Spring Game Celebration!
April 22, 2001

You should have been at He's Not Here in Chapel Hill last night after the spring game.  My friends at insideCarolina.com, Buck, Bas, and Mac, along with some primaries from The Tar Pit message board, HOAG, BobLeeSwagger, and others, organized one hell of an event, BASH IV.  Coach John Bunting and staff were there along with several hundred Carolina fans.  It was an honor and pleasure to be part of this historical event.  I was wondering how I could do justice to write this up.  There's no better way than to surf through the many posts at Tar Pit Talk.  What I will share with you is my e-mail to a good friend and former player, Bill Span.

Bill, my friend, you missed a very special event that epitomizes the growing passion for Carolina Football! I wish like hell you could have been there. As you requested, I did talk with Broadway and Webster, at separate times. And said I had a message for them from a mutual friend, Bill Span. Then I asked, "are you ready?" With their nod I let go with a "WHAZZUP!" You should have seen their faces and smiles. That was for you, Bill. And now they're convinced that the Ram Man is totally crazy! :)

It was a special event indeed, as you have no doubt read at TTP. What isn't posted there were some of my wonderful experiences. I got to meet several former players, Ike, Pappi, and Johnny Anderson. At one point the 4 of us were standing on the balcony of He's Not Here, throwing down some beers, and talking about Carolina... times gone by, but dear to our hearts, and hopes and dreams that come with the Bunting Era!  What great guys!  It was a pleasure to meet them.

Speaking of John "the Beast" Bunting, I was able to have several one-on-one conversations with him. I tell you this guy is sincere, and full of love and passion for Carolina! And that includes Carolina fans. He truly embraces the fans. He was standing just a few feet away from us with his wife Dawn. They were both having a great time.

One time I was joking, "Hey John, I still have eligibility.  Give me 5 years to get in shape, and I'll kill any quarterback that comes on our turf!"  He got a giggle out of that.  But that's just an example of how inspiring he is.  Mick Mixon said it best today.  "There are 2 kinds of people.  Those who will follow John Bunting anywhere, and those who don't know him yet."  Now that I've met him, I agree whole-heartedly.

One of the things I asked him... I heard you wanted to mingle with the fans tailgating and have a beer with us. He responded not until after the game. I told him that's when we get started. We grill steaks or cater... have a few drinks, and most of all share with our love for Carolina Football. I think he will join us one day.

Another thing I asked him was if he had a nickname. I asked Dawn also. They both said it's always been just "JB". Then I smiled and told them I had given him a nickname since he was hired, and that I had done graphics as such on my site - John "the Beast" Bunting.  Then I explained my thoughts.  Last year down the road a team got Chuckie, the Chest.  To me that's almost like Chuckie, the Pizza Boy.  And not a great connotation.  But John played with great intensity.  He played with unrelenting passion.  He played like a Beast!  And he's bringing that attitude back to Carolina Football.  I felt like the fans who love him should help with an appropriate nickname before the media tagged him with something that may not be flattering.  I think he likes it.  I got a nod and something like, "That's OK."

Another thing I talked with him about was help in getting the "grassroots, hard-core Carolina fans" to away games.  I didn't go into a lot of detail.  But the Rams Club arrangements are expensive.  We need something like charter buses with low costs.  A good friend, Mike, has checked on something like that.  If we could get 50 people a bus, we'd get round trip and one night stay for around $160 per person.  Can you imagine several buses pulling into Austin?  Watch out!  Here comes the Carolina Nation!  I'm supposed to call John next week.

The season ticket mailer included a slogan, "GET YOU GAME FACE ON".  I believe that's a direct statement from John, the Beast to the fans.  Some of us have been doing that for years.  We are intense, and try to bring energy to the team on the field.  Our numbers are growing.  Case in point, the Bash last night.  When we hear down in front, we say up in back.  The passion is contagious!

We need to pack the stadiums wherever the Tar Heels play.  Kenan will come to be standing room only.  And we need to help and encourage the more budget minded die-hard Carolina fans get to the away games.  As the Beast and his great coaching staff build up the players' bodies and minds, he still needs to build their confidence.  What better help could the fans offer than to have the Heels take any field...  look up and see lots of light blue...  passionate Carolina fans with their GAME FACE ON!

You were there in spirit last night Bill.  Oh well, so much for yard work today.  :)  Later dude...

Ram