raucous celebration at University of North Georgia's Bob Stein Stadium was held earlier this week as Chandler Holcomb, the 2018 Make-A-Wish recipient from Gainesville, was introduced to a cheering crowd before the start of the UNG baseball game against the University of West Florida.
Holcomb, a 9-year-old battling leukemia, began the afternoon at the entrance to Memorial Hall on the Dahlonega Campus, where he was introduced to athletic and university administrators. He was then transported to the ballfield with a UNG police escort, arriving at the entrance to the Coleman Field House, where he was greeted by the baseball team, the coaching staff, and other UNG sports team members.
A tour of the team's locker room and facilities followed, with Holcomb receiving a number of UNG baseball paraphernalia from coach Tom Cantrell. Then, a press conference with Holcomb flanked by Cantrell and Director of Athletics Lindsey Reeves, introducing him as he signed a one-day contract making Holcomb a bona fide Nighthawk.
Holcomb's wish, a chance to go on a Disney Cruise to the Caribbean with his family, was revealed to those in attendance.
Finally, Holcomb was escorted to home plate to give the Nighthawks' starting lineup to the umpires, then to the pitcher's mound, where he tossed the ceremonial first pitch.
UNG held off West Florida 9-8 to win the game for Holcomb.
Since 2010, UNG has raised more than $133,000 for Make-A-Wish, including at least $10,000 every year since 2010-11. That means more than 13 wishes have been granted from the efforts of the Nighthawk Nation. UNG's student-athletes have finished in the top five NCAA Division II donors for seven consecutive years, including being the top donor on five different occasions.
