Fight song reveal set for Feb. 15 at homecoming basketball games

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will unveil its fight song Feb. 15 as part of a homecoming basketball doubleheader against Lander University at the Convocation Center.

The women's game tips off at 1:30 p.m., and the fight song will be performed between the games.

Dr. Ashley Jarrell, director of instrumental studies and assistant professor of music at UNG, hatched the idea a few years ago after he attended some UNG basketball games and saw a need for a song that would promote school spirit and energize fans at sporting events.

Jarrell enlisted students to help research and provide background info on UNG to Dr. Scott Boerma, director of bands at Western Michigan University, who then composed the song. Jarrell said UNG's Student Government Association (SGA) also provided valuable feedback on one of the final drafts.

Jarrell specifically requested the song include various trumpet calls to pay homage to UNG's Corps of Cadets.

"It's the little unique parts that make it truly a song for UNG," Jarrell said.

The UNG Wind Ensemble and pep band will play the three-and-a-half-minute song as Dr. John Broman, director of choral activities and professor of music at UNG, sings the lyrics.

"I keep trying to remind the students that it's not every day you go through this process. It's usually a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Jarrell said. "This fight song will be the official fight song of UNG for generations and generations to come. It's exciting to be part of that."

SGA along with the Spirit Squad will distribute rally towels with the fight song lyrics to students in the fourth quarter of the women's game.

Dr. Benjamin Schoening, head of the Music Department at UNG, is eager for everyone to enjoy the song.

"It's been exciting to watch it grow from a seed into something we're about to present to the UNG community," Schoening said.

Camden Pruitt, a senior from Woodstock, Georgia, pursuing a music education degree, was one of the students who provided details about UNG that helped Boerma craft a song that fit the university.

"It was really great to be a part of something that is going to leave a legacy at the school," Pruitt said.

Morgan May, marketing and events coordinator for the Athletics Department, looks forward to all UNG teams using the song when they run onto the court or field.

"We're really excited to start this tradition and bring a lot of spirit to our game-day environment with the addition of the fight song," May said.