GREENSBORO, N.C. -- George Hoyle was raised with the belief that one should leave the world better than you found it.
 
Thanks to his memorable time at UNC Greensboro (UNCG) as a student-athlete, Hoyle is certainly doing that by paying it forward and positively impacting the lives of Spartan student-athletes through his dedicated philanthropy. 
 
"My experience as both a student and an athlete at UNCG was incredible," Hoyle said. "Of course, men's soccer, being a part of a storied program, with five national championships, and playing under a legendary coach, Michael Parker, was a driver of my passion for UNCG Athletics. However, I was a two-sport athlete growing up, so my love of basketball rivals that of soccer.
 
"Fortunately, I have been able to support both at UNCG. I am very passionate about helping to build a championship brand for UNCG Athletics, which not only benefits the student-athletes at UNCG, but impacts positively our broader UNCG community, and Greater Greensboro."  
 
Born in Queens, N.Y., Hoyle moved to Winston-Salem when he was six months old. He's the middle child in a Catholic family of five kids.
 
Hoyle, along with his wife Kathleen, are co-chairs with Vanessa Carroll of The Campaign for Champions, which is an initiative that commemorates five championships won by UNCG athletic programs during the 2017-18 season by raising $5 million to invest in UNCG Athletics, and build a lasting, winning tradition for the Spartans. 
 
There has been $2.8 million raised toward the goal of $5 million. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the philanthropic spirit has shined and helped UNCG's 225 student-athletes reap immediate rewards. Student-athletes are already enjoying the recently completed Academic Success Center. 
  
The renovated Speed, Strength & Conditioning Center opened last Monday. The third project, the Men's Basketball Nutrition Center and Player & Recruiting Lounge will be done later this year.
 
After graduating with a degree in communication, Hoyle started in financial services, eventually co-founding his company, Compass Financial Partners in 2002, which today is a nationally-recognized leader in providing retirement plan consulting and investment advisory services. 
 
Hoyle began giving early soon after graduation especially after he realized how important his experience was at UNCG. He felt an obligation to give back to an institution that had given him so much. 
 
"We have built our family and our business here in Greensboro, so I was able to stay engaged with the school and support it both financially, and by showing my Spartan spirit attending games and events," Hoyle said. "Personal philanthropy became important to me when I realized that donating my time and treasure, however small, to a cause I cared about felt good.
 
"The knowledge that you are helping others is hugely empowering and fulfilling. Giving to, and supporting UNCG athletics has afforded Kathleen and me the experience of being both personally meaningful and fun for our entire family." 
 
Hoyle has two kids Libby, who is 11, and George, who is 4. As a student-athlete, he learned the value of teamwork, time management, work ethic, and perseverance.
 
"As a student-athlete at UNCG, and I can tell you with absolute certainty I would not be where I am today without the life-changing experience I had as a Spartan," Hoyle said. "My UNCG education and athletic experience shaped me, and put me on an amazing path, and for that, I am forever grateful. UNCG helped to mold me, provided structure, discipline, and put me on a path where I could be successful in life. That is why this effort is so meaningful to me, personally."