Letter From The Athletic Director
Dear Nighthawk Nation,
When you think of the University of North Georgia, what comes to mind? Is it the beautiful campus nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains? Is it the outstanding academic programs that prepare students for successful careers? Or perhaps it's Nighthawk Athletics, with its rich heritage and tradition of excellence.
After one of the best seasons in North Georgia’s athletics history, we are following that success with influential changes and cutting-edge ideas to help maintain our ground as one of the best NCAA Division II athletic departments in the country.
New Opportunities Mean a New Name. Here at UNG, our teams have set a high standard for what Nighthawk athletic success looks like. We want all 13 of our intercollegiate athletic teams to compete for National Championships. With our continued growth and success, we have decided to give the fundraising arm of the athletic department a new identity. The North Georgia Athletic Fund is the primary umbrella encompassing all your generous giving to UNG athletics athletics and operates under the direction of the University of North Georgia Foundation. The Athletic Fund, which includes our annual fund (Nighthawks Athletic Club), scholarships, planned giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, sport-to-sport giving, facilities donations and more, is the new hub for all financial support providing necessary resources for Nighthawk athletics.
Generosity & Humility in Leadership. The North Georgia Athletic Fund is not only getting a refresh, it is receiving outstanding and generous leadership from the North Georgia Athletic Fund Board of Directors. There is no better time than now to expand our athletics brand and grow the definition of Nighthawk tradition. With that, we are restructuring the Board to intentionally focus on necessary areas of growth within our program. The new structure sees board members comprise four different committees with specific areas of focus to provide our student-athletes with the tools and support to compete at a championship level.
New Opportunities with the Nighthawks Athletic Club (NAC). NAC has been the fundraising lifeblood for UNG Athletics for many years. We look forward to expanding that function by offering new giving levels that include enhanced benefits, premium experiences, and donor engagement opportunities through this year’s NAC membership. Take a look at these new options to see what interests you!
Be a Champion for our Champions. Our student-athletes work tirelessly on and off the field of competition to represent North Georgia with pride and distinction. They are not only dedicated athletes, but exceptional students in the classroom, and humble leaders in the community. By supporting the North Georgia Athletic Fund, you have the power to make a difference in their lives and help them succeed athletically, academically and beyond.
Please consider joining me and making a commitment to give to the North Georgia Athletic Fund this year. We greatly appreciate your continued support of Nighthawk Athletics and commitment to our student-athletes as we strive to build champions in sport and life!
Hawk ‘Em!

Mary Rob Plunkett
Athletic Director