Written in September 1998
...and that's only a technicality (except to UNC journalism students and grads; ok, officially it's 2 words)! I've only been a CarolinaFan for 25 years, but I've seen it written (spoken is the same) many different ways. Personally, I prefer to say, "I'm a CarolinaFan (Carolina fan, UNC fan, or fan of the University of North Carolina)!!!" You'll rarely catch me saying, "I'm a Tar Heel (Tarheel, tarheel, etc.) fan." I wonder why?!! (wink) And, you'll also hear I'm an "ABC" fan. Most of the CarolinaFans understand that means "Anybody But Carolina". You'll NEVER see "ABTH" (Anybody But Tar Heels) fan. Seems to emphasize the word Carolina, not Tar Heel. Also, we have this "thing" with the University of South Carolina regarding who is the REAL Carolina! Well, that's a no brainer! We ARE!!! UNC was founded before USC; therefore we went by Carolina first. (Sorry Eddie F. and John F. of Metro) Nuf said... And to the Ram Man there is something magical about saying "I'm a CarolinaFan", rather than Tar Heel fan. Although I do enjoy yelling the age old (way before goheels.com) cheer... "Go Heels!!!"
Speaking of goheels.com... the Internet extension for the voice of the Tar Heel Sports Network. I like Woody and Mick, and have listened to them for as long as you have. But recently Art has been getting too much negative press! He appears to have a single focus although professing to spread the gambit. Have you read his books on Carolina Football? Oh yeah, he only wrote books on Dean and Carolina Basketball. He never really apologized for a mistaken "single focus" or appearance thereof, but rather cast the blame on ESPN on the placement of sound bites. Ouch, that really bites!!! the Ram Man lets you decide.
So, the Ram Man is a HUGE CarolinaFan, and that's why I developed CarolinaFan.com! (never even thought of the URL TarHeelFan.com til now)
I love the University of North Carolina, have Ram's Club (Educational Foundation member) status of Big Ram, have my name on the Kenan Stadium donor wall, and cheer for all Carolina sports! Besides... since I was 5 years old, my favorite color was light (Carolina) blue! By the way, I love the saying... if God wasn't a CarolinaFan, why is the sky light (Carolina) blue? State fans hate this, while others just frown! (smiling)