168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø leads NCAA Division II in Make-A-Wish fundraising
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø) led NCAA Division II in Make-A-Wish fundraising for the 2021-22 academic year with $13,851. 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø was one of only three Division II schools in the nation to exceed $10,000 raised.
It was the sixth time in seven years and eighth time overall that 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø tallied the top Make-A-Wish fundraising total in NCAA Division II.
"Our partnership with the Alumni Association and the efforts of our student-athletes made this accomplishment possible," Mary Rob Plunkett, 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø director of athletics, said. "168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø has shown our commitment to making a positive impact in our community. We're extremely fortunate to have university partners that continue to support our longstanding Make-A-Wish initiative."
Division II raised more than $185,000 in the 2021-22 academic year as part of its ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish. Since 2003, Division II schools have donated more than $6.75 million to Make-A-Wish and granted more than 780 wishes.
"Division II members cherish our partnership with Make-A-Wish," Wiley Cain, chair of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and football player at Kentucky Wesleyan, said. "Supporting such a life-changing organization gives us joy and hope to watch as these kids, the epitome of strength and perseverance, are supported in their fight."
As part of its fundraising efforts, 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø is one of 10 schools that will get to experience wish reveals, which are the powerful moments when wish kids find out theirs will be coming true.
Earlier this year, 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø earned the Peach Belt Conference's (PBC) LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award for most funds raised in 2021-22. It was the 13th year in a row 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø won the PBC award.
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø has finished in the top five NCAA Division II donors for 11 consecutive years. Since 2010, 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø has raised more than $200,000 for Make-A-Wish with at least $10,000 given every year.
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø also hosted a Make-A-Wish reveal in October 2021, the 10th wish reveal the institution has granted. The school has raised funds for 20 wishes.
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø leads PBC in Make-A-Wish fundraising
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø received the LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award for Most Funds Raised at the Peach Belt Conference's annual awards dinner in late May.
Norsworthy, Miles earn tennis coaching promotions
Kent Norsworthy has been promoted to 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø director of tennis and will continue as women's tennis head coach, while Justin Miles is now the men's tennis head coach.
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø earns highest Learfield Cup finish ever
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø earned its highest finish in its NCAA Division II history in the 2024-25 Learfield Directors' Cup standings, coming in at 22nd in the nation.
Belcher aims to elevate Nighthawks
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø head baseball coach Nolan Belcher won two national titles as a player at the University of South Carolina, and he coached Georgia College & State University for the past five years.