Show & Teal An Elite Opportunity

“I view this job, the university, its athletic program and community as an elite opportunity to be a part of something special,” said recently named Athletics Director Michael Oblinger. “I’m truly committed to this place. I look forward to earning this responsibility daily.”

Oblinger, former Deputy Director of Athletics/External Relations at the University of Connecticut, took over as UNCW’s new AD on April 1, following a national search. He replaced Jimmy Bass, who retired after nearly 13 years in the leadership role.

Oblinger will oversee the university’s NCAA Division I program with a rich history of athletics competition, 19 intercollegiate teams and more than 350 student-athletes who posted a collective, cumulative 3.388 GPA for the fall 2022 semester. He brings nearly 20 years of athletics experience to UNCW.

Before UConn, Oblinger was Director of Major Gifts and Annual Fund at Louisiana State University’s Tiger Athletic Foundation. He previously held positions at Nevada, Memphis and Ohio State.

– VENITA JENKINS

Nicole Woods, an experienced collegiate coach and recruiter, has been named the 12th head coach in UNCW women’s basketball history. Woods takes over the Seahawk program after 10 years on the staff at UNC Charlotte, officially starting on April 19.

“We’re going to compete. We’re going to foster an environment of competition,” Woods said. “We’re going to fight in everything we do, because I believe that if you believe you are a winner, you’re going to win in the classroom, you’re going to win on the court, and you’re going to win in the community.”

Making a Splash

In February, UNCW captured both the men’s and women’s Colonial Athletic Association Swimming & Diving Championship titles for the second time overall and the first since 2006. For the Seahawk men, it was the program’s 15th conference title and its second straight. For the women, it was their fourth and first since that 2006 season.

Bobby Guntoro ’12 was named both Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year, and George Greenleaf was named Men’s Diving Coach of the Year. Wings up!

JOE BROWNING