John Montgomery, who has served as the executive director of The Rams Club at UNC for more than 24 years, announced Monday that he would retire at the end of the 2025 calendar year. The Rams Club is the official athletic booster organization for UNC athletics.

“Sharie and I love Carolina and will always be a part of this special place,” said Montgomery in a statement. “We have had the chance to build a career and life in a place with incredible people who believe in providing life-changing opportunities to talented Tar Heel student-athletes. From the loyal and passionate supporters who believe in our mission to everyone in Chapel Hill who works together to make it all possible, I am glad we had a chance to be a part of this team and community.”

Montgomery is just the third executive director in the 87-year history of The Rams Club. During his tenure, he raised more than $1.2 billion for the UNC athletic department and more than doubled membership in The Rams Club. In 2009, Montgomery was named the Division 1 Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors.

Notable initiatives in Montgomery’s tenure include more than 40 athletics capital projects, the FORevHER women’s sports initiative and individual sport endowments for all 28 of UNC’s varsity programs.

“Throughout his career, John Montgomery has built deep personal relationships with Carolina coaches, staff, supporters and community members through dedication, selflessness, kindness and a passion to support student-athletes,” said athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “He is a true Tar Heel.”

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Baseball Announces $9 Million Gift from Anonymous Donor
The UNC baseball program has announced a $9 million gift from an anonymous donor made through The Rams Club. The gift will go toward the program’s operating endowment, and the donor will match gifts from other fans and supporters to grow the endowment to $25 million. “We are incredibly humbled and grateful for this incredible […]
Chansky's Notebook: Subtly Smart
Seth Reeves, the new executive director of the Rams Club, is destined to have an easier start than his popular predecessor John Montgomery.
UNC Names Seth Reeves as Next Executive Director of The Rams Club
UNC has named Seth Reeves as the next executive director of The Rams Club. Officially known as “The Educational Foundation, Inc.,” The Rams Club is the largest fundraising organization dedicated to supporting Tar Heel athletes and coaches. Reeves will replace the outgoing John Montgomery, who will retire from the executive director position at the end […]
Chansky's Notebook: Mack is Back (Again)
Mack Brown's midcourt ceremony at the Smith Center Monday night was a satisfying end to what had been an awkward UNC football saga.
'This is a Loud Voice': Former UNC Trustee Discusses Push to 'Renovate, Don't Relocate' Dean Smith Center
There are many contentious issues currently being discussed on the UNC campus. But perhaps none are more contentious than the state of the Dean Smith Center and its future. Decision-makers at UNC have reportedly been pushing for a new basketball arena on a parcel of land known as Carolina North, located on the former Horace […]
Chansky's Notebook: Endearing
Seth Trimble endeared himself even further with the UNC fanbase Monday night, scoring a career-high 30 points vs. Louisville.
Seth Trimble Used Challenge from Hubert Davis, UNC Teammates to Fuel Career Night
If you want to know the inspiration for Seth Trimble’s career-best performance against No. 24 Louisville Monday night, you have to go back to a snowy afternoon in Syracuse a little more than 48 hours ago. The Tar Heels were beating the Orange at halftime, but it had little to do with Trimble: the senior […]
Seth Trimble's Career High Leads UNC Men's Basketball Past No. 24 Louisville
Seth Trimble scored a career-high 30 points and UNC withstood a late Louisville rally to beat the No. 24 Cardinals 77-74 Monday night at the Smith Center. HOME DUB.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/SiO0E9lUlM — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) February 24, 2026 Trimble’s 30 points surpassed his previous career high of 27, achieved last season against Dayton at […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men Drop to No. 18, Women Rise to No. 21
The UNC men’s basketball team dropped two spots to No. 18 in the latest AP Poll, while the women’s team rose one spot to No. 21. Both polls were released Monday. The men’s team split its pair of games during the past week. The Tar Heels lost badly at NC State Tuesday night in Raleigh, […]
UNC Lacrosse: Men's and Women's Teams Both Ranked No. 1 in Latest Polls
As of Feb. 23, 2026, Chapel Hill is the center of the collegiate lacrosse world. The UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are both ranked No. 1 in the latest Inside Lacrosse polls, which were released Monday. 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭 𝗨!@UNCMensLacrosse joins @uncwlax at the top spot in the Week 3️⃣ @kanefootwear Media Polls. pic.twitter.com/ckKe35KDZT — […]
›