Fairweather Fans=Fairweather Friends?

If it's one thing I can't stand, it's fairweather fans. We all know someone who claims to be for one team and then as soon as they lose, disown that team forever (or until they begin winning again). I felt it appropriate to write about this issue on the eve of what could continue to be the longest losing streak since the 2003-2004 season for our men's basketball team. Roy's boys have lost three games in a row and tomorrow could be the fourth. There could be many reasons for this losing streak. We have a young team and they're still learning how to work together. Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson had to learn to work together, too. It didn't, and doesn't, happen overnight. Or it could be that some people just expect to automatically be good because of the name on the front of their jersey. Despite the reason, we support our team. We hang in there. We grow with them.

It doesn't take much effort to notice how things change once we begin losing. Those fairweather fans start to drop off the radar. On one hand, I get excited about this because it makes everything so much more accessible and my seats that much closer. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder if these same people are also fairweather friends. You know, those who are nowhere to be found when the going gets tough; the ones who are only around when you can do something for them. Could those same people who leave empty blue seats scattered throughout the Smith Center be the same people who leave you on the side of the road with a flat tire? It's not even about the team you support (although if I had my way, everyone would be Carolina fans), it's about loyalty. Pick a team, any team. And stick with it! Show that you can commit and see something through to the end, in good times or in bad ones. That's far more respectable than a flip-flopping, disassociative, only-support-my-team-when-I-can-talk-junk-to-other-people type of fan.


My cousin, Joe, is oftentimes a reminder of a true blue fan for me. I'll ask him his thoughts on an upcoming game and he always replies something like, "Oh, we've got this," as he dismisses any analyst's predictions of a loss for us. Unwavering and loyal. And as a faithful member of Carolina Fever, it's quite possible that you've seen him get plenty of air time on ESPN's family of networks as he stands on the front row of the riser section underneath Carolina's basket. Scoring a seat like this could mean having to arrive up to two hours before the game. Or he could be sitting in the Tar Pit dressed as Darth Vader at a football game (as pictured to the right). And yes, I have a blue wig myself and no, I don't care that you don't wish to be seen with me when I'm wearing it. I was also the only one at College GameDay holding up a UNC sign when visiting my cousin, Anna, at Tennessee. And for that, I got my sign autographed by and a picture taken with Hubert Davis. I bleed Tar Heel blue.




In his book, "Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court," Roy talks about how he doesn't understand why people expect a National Championship year after year, without first acknowledging the hard work required to attain this title. Acknowledging such would eliminate or minimize the unrealistic expectation that consecutive titles could be easily earned. Roy talks about how, in 2005, he returned home from the National Championship game to posters and banners in his yard from fans, boasting that our team and coach were the best. Then 2009 came around...he returned home after winning another Championship to his yard just as he left it, void of any sign that fans had once been there. Roy said he felt like the 2005 Championship was appreciated more than the 2009 one because we weren't regarded as the unanimous pick to win the whole "dadgum" thing. It was expected rather than hoped for. All through the 2008-2009 season, everyone expected us to bring home another Championship, even President Obama. Roy said that someone even had the audacity, the day after winning the 2009 Championship, to tell him that he (the fan) was looking forward to us winning it all again next year as well. Really?! The simmering remains of the fires that were built in celebration on Franklin Street the night before were probably not even cleaned up yet when this fan was wishing away a year in hopes of obtaining another title.

Roy knows a thing or two about loyalty. I have to admit I was selfishly angry when he turned down the Carolina job the first time to remain at Kansas. But after reading his book, it all made sense. He promised his freshman class at Kansas that he would see them through to graduation or when they decided to leave, not him. It was then that I realized I could wait a couple more years for Roy to fulfill his promise to a group of Kansas players and end up at Carolina after holding up his end of the bargain than to have him at that moment as our coach and wonder if he'd eventually turn on us as well. Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. I'm excited to know that Roy is here to stay.



What ever happened to enjoying the ride? There will be ups and there will be downs. Losing something makes you appreciate it that much more when you finally experience it again. It's more fun to hope for something than to expect it. If a person's loyalty to their team is indicative of their loyalty to a friend, I'd prefer to be left standing with one other person in an empty Dean Dome during a losing season than surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans at the end of a winning one.

As for now, I'm still savoring the 2005 Championship. The 2009 Championship was just the cherry on top. That should be music to Roy's ears.

Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred

I am Carolina. Just like my former classmates, current students, those who just attend sporting events, and those who've never stepped foot on campus but are still die-hard fans. I know it sounds cliche' and unoriginal, especially for those of you who attend home football and basketball games and are used to viewing the "I am a Tar Heel" slide show during halftime and television time-outs, but it's true. During the slideshow, we see past and current Tar Heel greats support the Rams Club by stating, "My name is [insert name] and I'm a Tar Heel." Everyone cheers especially loud when it gets to Michael Jordan, Hakeem Nicks, and good ole Roy. We all make Carolina what it is, past and present. This slide show never gets old. For me, at least. Just like the feeling of being in the Dean Dome, on Franklin Street, or singing "Hark the Sound" after athletic events will get me just as excited as the time before.

I'm not sure exactly where it all started. My Aunt Teresa, my mother's oldest sister, was the first one in the family to attend UNC. I'm inclined to think it was at that time that my Nana (pictured) became this crazy intense fan that is so unlike any other part of her life. As long as I can remember, Nana and I watched every UNC basketball game together, dressed in some UNC clothing or another. The only time I heard her raise her voice was in front of the television during these games, where she protested some call from the refs or an intentional foul from another player. Of course it was never over a bad play called by Dean or a turnover from our own players. I'd say we did more jumping and pacing in front of the television than sitting down, but these were the best of times.


I was notified of my acceptance to UNC to receive my Masters of Social Work on February 13, 2006. I can remember the moment quite vividly. I actually fell down in the middle of the driveway holding the letter. I called my mother at work and demanded she come home to see if I read the letter correctly. I was in disbelief that this long-awaited, much-longed-for, hoping and dreaming, if-I-don't-get-into-UNC-I'll-die, moment was actually happening. But it was. So many things flashed in my mind: the Dean Dome, Franklin Street, and that bright color of orange the leaves turn in October near the Old Well. It sounds dramatic, I know, but so true. And I could not wait to get to Chapel Hill. Once there, I tried to soak in everything, knowing that the two years required to complete my program would pass quickly. I oftentimes opted to walk to class instead of catch the bus at the Union like many other students did. Even though walking meant tripping on the uneven bricks that saturate the campus, it allowed me to take in as much as I could and remember these things for the days I'd no longer frequent the campus. The seasons changed, construction began and finished (or didn't finish), people threw frisbees on the perfectly manicured grasses, and sunbathers appeared at the first sight of sun in March. I even thought it smelled different than any other place on Earth. I was in love and I never wanted it to end.

I thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and experiences about Carolina, even if you're not a die-hard fan like myself. I debated on what my blog should be about...after soliciting advice from Facebook friends, I was told to pick something I am passionate about, love, believe in, connects me to a lot of people, and impacts my life. I made a list that included, but not limited to, reality shows, relationships, work, and life in general. I am not an expert in any of these areas. As I thought about it, I felt like my passion to write about the previously mentioned things would eventually dwindle, but I knew that my passion for Carolina would not. I am a lover of all things UNC. March Madness is a year-long mindset for me, not just a description of the atmosphere in March and the play that determines where your basketball team will end up (or not end up) in April. I assume I'll discuss things as they occur...it's now basketball season, so I anticipate quite a few posts on various things related to basketball. I imagine I'll do the same when football rolls around, as well as other events/issues related to Carolina on which I have an opinion. I won't recite stats or delve into 1934 (I just picked a random year) history to support a statement I make, I just plan on saying what I want to say, how I want to say it. The one thing that will be consistently evident in each post, irregardless of topic, is my passion and love for Carolina. I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them.

I may not be on the JumboTron at halftime, but my name is Ashley and I am, and always will be, a Tar Heel.