As basketball season starts, there’s a familiar buzz in Chapel Hill. I know this feeling well – the excitement, anticipation, and pride that come with being part of UNC basketball. But being a senior now, it hits a little differently. UNC basketball is more than a sport, it’s a brand that’s embedded in our college experience, connecting us in ways that stick with us even after we leave Chapel Hill.
Steeped in tradition, names like Dean Smith, Michael Jordan and Roy Williams serve as symbols of excellence and the values passed down to each new class of students. This sense of history connects us to those who came before us. As a senior, it’s a reminder that we’re a part of something greater than ourselves.
UNC basketball is also about the energy and passion it inspires. The student section packed with painted faces, the intensity in the Dean Dome, and the thrill that follows a big win all contribute to a feeling that unites us. That shared passion is a cornerstone of the UNC basketball brand; it’s a bond that keeps us all invested, even after we leave campus.
I’ll never forget my freshman year, when UNC made it to the national championship. Campus was electric, and each game brought everyone together in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Watching those games with friends, caught up in the highs and lows, made me realize how much UNC basketball means here. We didn’t win the title, but that run to the championship is something I’ll always remember.
As I prepare to graduate, I know the UNC basketball brand will continue to be part of my identity. It’s a reminder of the memories, the values, and the sense of belonging that define my time at UNC. Even during my study abroad in Paris last spring, seeing someone in Carolina Blue or watching a game brought me back to Chapel Hill, to the unique feeling of being part of something that’s both local and global, personal and collective. UNC basketball will always represent the pride and unity of the Tar Heel community – and for me, it’s a lasting reminder of what makes UNC unforgettable.