DAHLONEGA - The University of North Georgia Department of Athletics has signed freshman Walker Grant to the Nighthawk Nation family as part of Wednesday's Make-A-Wish Night at the soccer doubleheader. Grant signed his name to the dotted line during a halftime signing ceremony with his family beside him and the Nighthawk Athletics family all around him at midfield.

NCAA Division II has raised more than $6.2 million toward granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Almost 740 "wishes" have been granted through NCAA Division II contributions.

Led by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), UNG Nighthawk athletics provides the perfect example of the commitment to Division II's long-standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
 
Since 2010, Nighthawk Athletics has raised over $205,000 for Make-A-Wish, having raised at least $10,000 in every year since, meaning more than 20 wishes have been granted from the efforts of the Nighthawk Nation.
 
From nearby Canton, Walker is a freshman at North Georgia after graduating from Creekview High School. During his childhood, Walker had to have a liver transplant. His wish was to have assistance in paying for his college tuition here at UNG, which has been granted. Studying communications at UNG, Walker hopes to be a speech pathologist and work at children's hospitals helping other kids that are going through similar battles.

North Georgia has now hosted 10 wish reveals in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.