DAHLONEGA – University of North Georgia Director of Athletics Lindsay Reeves and the Athletics Hall of Fame committee announced Monday the members of the tenth induction class into the North Georgia Athletics Hall of Fame. The five new inductees will be enshrined at a social and dinner on Friday, February 14, 2020 in the UNG Convocation Center as part of a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the honor.

The UNG Athletics Hall of Fame honors individuals who have earned outstanding athletic achievement or made substantial contributions to the university. A nine-member Board of Directors is responsible for operations of the Athletics Hall of Fame and serves as selectors for all honorees, based upon nominations.

The class consists of Matt Causey (men’s basketball), Larry Dennis (general), Felipe Friedrich (men’s tennis), Kelly Penston Gilliam (women’s soccer) and Ron Hunnicutt (baseball/men’s basketball).

The newly formatted induction ceremony will take place on the evening of Friday, Feb. 14 with a social hour beginning at 5:30 followed by a dinner and induction ceremony at 6:30.

The following day, the inductees will be recognized at halftime of the women’s game of a Peach Belt Conference basketball doubleheader against Lander set to tip off at 1:30 p.m.

The Athletics Hall of Fame weekend will coincide with UNG’s homecoming festivities that take place on the same day. Along with an introduction of the 2020 HOF Class to the Nighthawk Nation, fans will experience performances from the Corps of Cadets Boar’s Head Brigade Blue Ridge Rifles squad honoring the military heritage of the institution.

Tickets for the induction ceremony are available for $50 per person, or $500 for a table of eight. To reserve, please call 706-867-3212 or register online at UNGAthletics.com/HOF.

Single game tickets for the Hall of Fame basketball doubleheader are available the day of the game or through advance purchase at UNGTickets.com. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youth and free to UNG faculty, staff and students with a valid UNG ID.

Matt Causey, Men’s Basketball, Class of 2007
Causey holds multiple records for the NCAA era as well as all-time in the storied history of men’s basketball at North Georgia. He is the career free throw percentage record holder all-time, shooting at an 86 percent clip from the stripe. In 2005, Causey set the all-time record for points scored with 783 as well as free throws made with 227 and assists with 225. He still holds the UNG career scoring average record for the NCAA era at 22.3 points per game as well as being the only player to score 40 points in a single game, tallying that total against Piedmont on January 30, 2006. Causey was a NAIA First Team All-American in the 2004-05 season and a CoSIDA Academic All-American in the 2005-06 season.

Larry Dennis, General
Dennis served as the North Georgia College Faculty Athletics Representative to the NAIA from 1973 to 1998. During that time, he was also the NAIA Eligibility Chair, serving in that capacity from 1975 through 1994, and was also on the National Eligibility Committee from 1979 to 1988. Dennis is a NAIA Hall of Famer, earning the recognition for his meritorious service to the association. He has served on the Nighthawks Athletic Club and continues to tutor students since his retirement. Dennis has also served as chairman of the UNG Athletics Hall of Fame Board and helped to write the bylaws for induction as well.

Felipe Fredrich, Men’s Tennis, Class of 2013
Friedrich still stands as the highest ranked singles player in UNG history, garnering a career-best singles ranking of No. 17 during the 2013 season. The 2013 ITA All-American hold the third-best winning percentage in singles play for a single season, going 16-3 as a senior. In his career, he went 36-18 over three seasons, good for the fourth most wins in program history and the fifth best winning percentage. In doubles play, Friedrich went 39-21 with the fifth most wins. Friedrich was named Peach Belt First Team All-Conference singles and second team All-Conference in doubles his senior year.

Kelly Penston Gilliam, Women’s Soccer, Class of 2014
Penston holds numerous records for the North Georgia women’s soccer program, including the most points and goals scored in a career, tallying 42 goals and 98 total points across her four-year career from 2009 to 2013. Penston was named to the 2013 D2CCA All-American first team and was named All-Region three times by the United Soccer Coaches and twice by D2CCA. She is one of only 14 players in league history to be named Peach Belt Conference first team All-Conference all four years of her career.

Ron Hunnicutt, Baseball/Men’s Basketball, Class of 1975
Hunnicutt was a two-sport athlete at North Georgia as the athletic programs were just getting their start in the NAIA era. Playing basketball and baseball, Hunnicutt was named the Most Improved Player in the 1971-72 basketball season and was also a three-time Best Defensive Player on the court. During his career on the basketball court, he led the Saints to 72 wins, including a GIAC regular season championship in 1974-75 as well as a GIAC tournament championship and NAIA Regional appearance in the 1973-74 season.

5 new membes inducted into UNG Athletics Hall of Fame