WILMINGTON, N.C. - Longtime athletic department fixture Greg Dalton will step down from his post as UNC Wilmington’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Affairs in late December, Director of Athletics Kelly Mehrtens announced today.

     Dalton, 56, is a Wilmington native and played third base for the Seahawks from 1971-74. He worked in private business briefly before returning to his alma mater in November of 1977 and serving 31 years with the athletic staff for five athletic directors.

     “It has been an incredible journey and words cannot express my feelings for UNCW,” said Dalton. “I’ve never thought of my 30-plus years as a job, but rather a career. I’ve enjoyed every minute and can’t imagine what else I would have done.”

     Dalton has overseen the daily internal operations of the department through the years, watching the Seahawks add five sports and triple their number of employees. UNCW has added numerous facilities in Dalton’s tenure, including the Nixon Annex, the Harold Greene Track & Field Complex, the Nixon-Almquist Sports Medicine Center and the Fisher Field House.

     In addition to this regular duties, Dalton has served as the sports supervisor for baseball, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s swimming and diving and women’s swimming and diving.

     “It has been very rewarding to watch our department grow so much,” Dalton added. “Our student-athletes have been very successful inside and outside the classroom through the years and have become leaders in their communities.

     “I’d like to particularly thank Coach Bill Brooks, Paul Miller, Peg Bradley-Doppes, Mike Capaccio, Pat Howey and Kelly Mehrtens for their excellent leadership during my time here.”

     Mehrtens said Dalton has been an invaluable member of the department and will be sorely missed.

     “I have only worked with Greg for a brief time, but have thoroughly enjoyed our relationship,” said Mehrtens. “He has been very instrumental in the tremendous growth this department has seen through the years. Without question, he has meant a great deal to this department, the university and me personally.”

     Dalton and his wife, Jeannie, celebrated their 31^st anniversary and plan to continue their involvement in the program. “I leave with many fond memories and will continue to be an active part of the Seahawk family,” he said.