The UNG men's basketball team signed Hudson "Huddy" Carpenter to the Nighthawk Nation family on Feb. 11.
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Athletics signed 6-year-old Hudson Carpenter to the Nighthawk Nation family as part of its Feb. 11 Make-A-Wish Day at the men's basketball team's home victory over Lander. "Huddy" signed his name to the dotted line during a pregame signing ceremony supported by his family and the team.
Nighthawk Nation welcomed Carpenter back from Huddy's wish, a weeklong trip to Disney World.
"Huddy and the Carpenter family are the perfect addition to our Nighthawk family, and it was rewarding to welcome them back from Disney and celebrate his signing," Morgan May, UNG Athletics director of marketing and events, said. "The continued commitment from our student-athletes to the Make-A-Wish mission is inspiring to watch, and being able to invite these amazing kids, and their families, into our family is something we will always cherish."
After signing a one-day contract for a roster spot on head coach Dan Evans' team, Huddy joined his teammates in the locker room and on the floor for pregame warmups.
"Welcoming Hudson into our program and honoring him within our starting lineup made the win over Lander even more special. Hudson represents the fighting spirit that we hope to embody as a program every day," Evans said. "Feeling and seeing his enthusiasm for life reminds our players and staff of the joys that we should appreciate each day. Huddy and his family will forever be a part of Nighthawks men's basketball."
Huddy was announced as an honorary starter as his family sat courtside for the game. Throughout the day, he met student-athletes from the school's 13 sports teams and received a gift basket filled with UNG memorabilia.
Led by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), UNG Athletics provides the perfect example of the commitment to Division II's long-standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
"Getting to welcome Huddy and his family to Nighthawk Nation was such a memorable and amazing experience. Spending time with Huddy left my face hurting from smiling so much," Katey Derkay, UNG SAAC president and women's soccer player, said. "Watching him have so much fun and enjoy his time here truly warmed my heart. I'm so glad we were able to welcome him back from Disney and be a part of his Make-a-Wish experience."
