Hawks great Mat Campbell has declared his mission on a new advisory committee will be to ensure the NBL club remains in the Illawarra in the long-term.
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On Friday, Campbell left as general manager with mixed emotions.
As a title-winning player in 2001, 'Soup' is one of five with his number retired by the club and a singlet hanging in the rafters at WIN Entertainment Centre.
As an administrator, Campbell carried the 'Save the Hawks' torch in 2009, when Indian mining magnate Arun Jagatramka agreed to a $1 million guarantee, just minutes before the relaunching NBL's deadline to survive.
Campbell also led the club through the tumultuous period after Simon Stratford took over from James Spenceley in 2018, then collapsed and was liquidated this year.
He was still standing when the new ownership group, backed by NBA executive Bryan Colangelo and Sydney businessman Dorry Kordahi, took charge.
But the burden took its toll and Campbell has agreed to step away, as the Hawks try to rebuild with new coach Brian Goorjian.
The protector of a near-disastrously under-funded and under-staffed organisation, Campbell has earned a break.
Still he is vowing to maintain the fight, as he co-ordinates a new advisory group to help outline the strategic direction of the Hawks - who dumped the Illawarra name as part of the agreement between the new owners and the NBL.
The committee has been a long-held dream of Campbell's, to help expand the corporate reach and expertise of the perennial NBL battlers.
"I want to make sure the history of the Illawarra is prominent in decision-making," Campbell told the Mercury.
"There'll be nothing token about it, I wouldn't want to be involved if it was.
"I've worked hard to help the new ownership understand the environment here and suggest new avenues to provide vision and strategic planning.
"I've got mixed emotions leaving as general manager, but I want to make sure the foundation club is here for the long-term."
The morning after Campbell saved the Hawks in 2009, he walked into the Mercury's old offices in Wollongong's Auburn Street beaming.
It was like he'd just stepped into an election-night party to declare victory - and even the grizzled journalists in the room celebrated the breathtaking significance of what he'd achieved by securing the Hawks future.
They made the grand final series in 2009-10, losing to the Wildcats in Perth in the deciding third game.
Campbell is now adamant Kordahi and the Hawks have a similar opportunity.
"To be honest the relief is kind of similar," he said.
"The similarities to the 'Save the Hawks' campaign are there and I'm confident with the investment and with Goorjian's involvement, they can be successful.
"Everything has been on the backburner because of COVID-19, but with the delayed season in January or even February, the Hawks have a huge opportunity to make it work."
While fans and the business community maintain fears about the future after dumping the Illawarra name, Campbell shed light on the investment in the roster the new owners have made.
The NBL soft salary figures are not public, but Campbell put the money spent in clear terms.
"We're now right there in the middle of the league in terms of salary cap spend, whereas last season we were clearly last," he said.
"And money doesn't buy championships, the Kings have shown that in past years.
"But you look at Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, they're all there because the financial backing gives them the opportunity to be there.
"The Hawks have to be able to be competitive in this market and the new owners have given us the chance to be."
It'll be 20 years since winning the NBL title next season and Campbell is adamant one of the keys to success and fan support is keeping a core group of players at the club.
The likes of Campbell, Glen Saville, Tyson Demos, Oscar Forman, AJ Ogilvy and Tim Coenraad are just a handful of those more recently in for the long haul. Daniel Grida, Emmett Naar and Sam Froling are now among those Hawks prospects.
Spending more time with family and surfing with former Hawks coach Matt Flinn are among his immediate priorities now.
"We've been punching above our weight at the Hawks for a long time," he said.
"The staff and those around the club have been absolute superstars.
"I'm just looking forward to having a drink and watching the Hawks play, I've spent more time in tunnels and functions than being able to cheer them on."