HILTON HEAD, SC -- The University of North Georgia won the Peach Belt Conference Connecting Communities Award at the league's annual awards dinner on Tuesday night in Hilton Head. The Nighthawks hosted 'Heroes Game 2023' in partnership with the Lumpkin Heroes Baseball league. 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, Ga., 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, 2023, 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 Connecting Communities award is the second in a row for North Georgia and third since the Peach Belt established the honor in 2012.

PBC Connecting Communities
Award Winners

2023 - North Georgia
2022 – North Georgia
2021 – USC Aiken
2020 - Lander
2019 - UNC Pembroke
2018 - Georgia Southwestern
2017 - UNC Pembroke
2016 - Francis Marion
2015 - Georgia Southwestern
2014 - UNC Pembroke
2013 - North Georgia
2012 - Montevallo