top-five all-time for single season records: innings pitched (106.6 & 105.3); complete games (8); wins (11); strikeouts (103). 

In 1984, Payne was the team’s Most Valuable Player and Wesleyan’s Outstanding Male Athlete. His #14 jersey was retired at the conclusion of his career.