Fall teams aim to maintain momentum
The University of North Georgia's (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) Athletic Department will aim to build this fall on the best year in program history. Â鶹ÊÓƵ is coming off a 22nd-place mark in the NCAA Division II Learfield Directors' Cup standings, its first-ever top 25 finish in the all-sports ranking.
"The momentum in Nighthawk Nation is unmistakable. We firmly believe our fall teams will continue our trend of excellence both nationally and in our conference," Athletic Director said. "The vision is becoming closer to reality every day as we build the most competitive, value-added Division II athletic program in the nation."
Leading the charge will be the women's soccer team, fresh off its second Sweet 16 appearance ever and first since 2016. Head coach 's program has made all four of the NCAA tournaments held during her tenure, and the Nighthawks have earned five NCAA berths in a row overall. Her team kicks off the season at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 against Wingate University at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Soccer Field.
The team is coming off a 13-4-3 campaign in 2024, including a 5-2-2 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) mark that was good for second place. Â鶹ÊÓƵ has nine seniors on the roster. This fall, the Nighthawks will seek to win at least one NCAA tournament game for a third straight season for the first time since 2016. Ralton is 54-22-11 in five seasons as head coach.
In head coach 's third season overall and second season as the permanent head coach, the men's soccer team will look to make another leap. Lilic's group went 8-6-3 overall and 6-3-1 in PBC play a season ago.
The men's soccer team, which features 12 seniors, kicks off 2025 at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 against ninth-ranked Coker University at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Soccer Field.
Coming off a national semifinalist season in 2024-25 and Hunter Smith's individual national title, the men's golf team will play in five tournaments this fall. Head coach and Â鶹ÊÓƵ will host the fourth annual Mizuno Intercollegiate at Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, Georgia, from Sept. 15-16.
Following the first NCAA Division II regional appearance in program history, head coach and the women's golf team are slated for four tournaments this fall. Â鶹ÊÓƵ will host the 12th annual LeAnn Noble Memorial at Achasta Golf Club from Oct. 13-14.
The women's cross country team has five regular-season competitions, highlighted by hosting the 13th annual Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cross Country Invitational at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Gainesville Campus. Head coach and his team will also compete in the Oct. 3 Georgia Tech Cross Country Invitational.
Basketball teams take aim at lofty goals
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ men's and women's basketball teams are near the top of the Peach Belt Conference preseason rankings as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.
About 240 FROGS set to begin cadet life
About 240 freshmen began their time as Â鶹ÊÓƵ cadets Aug. 2-8 during FROG Week, which was led by cadet brigade commander Grace McGill and her team.
Fall teams set to chase lofty goals
Â鶹ÊÓƵ's fall athletic teams are aiming to build on their championship-level performances in 2025 as they kick off the 2026-27 athletic year.
Athletics names 2026 Hall of Fame class
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Department of Athletics and the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee have unveiled the class of 2026, which is set to be inducted Sept. 24.