The University of North Georgia (UNG) has announced a new partnership with WHOOP, naming the wearable technology company as the inaugural partner of UNG’s Institute for Peak Performance (IPP). This collaboration aims to enhance the performance and well-being of student-athletes and cadets through cutting-edge biometric tracking.
As part of the initiative, selected cadets and student-athletes have been provided WHOOP bands for the spring 2025 semester. These wearable devices will allow participants to monitor key performance indicators such as sleep quality, recovery levels, heart rate, and physical strain. The real-time data feedback is designed to help them optimize their training and overall well-being while also receiving health education as part of the program.
“We’ll be outfitting the UNG Corps of Cadets and student-athletes with WHOOP to help them unlock performance, optimize recovery and achieve their peak potential,” Todd Stiefler, vice president of Government and Defense at WHOOP, said. “As a federally-designated senior military college, UNG plays a critical role in shaping the future force. The Institute for Peak Performance is a forward-thinking initiative that unites cadet leadership, athletics and health sciences — all focused on developing tomorrow’s leaders. WHOOP is thrilled to bring the best performance technology to these outstanding young men and women. We can’t wait to see the impact of this partnership.
The IPP leverages expertise from UNG’s Cadet Leadership Academy (CLA), Athletics Department, and College of Health Sciences & Professions to drive performance excellence. The program aligns with three key institutional objectives: delivering the “Corps of the future,” building a top-tier Division II athletics program, and fostering workforce development.
“WHOOP’s wearable bands will provide a significant opportunity to create awareness for our students and influence behavioral change. Wearable devices like the WHOOP band will be foundational in our efforts to encourage and enable holistic health and fitness in student-athletes and members of the Corps of Cadets,” retired Col. Bryan Kirk, interim director of the IPP and associate vice president and chief of staff for the CLA, said. “This inaugural partnership with WHOOP is the first of many opportunities IPP is pursuing to teach, train and transform the understanding and performance of our UNG student-athletes and cadets.”
Participants in the program have already begun experiencing the benefits of WHOOP technology. Grace McGill, a cybersecurity sophomore and dual member of the Corps of Cadets and women’s soccer team, finds the data invaluable in managing her demanding schedule.
“I’m a data geek,” McGill said. “Those data aspects can help me recover better and they’re really interesting for me.”
Baseball player Edwin Bowman IV, a management junior, was eager to participate after seeing the benefits of WHOOP firsthand through his brother. The ability to track his recovery and strain levels has deepened his understanding of athletic performance.
“I always had an interest in how different strains of what I do throughout the day have on my body. I was 100% in,” Bowman said. “I would like to see how these recovery numbers affect my performance on the field.”
