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Historic and busy first year for YHC Athletic Director

by Steve Esser

Young Harris, GA (06/03/2025) — It's not difficult to see why 2024-2025 was a great year for Young Harris Athletics, as the energy and enthusiasm Aaron Bessey brings to his job as Athletic Director is hard to ignore. One conversation with the new AD leaves anyone feeling motivated and inspired.

And if the good vibes aren't enough, the results of Bessey's first year as athletic director will provide the proof.

  • Men's and women's soccer won Conference Carolinas division titles and advanced in postseason play after hosting opening-round matches.
  • Men's and women's basketball advanced in postseason play, hosting opening-round action. Both teams won more than 20 games for the first time in school history.
  • It's the first full season for both Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field.
  • Softball advanced in postseason play.
  • Baseball finished the season co-champion of Conference Carolinas and currently ranks in the top 10 nationally in Division II NCAA. They entered NCAA Regional play in May.
  • Men's and Women's Tennis advanced in conference postseason play.
  • Women's Lacrosse finished one game out of first place in the conference and advanced in postseason play.
  • The department set new all-time records for overall GPA, community service hours, social media following, livestream viewership, and annual fundraising this year.
  • Facility improvements were abundant with a new turf soccer/lacrosse field, resurfaced purple tennis courts, a new practice court in the Harp Gym, and more.

As a Division II NCAA college, YHC has 19 sports, with more than 400 student-athletes, representing over 35 states and more than 35 countries across the globe.

"I know it's cliche. But everything has been better than I could have dreamed of. It really has," Bessey said, looking back at his first year. "In addition to the competitive level of all our programs, 85% of our student athletes finished with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and all of them have given back to the community. So, they have been successful on and off the field."

In addition to athletic success on the field, YH Athletics Department has been successful off as well. In addition to the expanded emphasis on academics and community service, the department launched a revamped Mountain Lion Club, which allows fans, alumni, and the community to sign up for parking passes, reserved season tickets, and hospitality passes, which include food, beer, wine, and Coke products during basketball games. In addition, two new annual fundraiser events, a golf tournament in the fall and silent auction in the spring, were started as well, all leading to a new annual fundraising record of more than $600,000, most of which will go towards student-athlete scholarships.

"Our corporate sponsorship, Mountain Lion Club membership, and community involvement in general is up across the board," Bessey said. "We will continue to look to build on our local outreach. We want to continue to grow and be an integral part of this amazing community."

Bessey brings a wealth of experience to Young Harris College, not only in managing an athletic department, but in raising funds for the programs and scholarships involved in a Division II NCAA college. He served as the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations at UNC Asheville before joining YHC on July 1, 2024.

At UNC Asheville, Bessey helped break an annual fundraising record of $2.2 million, and led an external team to new milestones in annual fund donors and revenue - more than $800,000, corporate sponsorship partners and revenue - more than $600,000, and sport-giving donors and revenue - more than $350,000.

Before UNC Asheville, he worked as the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he was one of the fundraising leads for successful capital campaigns, including an $18 million football and lacrosse stadium as well as other capital improvements adding up to over $4 million. He also set new fiscal year annual fundraising watermarks at LR, raising $700,000 in annual Bears Club revenue, over $300,000 in annual corporate revenue, and a one-day total of $130,000 during the annual homecoming golf and auction.

"It's part of the job, in order for our student-athletes to compete at a high level and provide them a great experience, we need the financial backing to provide scholarships, resources, and better training and competition facilities," Bessey said.

Bessey is fitting in, not only on campus, but in the community as well. He and his wife, Dr. Caroline Bessey, have settled in nearby Hayesville, and his wife is a primary care physician at Chatuge Family Practice. The couple has an 18-month-old daughter, Sophie.

"This area is a perfect fit for me and our family, we love it here. People will give you the shirt off their back to help out," Bessey said. "I love that all you have to do is ask. It's never an immediate 'no.' It might not be an automatic 'yes', but it's always a 'let's see what we can do.' I love that. I can work with that."

With a successful year finishing up, the obvious question is, how do you top this in 2025-2026?

"We will continue to set a high standard and do what we do here at Young Harris College, which is building champions in life," Bessey says with a confident smile. "We focus on excellence in everything."

About Young Harris College

Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master's degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.

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