2/14/19
DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted its seventh Make-A-Wish child on Wednesday as Dahlonega’s Hope Nix was signed to join the UNG women’s basketball team prior to the Nighthawks’ 84-56 win over Young Harris.
Hope and her parents Nate and Lenore, as well as sisters Katelen, Josie and Hannah, arrived at the UNG Convocation Center for “Hope’s Magical Day” and received a welcome from UNG Director of Athletics Lindsay Reeves and head women’s basketball coach Buffie Burson.
“Our program does not just sign players for days or even years,” stated Burson. “When we find recruits like Hope we sign them for life, so welcome to our family.”
Following a formal press conference to announce the five-year-old’s signing, she and her family were greeted with a gift from the YHC players and staff. Hope was announced as the team’s sixth starter before the game and enjoyed watching her teammates pull out the victory from courtside seats.
At halftime, a special live video look-in on her teammates led to a special message from three princesses – Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella – before the trio magically appeared in the Convocation Center to grant the Hope with her wish of a seven-day trip to Disney World. On her trip, Hope is scheduled to have breakfast with the three princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the castle at the Magic Kingdom.
After the game, the Nix family joined the team in the locker room for the post-game victory celebration as she sat in her personalized locker.
The evening concluded with a surprise visit to Hope’s Magical Castle where she was showered with gifts and shared dinner with her new teammates and the three princesses. The Magical Castle area was a full, private room with the theme centered around her wish that was designed and built by the UNG Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Since 2010, UNG has raised over $164,000 for Make-A-Wish, having raised at least $10,000 in every year since 2010-2011, meaning more than 16 wishes have been granted from the efforts of the Nighthawk Nation.
North Georgia has finished in the top five NCAA Division II Make-A-Wish donors for eight consecutive years, including being the top donor on six different occasions.
“The Nighthawk Nation has many heroes, but you are truly the biggest hero in our eyes,” stated Reeves. “We are so blessed to have you as part of our women’s basketball team.”
