What About the UNC Tarheel's Mascot?

Well, I  knew the two stories about how the Tarheel name came about, but I never was sure why their mascot is a ram.  I just figured that having someone running around dressed up like a foot's heel with black on it might look a bit peculiar.  Kind of like Alabama's use of an elephant as opposed to someone dressed like a Red Tide.

Here's the story behind the ram.

In 1924, the UNC football team had a popular player named Jack Merritt, who was called "The Battering Ram."  The head cheerleader decided it would make for a perfect mascot.

Over the years, UNC has had live rams and costumed rams.

Well, That's How Come the Ram.  --RoadDog

STUPID LAWS IN THE UNITED STATES:  In Indiana, bathing is prohibited during the winter.

What Exactly Is a Tarheel?-- Part 3: A Civil War Connection

Another story as to how the name Tarheel came about comes to us from the Civil War.

At a battle during the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers were getting on the case of some soldiers from another Confederate state for rapidly leaving (running) a battlefield when things got rough.  They threatened to put tar on the heels of the soldiers from the other state to help them "stick" better in battle.

General Robert E. Lee. when he heard about it is supposed to have said "God bless the Tarheel boys."

So perhaps the name comes from Robert E. Lee.

Now, I Suppose, There Will be Some Offended By the Idea That the Name Came From the Confederacy So the Name Might have to Be Changed So As Not to Hurt Their Feelings.  --RoadDog

What Exactly Is a Tarheel?-- Part 2: A Revolutionary Story

According to the UNC Athletic Department, there are two explanations to how the term Tarheel came into usage.

The first one takes us back to the American Revolution.  The story goes that British troops under General Lord Cornwallis were fording a river in eastern North Carolina on their march to Yorktown.  They discovered that their feet were covered with tar, a product of the state's abundant pine trees.

Some say that North Carolinians had dumped tar in the river to slow down the British advance.

The British were said to have observed that if you wade into a North Carolina river you'd get tar on your heels.

Hence, Tarheels.  Get It!!  --RoadDog

What Exactly is a Tarheel?-- Part 1: And What About their Mascot

From Al.com.

Just last Monday, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tarheels beat Villanova in a close game to win the NCAA Nation basketball Championship for 2017.  Of all the "Big Guys" in college basketball, the Tarheels are my favorite, so i was happy.

But, inquiring minds in Alabama wanted to know what a Tarheel is.  And what about that ram mascot?

Of course, I would like to know what a Crimson Tide and elephant have to do with the University of Alabama myself?

According to the UNC-Chapel Hill athletic department, there are two stories as to how the name came to be.  One dates to the American Revolution and a dastardly deed committed by Americans on the unsuspecting British soldiers.

The other explanation deals with soldiers razzing one another during the Civil War.

More On This Later.  --RoadDog

Congrats to the UNC Tarheels!!

Sure had a great time watching this whole NCAA Tournament.  As usual, they did a good job matching teams up.  Lots of good games.

And, the Championship game last night sure lived up to its hype.  We had two really good teams.  I am a UNC-Chapel Hill fan first, but was also pulling for Gonzaga.  And, it was much closer than the final score would make it look.  With just under a minute left, Carolina led by just one point and then the Zags went cold.

Makes up for last year's Championship loss to Villanova for Carolina.

I paid particular attention to the Carolina introductions.  Lots of juniors and seniors.  That is the way to build a team, not like Kentucky which usually has just freshman playing for one year before jumping to the NBA.

Great Game.  Great Tournament.  Great Time.  --RoadDog