The Bobcat Nation

** Rabble Rouser Alert **

I've been noticing a quite high number of die-hard UNC fans on this board ... and that puts a lot of questions in my mind.

The first is ... for those who are so loyal to UNC ... why?

What is your connection to that campus? Have you ever been to Chapel Hill? Was your wubby powder blue during your formative years? Were you a fan of all of the opposing minor league baseball teams in "Bull Durham," which led you to hate all things in Durham, which led to you hating Duke, which made you a UNC fan by virtue of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Are you a major shareholder in a tobacco company? Are you one of the few people outside of North Carolina to not only know what a Tarheel is, but to actually have one as a pet (which is either kinky or illegal, depending on your arrangement)? Are you related to Dean Smith?

Rabble rabble rabble ... rabble.

I just fell in love with Dean Smith's attitude and coaching style in the very early 80's. I was also a big Sam Perkins fan. What solidified my loyalty was reading Deans books. When I think of how a program should be run I look towards Dean Smith's North Carolina team. Class, respect, innovation, and leadership. Plus his philosophy can be applied to business and life in general.

Remember:
UNC = U of North Carolina
UNC never means U of Norhther Colorado

This may sound like a lie, but he first college basketball game I remember watching was when Jordan hit the 17 footer to win the NC for Carolina. My dad and I rushed home to catch about the last 10 minutes of the game. Obviously what Jordan did since then goes down in history, but I have been a die-hard ever since.

Mine might be weaker, but growing up a Bobcat fan and a huge basketball fan it was hard to not have a team that I could cheer for on more of a national stage. Being a huge Michael Jordan fan I learned a little about UNC, started to learn more about Dean Smith and that became my other team at about age 9 or 10. Then from there it just grew. I have followed them ever since.

Have I been there? Not yet, but someday I will make the trip to Chapel Hill.

Also how can you not cheer for a school that has produced: James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Joe Forte, etc, etc, etc.

mslacat wrote:I just fell in love with Dean Smith's attitude and coaching style in the very early 80's. I was also a big Sam Perkins fan. What solidified my loyalty was reading Deans books. When I think of how a program should be run I look towards Dean Smith's North Carolina team. Class, respect, innovation, and leadership. Plus his philosophy can be applied to business and life in general.

Remember:
UNC = U of North Carolina
UNC never means U of Norhther Colorado

From what I understand from some folks in Colorado, UNC stands for "University of No Credit."

Hmmmm ... rabble, rabble, rabble, front-runners, rabble, rabble, rabble.

mslacat wrote:I just fell in love with Dean Smith's attitude and coaching style in the very early 80's. I was also a big Sam Perkins fan. What solidified my loyalty was reading Deans books. When I think of how a program should be run I look towards Dean Smith's North Carolina team. Class, respect, innovation, and leadership. Plus his philosophy can be applied to business and life in general.

Remember:
UNC = U of North Carolina
UNC never means U of Norhther Colorado

I've always been a fan of how stoned Sam Perkins looks.

Bay Area Cat wrote:** Rabble Rouser Alert **

I've been noticing a quite high number of die-hard UNC fans on this board ... and that puts a lot of questions in my mind.

The first is ... for those who are so loyal to UNC ... why?

What is your connection to that campus? Have you ever been to Chapel Hill? Was your wubby powder blue during your formative years? Were you a fan of all of the opposing minor league baseball teams in "Bull Durham," which led you to hate all things in Durham, which led to you hating Duke, which made you a UNC fan by virtue of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Are you a major shareholder in a tobacco company? Are you one of the few people outside of North Carolina to not only know what a Tarheel is, but to actually have one as a pet (which is either kinky or illegal, depending on your arrangement)? Are you related to Dean Smith?

Rabble rabble rabble ... rabble.

I'll bite...my dad was born and raised in North Carolina and grew up a UNC Fan and a Duke Hater. He went to UNC for alittle while and wrestled for them for a short period of time...obviously before I was born, before he went into the military as a career. So I guess I grew up with it in the family and that is why I am a Tarheel fan. On top of idolizing Dean Smith for his coaching and how he conducted himself on a personal level. RTB, road trip to Chapel Hill...think about it!

On another note. I can only wish that I was related to Dean Smith and one of my dreams is to go watch a game (any game but preferably a Duke/Carolina game) at the Dean Dome.

On another unrelated, yet related note, for those of you who are UNC fans, I suggest reading To Hate Like This is to be Happy Forever about the Carolina/Duke rivalary.

Bay Area Cat wrote:Hmmmm ... rabble, rabble, rabble, front-runners, rabble, rabble, rabble.

(In best Eric Cartman voice)

I hate you so very very much.

coachouert wrote:

Bay Area Cat wrote:Hmmmm ... rabble, rabble, rabble, front-runners, rabble, rabble, rabble.

(In best Eric Cartman voice)

I you so very very much.

i think we need to turn this into a "lets figure out a way to stop the brainwashing that is turning some potentially pretty good Duke fans into fans of that other school..

I agree with Hells.

Not totally off topic, but funny!

Chris Webber has reached a buyout with the Sixers for the last 1 1/2 years on his contract and will be waived on Thursday. You know Webber; he just wants a timeout.

LTown Cat wrote:This may sound like a lie, but he first college basketball game I remember watching was when Jordan hit the 17 footer to win the NC for Carolina. My dad and I rushed home to catch about the last 10 minutes of the game. Obviously what Jordan did since then goes down in history, but I have been a die-hard ever since.

That was awesome. First game I remember was in '79, Magic/Bird.

For Hells and Rook:

(Chanting)

If you can't go to college go to State
If you can't go to State go to jail
If you can't go to jail go to Hell
Go to Hell Carolina go to Hell
Go to Hell Carolina go to Hell

I thought you were talking about Northern Colorado fans when I first starting reading this post. I couldn't quite get the Bull Durham link due to this line of thinking. Goes to show how much I pay attention to basketball!

Interesting subject. I've been a Heels fan since the early 80's when they had the Worthy, Perkins, Jordan, etc. teams. I was pre-teen and in my formative years at that time so all of my favorite teams were teams that were successful then -- Heels, Dodgers, Broncos, Bobcats. I'm pretty loyal to my teams so I've just continued to follow them. I've been to Chapel Hill and visited campus but haven't seen a game in the Dean Dome. I've seen the Heels live several times in NCAA tournaments including some of their biggest wins (93 title in New Orleans) and losses (loss in Seattle to Weber State).

I will say that I'm very conscious of the Tar Heels bandwagon and it is rare that I wear Tar Heel gear anymore. I watch nearly every game all season long but just don't necessarily feel I've earned the right to outwardly claim that I'm a Tar Heel. I'm sure the Tar Heel bandwagon drives the NC State fans absolutely nuts just like the Grizzly bandwagon drives me nuts so I try to be sensitive to the situation.

Duke Sucks!

NoGriz wrote:I will say that I'm very conscious of the Tar Heels bandwagon and it is rare that I wear Tar Heel gear anymore. I watch nearly every game all season long. Duke Sucks!

That is funny I am the same way. When I was a teenager I used to wear a lot of UNC stuff, but then I realized about 80% of the people wearing the gear had no idea who the heels were. I have lots of stories from working in a sporting goods store and selling UNC gear to people that had no clue on anything Tarheel related. Now the only UNCish shirt I wear much is my PUKE basketball shirt.

rtb wrote:

NoGriz wrote:I will say that I'm very conscious of the Tar Heels bandwagon and it is rare that I wear Tar Heel gear anymore. I watch nearly every game all season long. Duke Sucks!

That is funny I am the same way. When I was a teenager I used to wear a lot of UNC stuff, but then I realized about 80% of the people wearing the gear had no idea who the heels were. I have lots of stories from working in a sporting goods store and selling UNC gear to people that had no clue on anything Tarheel related. Now the only UNCish shirt I wear much is my PUKE basketball shirt.

I got drunk in college and got a UNC logo tatooed on my leg. I guess I don't need to wear apparel either anymore.

DevilHawk wrote:For Hells and Rook:

(Chanting)

If you can't go to college go to State
If you can't go to State go to jail
If you can't go to jail go to Hell
Go to Hell Carolina go to Hell
Go to Hell Carolina go to Hell

Duke is the king of everything basketball

Duke is the king of obnoxious, whiny spoiled brats of privilege. Is that how you define basketball?

Wojo, Collins, Laettner, Parks, Meeks, McRoberts, Ferry (literally), Melchionni -- who is going to be the next whiny bi$%h to carry the torch?