DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia athletic department has hired Greg Smith as Associate Athletic Director, Facilities & Event Management as announced by Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett. Smith joins UNG after spending the previous 24 years at his alma mater, Old Dominion.

"I want to thank Athletic Director Mary Rob Plunkett and the entire search team for the opportunity to join such a successful program in the North Georgia Nighthawks," said Smith. "With UNG's history of success, outstanding facilities and strong future, I am ready to give my effort and experience to support and promote UNG student-athletes in being the best they can be."

Smith joined Old Dominion after three years as Assistant Director of Athletic Facilities and Events at the University of Maryland. While at Maryland, Smith was involved with a total baseball field renovation and the building of Comcast Arena. He also managed seven ACC and NCAA postseason tournaments, including the last two NCAA men's lacrosse finals hosted on a college campus.

Smith then returned to Old Dominion in 2000 as an Assistant Athletic Director for Facility and Event Management. In 2015 he was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Facility and Event Management. As part of the athletic administration, Smith was responsible for facility capital projects, daily facility operations including supervising a facility and grounds staff and event management including tournaments.

During his time at Old Dominion, Smith led over $250 million worth of athletic department capital projects, including the development of ODU's basketball convocation center and football stadium. On top of capital projects, Smith also managed over 1.5 million square feet of athletic fields and facilities on a daily basis.

In addition to facility management, Smith will play an integral role in event and game management for UNG moving forward. Smith has experience from ODU of playing host to over 40 conference and NCAA postseason tournaments. At ODU, Smith was the tournament director for six NCAA women's basketball tournaments, tournament director for three NCAA field hockey finals and tournament manager for three FCS football tournament games. This experience will assist in his role of continuing UNG's efforts in hosting conference, regional and national championships.

"It's a dynamic time across the intercollegiate landscape and I am very excited to become a part of the University of North Georgia, the North Georgia athletic department and the Dahlonega community," said Smith.

Smith graduated from ODU with a degree in sport management.