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University of North Carolina - TAR HEELS |
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Why a Ram for a Mascot - ""Rameses""
In 1924 Vic Huggins, UNC's head cheerleader, decided that Carolina needed a mascot like N.C. State's Wolf
and Georgia's Bulldog. At the time, Jack Merrit, known to his fans as the "Battering Ram," was a popular member of
UNC's football team. Making use of this nickname, Huggins hit upon the idea of a ram as the Carolina mascot. The cheerleader
went to Charles T. Woollen, the University's Business Manager, and asked him to find twenty-five dollars to buy a ram. They ordered
UNC's first mascot from Texas.
TAR HEEL TRADITIONS
As the nation's first state university, The University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill was chartered in 1789 and opened to students in 1795. Carolina was the only
public university to award degrees to students in the 18th century. Since those first few years, this special
place of learning has blended its own traditions with those of the state.
What is a Tar Heel?
The University not only uses the nickname "Tar Heels," but the entire
state does as well. One version of the nickname's origin has the name first being applied to North Carolinians during the
Civil War. One record talks of a battle in Virginia, where their supporting column retreated, but North Carolina troops
fought alone. The victorious troops were asked in a condescending tone by some Virginians, who had retreated, "Any more
tar down in the Old North State, boys?" The response came quickly: "No, not a bit; old Jeff's bought it all up." The
Virginians asked: "Is that so? What is he going to do with it?" The reply: "He is going to put it on you'ns heels to
make you stick better in the next fight."
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