Simply because I can’t help myself and I need to share the Carolina love.
This picture is priceless.
Here’s what you need to know to truly understand the value of this picture: see those four handsome men? Those are four all-star Carolina basketball alums (from left to right): Vince Carter, Julius Peppers, Makhtar N'diaye & Antwan Jamison. All of them played ball during my four years at Carolina and I cheered them on faithfully, sometimes to the point of losing my voice. What Tyler Hansborough, Wayne Ellington and Tyler Lawson will be to my cousins Phillip and Megan is what those guys are to me.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be on one of the most famous college main streets after winning the NCAA basketball championship? Thanks to some guys from The Daily Tarheel (Carolina’s outstanding student newspaper), you can see it for yourself. Witness the joy and madness known as Franklin Street…
{Please note: See that lit up rooftop with the white railings across the way? That’s Top of The Hill, one of the best places to watch the game, eat good find, drink amazing locally brewed beer and watch the celebration without getting smashed in the riotous mass.}
Isn’t that CRAZY?!? In case you hadn’t figured it out, those orange circles amongst the crowd are bonfires. I don’t know where the tradition started but the big thing to do on a Franklin Street celebration is to light bonfires and then jump across them. Amazingly enough, I don’t think anyone has ever fallen in.
One of my sweetest memories of the 2005 Championship win was welcoming the team back home down at the Dean Dome. Luckily enough, it took place just after school and I invited any of my students that wanted to go with me to see our winning team in person. Three opted to go with me and several others went with their families as well. Do you know how excited I was to share my Carolina love with my kids? Um, it was ridiculous how much.
I couldn’t be at this year’s homecoming but found this video which, well…I’m not going to lie, I cried like a baby when I watched it, I was that proud.
Y’all, thanks for indulging my Carolina love the last few days. I’m so grateful for the college experience that I had and how I’ll carry it with me forever. When we finally get around to the kid thing, Jason’s going to have to work extra hard to get some of that Tennessee Volunteer in, don’t you think?
GREAT post!
ReplyDeletehaha I feel the same way about Georgia football. but since our season sucked - at least you actually have something to be celebrating! :-)
ReplyDeleteSince I live not far from Chapel Hill, we had all the news stories about the game and the happenings in Chapel Hill and I enjoyed seeing all the celebrations. They said on the news that despite the large crowds, there were few incidents that night. I have never seen so many bonfires that kids were jumping over. What great memories for those kids. Class was cancelled on Tuesday, they said on the news. Congratulations to your Tarheels. Even though I didn't go there (I graduated from UNC-G) I was still proud that they won, since they are the homestate team!!!
ReplyDeleteLove & blessings from NC!