FAN FOR A DAY: UNC CHAPEL HILL

Whether you are at UNC Chapel Hill for a noon football game, an afternoon game, or a night game, start your day off right at Merritt’s Grill. Since 1929, they have been dishing up simple, delicious meals. However, the BLT is what you really want to go for. I got the Baby BLT, which was quite satisfying, but they also have bigger BLTs for the hungry customer! Order your food at the counter, and within five to 15 minutes, your order will be ready. There is a small area to eat inside, but there are tons of outside tables in front and in back of the restaurant. Do not worry about parking, as there are plenty of spots to the side of Merritt’s, and across the street.

the band played as the fans filled in the seats before the game

Speaking of parking, click on the Tar Heels’ website to learn all about the parking options that the school has to offer. We were in a lot that was 30 minutes away from the campus on foot. Depending on the timing of your game, walk around campus and enjoy some of the wonderful things the university has to offer! For example, head over to the Old Well, which served as the primary source of drinking and bathing water for the school when it first opened. If the well looks a little familiar to Francophiles, that is because the current structure is based on the Temple of Love at Versailles! Legend has it that if you sip from the well, it will bring good grades!

To experience a bit of nature (and it is not the end of football season when everything is bare), consider walking around Coker Arboretum (which is right on campus) or mosey a little further away to the North Carolina Botanical Garden. If you find yourself needing a pick me up, head over to Carolina Coffee Shop, which is right on Franklin Street. Not only does this street border the campus so it is very convenient, but there are many shops and restaurants that you can go into! Unfortunately, there is always a chance of inclement weather, so consider taking some time to duck into the Morehead Planetarium, the first planetarium in the US built on a university campus! This isn’t just any planetarium: real astronauts like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin actually trained here.

If you have the chance to eat dinner in Chapel Hill, I highly recommend the Greek spot Kipos. The atmosphere and staff are warm and inviting, and the food is incredible. On the off chance that you aren’t stuffed when you arrive at the game, there are plenty of food options at Kenan Memorial Stadium. You have the likes of Bojangle’s, Papa John’s, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts, and even BLTs and banana pudding from Merritt’s Grill if you missed going in the morning! Truly, an elite plethora of concessions. Note that you can buy beer at this stadium.

The atmosphere at the stadium is really entertaining, with the student section bringing the most school spirit. When there are stops due to the need for commercial breaks, the school does a lot to keep the fans engaged with t shirt canons, prizes, and games. Like many stadiums, Kenan Memorial has its own bag policy, which you can read about here. Note that once you leave the stadium, you are not allowed back in.

Know before you go:

·      Main rival games where the attendance will be the busiest and the crowds will be the loudest are as follows: Duke, NC State, and Virginia

·      Be aware of opposing teams’ colors! UNC Chapel Hill fans wear Carolina blue and white.

·      UNC Chapel Hill is called the “Tar Heels” because the state was a leading producer of supplies for the naval industry many moons ago. Specifically, many of the workers who produced tar and pitch often went barefoot and got tar on their heels. In fact, to call someone a “tar heel” was to allude to the fact that they worked in a lowly trade. During the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers reclaimed the nickname as a positive, and called themselves “tar heels.” Finally, when UNC teams began to participate in sports, they knew what to call themselves to pay homage to the state – the Tar Heels!

·      The origin of a ram as North Carolina’s mascot dates back to the 1920s, inspired by star fullback Jack Merritt, who was known as the “battering ram.” The ram mascot is named Rameses, portrayed by both an anthropomorphic version of him in a Tar Heels jersey, and a real live Dorset Horn sheep who attends UNC football games with his horns painted Carolina blue. Be sure to look for him on the sidelines!

·      When you hear the word “Tar,” shouted from the student section known as the “Tar Pit,” be sure to answer the call and cheer “Heels”!