ATLANTA, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp honored the 2023 NCAA D-II National Champion University of North Georgia softball program at the Georgia Capitol on Wednesday.
It was the 2023 Knighthawks' final celebration as a team before the 2024 season starts on Friday, Feb. 2, in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Twenty-three players and the team's coaches visited the Capitol, receiving a commendation from Gov. Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp and Senate and House resolutions honoring the team's national title.
It was the second championship visit to the Capitol for head coach Mike Davenport, whose program also captured the NCAA Division II national title in 2015. Davenport will begin his 24th season leading the program at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2 against the University of West Florida in the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
"Today was a tremendous honor for this group of young people who accomplished something very special last year. To be recognized at the state Capitol will be something they will remember for a very long time and will somewhat put the final touches on the 2023 season," Davenport said. "Being a representative of the University of North Georgia is something this program takes an awful lot of pride in. And representing our state as a national champion means an awful lot to our student-athletes, the Dahlonega/Lumpkin County community and the state of Georgia."
Three of the players from the 2023 team on hand at the Capitol were UNG graduates Hannah Forehand, Madi Perry and Olivia Sinquefield. For the trio, the Capitol visit included one last bus trip together with their former teammates.
"It's like our last rodeo with the team before we fully close this book and start our adult chapters," Sinquefield said. "It was nice to press pause on reality and come back with everyone that we accomplished our dream with."
Sinquefield, who earned a degree in English with teacher certification, is now a sixth-grade English teacher at Taylor Road Middle School and an assistant softball coach at Chattahoochee High School.
"This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Sinquefield said. "It's unique to be in the state Capitol and to feel so welcomed by all of the representatives."
Perry, who earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness, works in hospital staffing in Alpharetta, Georgia.
"It was great getting to be with everyone again," Perry said.
Forehand is working at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia, in preparation for beginning UNG's Doctor of Physical Therapy program in May. She earned her bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science.
"It was fun to take it all in and be recognized," Forehand said. "We really appreciated that."
The team presented Kemp, state Sen. Steve Gooch and state Rep. Will Wade with personalized UNG jerseys. Gooch, the Senate majority leader, and Wade are UNG alumni.
Gooch, a Dahlonega, Ga. resident, made sure to have the NCAA championship trophy front and center while speaking after the Senate resolution was presented.
"I'm proud to be a friend of coach Mike Davenport," Gooch said. "I love this university that scatters throughout all of north Georgia."
Wade introduced UNG President Michael Shannon and some of the softball players after the House resolution was presented.
"These are amazing students, amazing athletes, and they're all gainfully employed, providing for their communities and carrying on the excellence that is being a University of North Georgia graduate," Wade said.
Shannon addressed the House members.
"Today is a celebration of leadership," Shannon said. "Leadership is about sacrifice. Leadership is about dedication to one another. And leadership is about being national champions not only in sports but in life. This is what college athletics is all about."
The 2023 UNG softball team set a program record with 64 victories, breaking the previous mark of 62 set in 2018. It was UNG's third consecutive season reaching at least the national semifinals and fourth NCAA Championship appearance since its previous national championship.
