DAHLONEGA – University of North Georgia athletic director Lindsay Reeves announced Tuesday that head men's basketball coach Chris Faulkner has resigned his position in order to accept a new role at UNG as the department's athletics development officer.
As the new athletics development officer, Faulkner will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors and prospective donors for charitable financial support of Nighthawk athletics through gifts (major, capital and planned), grants and corporate sponsorships. He will work on behalf of the 225+ student-athletes on 13 sports as part of the University Advancement team to promote the goals of the university, and in partnership with the athletics department to influence programs and projects to maximize private financial support.
Faulkner will also provide oversight of the daily operations of the Nighthawks Athletic Club, the annual giving fundraising arm of UNG athletics.
"I am extremely excited that Chris has chosen to lead our development efforts as part of our increased commitment to growing the external fundraising endeavors of Nighthawk Athletics," said Reeves. "We have set aspiring goals for our department, and I am confident that Chris can use a similar skill set that made him such a successful basketball coach to help us achieve them."
Faulkner has led the UNG men's basketball program for the past 16 seasons and led the Nighthawks to seven conference tournaments, including berths in the semifinals of the 2007-08 and 2012-13 Peach Belt Conference basketball tournaments. He was named the co-PBC Coach of the Year after the 2016-17 season where he led his squad to the West Division championship.
He has led the men's basketball program since 2003 and is the program's lone head coach during the NCAA era. His is second behind Bill Ensley on the program's all-time wins list with 215.
"This new opportunity is challenging and especially motivating for me," Faulkner said. "Having spent nearly 30 years on this campus, I have a clear understanding of the goals for this university and our athletics department," stated Faulkner. "I am grateful to Lindsay (Reeves), Jeff (Tarnowski) and the search committee for the confidence that they have shown in me to represent our student-athletes and coaches."
Faulkner is a 1993 graduate of North Georgia College where he received his Bachelor of Science in physical education and a Master of Education in 1995. He played four years of basketball at North Georgia (1989-1993) and served as the team captain during the 1992-93 season.
"Chris' long-standing association with the UNG campus community, alumni and supporters mean that he can hit the ground running," stated Jeff Tarnowski, vice president for University Advancement. "As a former student-athlete and coach, he has the core traits necessary to connect UNG athletics to the resources required for our student-athletes to receive a lasting educational and athletic experience."
Following the 2018-19 season, Faulkner will transition into his new position and a national search for the school's fourth head men's basketball coach in program history will begin immediately.
