Nighthawks win pair of PBC awards

The University of North Georgia (UNG) earned the Peach Belt Conference's (PBC) Connecting Communities Award and the LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award for Most Funds Raised at the league's annual awards dinner May 30. The Nighthawks hosted "Heroes Game 2023" in partnership with the Lumpkin Heroes Baseball league while also continuing to be the benchmark for NCAA Division II Make-A-Wish fundraising.

The Connecting Communities Award is the second in a row for UNG and third since the PBC established the honor in 2012. The award is presented annually to the PBC member institution who embraces the NCAA Division II core value of community engagement, bringing the institution and local community together.

Lumpkin Heroes baseball is a local league in Dahlonega, Georgia, for individuals with special needs to have a safe place to participate in sports. Three age groups — The Miner Team, Junior Athletes and Senior Captains — competed in "Heroes Game 2023" against the White County Heroes, a league from a neighboring county that also serves special needs.

On April 24, the UNG softball program and student-athletes hosted Heroes Game at Haines and Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park. The athletes worked with the Heroes volunteers to plan the order of events, run the games as they occurred and interacted with the visiting athletes during the entire event. The student-athletes joined the Heroes teams on the field during games, warmed up with them and cheered them on throughout the event. A capacity crowd was on hand to enjoy the day, demonstrating the ability of NCAA Division II institutions to truly bond with their local communities.

The Nighthawks claimed their 14th consecutive LeeAnn Noble Award presented annually to the PBC member institution that donates the highest amount to Make-A-Wish. UNG raised $2,980 during the 2022-23 season.

The PBC Make-A-Wish awards was renamed the LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award following the 2013-14 season. Noble was a women's golfer at UNG and former Wish recipient from Make-A-Wish. She appeared on the cover of NCAA Champion Magazine in the fall of 2013, passing away in March of 2014. Her dedication to the Make-A-Wish program lives on with the award that will forever bear her name.