Bleeding Carolina Blue

Fall is a very special time of year in Tar Heel Country.  Fall brings about weekly events which pack more than 60,000 Carolina Blue clad fans into Kenan Stadium.  These games fought hard by the Heels, win or lose, always bring out my full range of emotions.

Starting just hours before the game, I gather with hundreds of other Carolina diehards at the base of the belltower for the pre-game walkthrough.  To the sound of clapping and roaring chants, everyone’s attention focuses on giving the home team a warm welcoming, letting them know that we are proud to be there for them.  As the stadium fills before kickoff, the atmosphere is electric.  Excitement runs high and Tar Heel blue pours into the stadium.  Minutes before the clock runs out to signal game time, the Carolina drum line takes center field to begin a ritual that always pulls the strings of Carolina Blue bleeding heart.  The drum line begins the cadence that brings the Tar Heel Marching Band onto the field and then “Here Comes Carolina.”  As the band moves across the field forming the words “CAROLINA” and “TAR HEELS,” then move to form the ever recognizable interlocking NC, an immense amount of pride wells up inside every student, alumni, and North Carolina fan alike.

As the bells toll to welcome the home team to the field, I always find myself saying, “WOW!  How great it feels to be a Tar Heel!”

When the game has concluded, no matter the outcome, it always send chills down my spine when thousands of Tar Heels link together to celebrate the great university we all love by singing the alma mater, “Hark the Sound.”