Steve Kirschner
@UNCKirschner
Followers
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Father of Ryan & Emilie. Jeanne’s much lesser half. This is my personal account. Comments here are my own and do not reflect those of UNC or Carolina Athletics.
Joined July 2009
In light of some recent industry layoffs I saw it asked what does an SID (sports information director, communications, public relations, media relations director) do for a college athletic department. Well okay then, here is a list (surely it’s missing stuff). .
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Hard to believe but it was 10 years ago @UNC_Basketball beat Michigan State on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in San Diego. Blessed to be part of countless special moments at UNC, but this is near the top of the list. #GoHeels
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I hope we never hear again someone from the NCAA say we do what’s best for the students.
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Did you think when @DGreen_14 started one game his first 3 years as a Tar Heel he'd be 9th in NBA Playoff history in three-pointers? Seven in Game 3 vs. Miami, 308 career in playoffs. By the way, he started all 38 games, made 77 3FGs as a senior in 2009 and won a ring.
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Started exactly one game his first 3 seasons at UNC. Stuck with it. Played 15 NBA seasons, made $100+ million, set NBA Finals 3FG record and was a Ray Allen three from being Finals MVP. One of the all-time great people & a hell of a player. Congrats DG!.
It’s been one helluva ride…onto the next chapter. Thank you!.(Checkout the YouTube channel.
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Interesting musical selection by ESPN on the Notre Dame-Duke football game - the great James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind,” pretty much an unofficial anthem of the University of North Carolina. They should know better.
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Thank you to all the SIDs, friends and colleagues who reached out today, many from years past, to check in. Coach Williams retired, which is sad for me because he was the absolute best coach an SID could ever have hoped to work with. I told him the day he took the job his time. .
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He called tonight to say thanks. I asked do I still have to take your phone calls? He said yes, you’re my SID for life. Pretty damn lucky folks.
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Appreciate Pitt SID Matt Plizga securing the ball for us after tonight’s game so we can add to the Carolina Basketball Museum as Armando Bacot becomes 7th Tar Heel ever to score 2,000 points. Class response, Matt. Thanks. #GoHeels.
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Danny Green has already won two rings, broke NBA Finals record for threes, made tens of millions, won NCAA title and got his degree. But he’s an even better person. Never changed. Never big times anyone. Cares about the impact he has on young people. Just a good guy.
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What a game. Most overlooked part is Kennedy Meeks getting the ball inbounds before Cal could call timeout, something Roy drilled on for four years.
I N S T A N T.C L A S S I C. @UNC_Basketball vs. Kentucky in the 2017 #Elite8 was one for the ages. 😱 #TBT
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Wish UNC M-Basketball season had continued on but would be remiss not to thank trainer Doug Halvorsen for his Herculean efforts to help manage Covid protocols allowing Tar Heels to play 29 games w/ just one cancellation that was on us (& that game could have been played). .
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Just that (and some other stuff I forgot) . best freakin’ job in the world if you can’t dunk it hit a curveball but love to spend your life telling stories about those who can.
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People ask why I love being an SID. Every now & then you go to work & host a press conference w/the greatest coach in NFL history, who is now our head coach. GDTBTH and another great day to be an SID. #GoHeels
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Pep a Pro FB Hall of Famer. Could have played in NBA, too. Dunks stunning but remember he had 18 pts in 2001 vs. MD team that won natty the next year, 21/10 in NCAA 2nd rd in '01, key defender in 2000 Sweet 16 win over Vols. Congrats to arguably best UNC athlete ever. #GoHeels
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A lot will be and should be said and written about Eric Montross but be sure to include this one by Adam Lucas. Eric was one of those rare individuals whom I don’t recall anyone saying they didn’t like. Great player, better man. Heaven got a lot better in the post today.
So appreciative of everyone who has reached out and is keeping Eric's family in your thoughts and prayers. These next few days and weeks and months will be everyone processing this unthinkable news in their own way. Mine is writing about it.
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I don’t care what team you pull for, if you can’t feel good about British Brooks missing a season with a knee injury then playing well (as in 103 yds on 15 carries well) a year later, then you just don’t really understand the effort it takes to compete.
A tearful embrace between Mack Brown and @britishbrookss. Brooks missed the entirety of the 2022 season due to injury. In his return to football tonight, he led the #UNC in rushing yards. College Football is back.
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Our guy @JackBaddour may be the Erin Matson of videography. This is his outstanding work as an undergrad. Just wait to see what he does when he graduates….
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Coach Smith wanted to announce by press release. I said with all due respect we can’t do it that way. So he told Coach Guthridge to practice at the same time so the players wouldn’t have to attend. BG said no we can’t do that either. So retirement didn’t start off as planned.
On this date 27 years ago, Dean Smith retired after 36 seasons as head coach of the Tar Heels. #GoHeels #CarolinaFamily
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That post-match interview w/Alja Tomljanovic is an alltime classic. Talk about winning over a crowd of 20,000 people whose party you just ended. Said everything right about Serena. Very well done. Hope she wins it all.
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Thank you, Ben Winterrowd, and the good people at @ClemsonTigers.
Incredibly kind gesture from @ClemsonMBB to honor Eric at our broadcast location for today’s game. Thank you, @ClemsonTigers
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That acronym is used way too often but in this case is spot on. Fav story: when she was just a college star People magazine wrote a feature on Mia. She agreed only if they included photos of her teammates. They said maybe, she said not doing it unless you agree. They said yes.
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Team photo from the 25th anniversary celebration of the national championship won on April 5, 1993 . empty chairs in honor of Coach Smith and Coach Guthridge
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Congratulations UNC field hockey and Karen Shelton on your 9th NCAA Title (3rd straight). Great showcase game for the sport in prime time on national tv. Erin Matson game winner of course. A rocket shot. She’s on short list as one of the best Tar Heels, any sport all time.
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First time for UNC in Allen Fieldhouse since 1960. This is the 118th different venue (incl. one aircraft carrier) I have been lucky enough to watch the Tar Heels play. (Yes I counted…was inspired by @DougTammaro…it was pretty cool to remember some of the great places).
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Congratulations Justin Jackson, an NBA champion (the fourth Tar Heel to win NCAA and NBA rings).
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Here’s hoping we don’t wait another 66 years to play in Allen Fieldhouse again. Thanks to Chris Theisen, Sean Lester and everyone at KU from fans to ushers and staff for the 5-⭐️hospitality. Hope we can return the favor next fall in the Smith Center.
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Congrats Pep! Pro Football Hall of Famer. Maybe best all-around Tar Heel athlete of them all. Always believed he could have played in the NBA. 18 pts vs. Maryland team that won title the next year. 21 pts & 10 boards in '01 NCAA 2nd round. Helped get us to 2000 Final 4. Amazing!
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So pleased for Antawn Jamison (College BKB Hall of Fame). On very short list of nicest players, best players and most appreciative players to ever play for Carolina, or probably any other team. Great, great college player who also was 2x NBA all-star and 20,000-pt NBA scorer.
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What a game! So happy for Erin Matson, the players and UNC, disappointed for Em and a great Northwestern team but excited for the sport. Put on a classic and should continue to be a rivalry for years to come.
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Couldn’t be any prouder. Emilie chose Northwestern, the reigning NCAA champions, from a group of world-class universities & field hockey programs. We are so thankful to her club & high school coaches for helping her get to this point and to the college coaches for recruiting her.
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Find it interesting how quickly certain people want to throw dirt on UNC-Duke rivalry. 6 UNC & 3 Duke coaches have led teams to Final Fours and none, no matter how Hall of Fame worthy they were, made a single basket. Pretty confident the players & coaches will continue to thrive.
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Had the chance to speak to Eric Montross’ teammate Pat Sullivan and Sean May, another Tar Heel national champion center, and they provided some memorable context about the man and his legacy. #GoHeels
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Less than 20 years ago, Carolina had been to four College World Series, most recently 1989. Tar Heels are now Omaha bound for the 8th time in 19 seasons. Amazing! Congrats Mike Fox, Scott Forbes & @DiamondHeels.
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Yes but Bacot is only the second Tar Heel with 25-10-5 against Duke and the first since Charlie Scott in 1970.
Armando Bacot is the first North Carolina player with 20+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists vs Duke since Joseph Forte beat the Blue Devils by himself in February of 2001.
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Northwestern-UCLA another good game and another quality analyst call by Brendan Haywood. No schtick, doesn’t holler, sneaky funny but just tells you something interesting about what he sees. All those postgame interviews he loved doing (ha) paying off.
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Nine threes, 38 points for Cameron. Wow, what a night for a great Tar Heel.
CAM JOHNSON GAME WINNER .
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Communications Duties.Maintain historical archives; .talking points for public speaking; .advise students and coaches on dealing with the media;.confidante for AD, coaches and student-athletes;.special award campaigns;.media training;.
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Congratulations Peter Gammons (@pgammo) on induction tonight in North Carolina Media Journalism Hall of Fame. IMO the Greatest baseball writer ever. Sunday notes column in the Boston Globe set the standard for the entire industry. Daily Tar Heel alum. .
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Greg Barnes is stepping away from the UNC beat for Inside Carolina to spend more time w/family. He will be missed. Never a homer, just an exceptional professional journalist, writer and colleague. One of the best. Wish him and his family well. Always has a seat in our press box.
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Crazy. First women’s soccer NCAA title in 12 years & even the players talk of ending the “drought.” This despite @uncwomenssoccer has won more national titles than any other ACC program ever and only one SCHOOL has won more in all of their sports combined. DYNASTY LIVES. #GoHeels.
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Crushed to hear Bill Walton has passed. Not only hoops royalty but one of the nicest,most genuine people I’ve ever known. Fans saw his on-air persona, but few know how much he prepared for broadcast. Jim Nantz/Woody Durham level of preparation. A beautiful person as he would say.
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Carolina's 51st NCAA championship (ACC best) & 62nd overall national title. @uncwomenssoccer has won 22 NCAA titles (& one AIAW title before the NCAA conducted women's championships). The 22 titles are the fifth most by any program – men's or women's – in NCAA history. #GoHeels.
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was my greatest resource and I would never abuse it. So for 18 years he trusted me to do almost every interview I ever asked him to do and trusted me to tell him what he needed to know, not what I thought he wanted to hear.
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design graphics;.produce short videos;.academic related press releases;.community service press releases;.fan interaction (phone, email, postal, social);.crisis communications specialist;.Creative director;.write, edit and design media guides;.
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Wondering what color mask I will almost assuredly now need to wear again since so many stupid people haven’t been vaccinated. How is it the same people who want to overturn Roe v Wade refuse to be told to get a vaccine that could save lives? Make America Smart Again.
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coordinate media services at home events (manage press box);.Issue media credentials;.parking passes;.media seating charts;.photographer seating charts;.advocate for media;.stadium PA, internal PA;.Weekly release;.Game notes;.
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Manage photo archives;.Regular-season staffing for all home events;.Regular-season travel to most away events;.Post-season travel to most events;.Write Recaps for web site, media list, social;.in-game social media;.In-game statistics;.Coordinate interviews.
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Event preview stories;.Cumulative season statistics;.submit stat files to conference office and NCAA;.Coordinate interviews - non-event;.Nominate conference and national player of the week awards:.coordinate media at practice;.nominations for post-season awards;.
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facilitate TV broadcast coverage (meetings, producer liaison, walk-throughs, interviews, etc…);.Select photos to share with marketing, media, others;.write scripts for PA and marketing;.museum curators (where applicable).
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Just went to the grocery store. Must have seen 40 or so people. One guy — one damn guy - didn’t have a mask on. C’mon people it’s the only way to try and get back to school and play. Wear a mask. It’s for the rest of us, including your family & friends. Wear a mask, save lives.
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Fortunate to be attending my 74th Carolina-Duke game (32nd at Cameron) . this is easily the most bizarre setting ever
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Can someone with more knowledge of college football rules explain why there wasn’t a 10-second runoff at the end of the first half when State had 12 on the field? They were out of timeouts.
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scouting for coaches;.research for coaches for recruiting; graphics, letters, flyers, etc….produce game day programs;.produce game day rosters and flip cards;.
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I moved to Chapel Hill 32 years ago today (not that any of you care but I figured I’d add some words to this retweet). Best job in the world, met my wife here, have two amazing kids and still a great place to live.
From music and dining to trails and parks, Chapel Hill has it all! That's why it routinely ranks as one of the best college towns and places to live. Discover why Tar Heels call Chapel Hill home — not just for the years they are here, but for life #UNC
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Carolina women's tennis wins the 49th NCAA championship for the Tar Heels. The eighth program to win an NCAA championship, joining w-soccer 21, field hockey 10, m-basketball 6, m-lacrosse 5, w-lacrosse 3, m-soccer 2 and w-basketball 1. #GoHeels.
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Tonight I get to watch Carolina-Duke in Cameron for the 34th time (which doesn’t include the intense pickup games we used to play vs. the media and Duke SIDs Mike Cragg, Mike Sobb, Warren Miller and Richard Kilwien back in the day). Some of my memories from these great games:.
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Huge respect to Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman waiting outside the Duke medical tent to check on Duke QB Riley Leonard.
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One of the best ever. Don’t underestimate his impact on the sport & women’s athletics globally. The 22 national championships, the number of Tar Heels on early World Cup & Olympic champs, Mia … this is a true legendary coach stepping away. Thanks, Anson.
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When you set the mark for the most ACC titles (26) at the school with the most ACC championships (290) that’s pretty outstanding. Congrats Coach Matson and the Tar Heels.
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Is there another sporting event that so often delivers such drama, heartache, memorable moments than the NCAA Tournament? Game changes, players & coaches come and go, but seemingly every year we are treated to ridiculously crazy endings. Hate knowing how those UCLA kids feel.
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It never rains in San Diego, but it did all week which scared everyone involved in playing a game outside on a carrier. With 14:00 left in 2nd half, Mich St SID Matt Larson & I felt raindrops. Then it stopped. Twenty minutes after final buzzer, the heavens opened and it poured.
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Look at it this way. Danny Green was probably projected as no higher than the sixth-best NBA prospect on the 2009 NCAA champion Tar Heels. Now the only players w/more threes in NBA Finals history are Steph, LeBron and Klay.
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Emilie earned her share of awards at Hill field hockey state champs banquet. All-America, all-state, all-region and all-league but mom & dad proudest of Academic All-State honors and Hill Pride award for the player who embodies heart, hustle and commitment to the team.
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Condolences to family, friends and teammates of Lennie Rosenbluth, who passed away at 89. Tradition of excellence that is Carolina Basketball has direct tie to Lenny and the unbeaten ‘57 champs but he was an even better gentleman. RIP Lenny and thank you. #GoHeels.
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Three-time national champion, one of the best multi-sport athletes and winningest football coach in Carolina history. Tar Heel royalty at its finest.
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@tpinsonn Running down court and flipping it to Luke Maye worked out pretty well for you, too, Theo.
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Win or lose today it was so cool to have fans back at the Smith Center. Tremendous energy. College sports is made for fans and they brought it today.
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Sad day in sports media, particularly here in North Carolina as the Greensboro and Winston-Salem papers let go four sportswriters. Worked closely with three of them as they covered UNC through the years and my heart goes out to them in these tremendously scary times.
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Rarely at a loss for words, but it’s hard to articulate how disappointed I am that Bob Sutton was let go after 25 years as writer/sports editor in Burlington. He was always there. All the sports, all the games, every major and not-so-major press conference, one constant was Bob.
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60 million people voted for Trump in 2016 and most of those will vote for him again no matter what he says or does, no matter how many crimes he commits or hides as long as he appoints the judges they want, bans the immigrants they don’t and cuts the taxes they can already afford.
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Northwestern field hockey is getting a good one here. Proud of Emilie and equally proud of her big brother Ryan who trained down from Hoboken to surprise her and share her special day. They grow up too damn fast.
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The 22 NCAA championships by @uncwomenssoccer are twice as many as any other program has won as members of the ACC. Of course it’s pretty cool that @UNCFieldHockey is the team that is second all time in ACC history with 11. #GoHeels.
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Chelsea and Wrexham about to kickoff at Kenan Stadium. Gotta say this is very cool.
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So happy for @ReggieBullock35 playing huge role in Knicks’ resurgence earning 4 seed in the East. Sometimes forgotten man in class with Harrison and Kendall but he had a big-time career at UNC and is one of NBA’s top two-way players. Knicks need to secure him for the long term.
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Last night @DGreen_14 at the Lakers: pick up 3rd NBA ring in 12 seasons, make 8 threes, 28 points. Not bad for a guy who started one game in his first three college seasons (started all of them and won NCAA title as a senior).
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Larry Gallo retiring after 50 yrs in athletics. Doesn't matter if you know him, please read the release and see what many of UNC's greats say about him. And notice the common thread - he cares! No exaggeration: as good a person as I have ever met. #GoHeels.
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Coach of USMNT is one of the most second-guessed in all of U.S. sports so congrats to Tar Heel alum Gregg Berhalter and the U.S. squad for advancing to knockout stage at World Cup.
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Em made her first start for the No. 1-ranked Cats in a 6-1 win over UMass.
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Remarkable that Carolina’s 22 top-10 finishes in the Directors’ Cup equals the combined total of every other ACC program. Extraordinary level of consistent success. #GoHeels.
An incredible year for the Tar Heels wraps up with a fourth place finish in the @LDirectorsCup final standings! 🐏🏆. More » #GoHeels x #GDTBATH
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This is my OPINION but one made from having seen quite a few court stormings over the years. Can we please figure out a way to do both: get the principals off the floor safely before the fans rush the court?.
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July 4, 2000, Larry Gallo & I were dispatched to Goldsboro to retrieve Wilber's Barbecue for Coach Williams, Coach Smith, Dick Baddour & their wives as RW was considering the HC coaching move. For 25 years Larry & I have blamed each other for somehow screwing up the order, hah!.
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With win Friday, @uncwomenssoccer becomes 5th Tar Heel program to play in an NCAA championship game with a 1st-year head coach (Damon Nahas). M-lax 1991 (Dave Klarmann), m-soccer 2011 (Carlos Somoano), m-basketball 2022 (Hubert Davis) & field hockey 2023 (Erin Matson). #GoHeels.
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Reminded last night how much we enjoy working a college basketball game. Hope we can finish the season even if it takes until summer if necessary. Even more thankful to have my kids home from school. Made an apple pie this am so off to a good start.
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Carolina field hockey advances to the NCAA Finals behind a historically dominant performance by sophomore Erin Matson. Four goals and numerous other chances in 6-2 win over BC. Ranks with some of the greatest postseason performances by a Tar Heel ever. It was that good.
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Congrats Cats and especially my girl, Emilie (right there front and center), on the national Championship. Hard fought and well earned.
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One of my favorite Tar Heel notes: two players started for 3 different franchises that won NBA championships. LeBron James and Danny Green. #GoHeels.
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Very cool day on the job. Interviewing Hall of Famer and truly a Tar Heel legend Davis Love III at the dedication of the newly-renovated Finley Golf Club. Love Golf Design is the architect and the results are stunning, both the course and the new team practice facility.
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With @UNCFieldHockey and @UNC_wtennis winning NCAA titles this season, it is the 12th time multiple UNC teams have won NCAA titles in an academic year: 1981-82, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2015-16 and 2022-23. #GoHeels.
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ACC Basketball lost a longtime writer and historian today with the passing of Al Featherston. Wrote for many years for Durham Morning Herald and later for Duke and ACC web sites. Genuinely nice man who knew his craft and the game. Condolences to his friends, colleagues & family.
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So ESPN doubles down and plays it again. Clearly the producer isn’t following my clever X feed… wow.
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Reminder that tomorrow’s men’s basketball game vs. Syracuse tips at NOON. It was initially announced as a 1 p.m. start and even appears that way on printed tickets. But was moved to a noon start. #GoHeels.
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NABC College BKB Hall of Fame continues to be very good to UNC but one professional regret is not seeing Lennie Rosenbluth inducted before he died. Hopefully, he will be selected next few years. Lennie most certainly had a Hall of Fame career. Title, NPOY, stats, records, impact.
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I'm a 53-year-old white male who has worked in pro baseball & college athletics since I was 10. Worked with hundreds of black players, students, coaches, refs, media, colleagues and fans. And I can't begin to understand for a second what they have to live with each day.
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Grab a little perspective in a year 550k people have died due to Covid and appreciate we got to play 29 times, win 18 and play in the NCAA T. Not as long as we wanted, but there nonetheless. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the season.
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