Show me the Money

Shortly after the Nevada game, the remaining sparse crowd celebrated the 600th win of Coach Roy Williams. During the celebratory speech, Coach Williams commented on the thin-ness of the crowd, suggesting that those who didn't come to the small-time games don't deserve to come to the big-time games. If you were there, you know what I'm talking about. The topic of crowd contribution were further discussed by Chancellor Thorp in his most recent blog post.

As a fan, I fully support the sentiments of both Coach Williams and Chancellor Thorp. I particularly appreciate the leadership by example, as shown by Mrs. Thorp, as those in attendance to any game can see her jumping around.

But, there's a but.

What is the reward for the dedicated, everyday fan? I consider my closest friends and family a great example of understanding that life is about the money.

As a student at UNC, I never missed a game, standing in line on Saturdays at 6:00 AM to earn the right to walk into the Dean Dome. My graduation gift in December of 2000 was a small contribution to the Rams Club to get started. We contribute enough annually to secure 4 upper level football tickets in section 228, but don't nearly contribute enough to have season tickets to basketball. As luck would have it, my two friends and I are all employees of UNC and therefore have the privilege (key word there) to purchase 6 season tickets to basketball. We currently sit in section 228A row V, in the corner, behind a video board (unable to see the two showing in-game replays) with 1 row between us and the wall behind.

Since 2000, I can count the number of games we have missed on one hand, and none were by choice. We are always there before tip and always stay until after the scoring totals are given, no matter what the margin of victory or loss, even through 8 and 20.

We've never walked out of a football game early...

We've driven non-stop 1300 miles to Omaha to see the Diamond Heels play...

We are not alone. There are many fans the exemplify what Coach Williams wants in a fan, what Chancellor Thorp wants in a fan. A fan that is enthusiastic, who feels privileged to be there, and who understands that if we expect dedication from tip to buzzer from our players; we as fans must be responsible to do the same.

But what Coach Williams states rings empty, as I stand in section 228A row V clapping, knowing that there is no reward for dedication that can compare to donation or designation.

What I say to you, Coach Williams and Chancellor Thorp, if you believe what you say, then do something about it.

A modest Rams Club contributor (all contributors) can carry an ID card that is scanned along with tickets upon entry to games to build up attendance points...

Seats can be guaranteed until a particular timeout, and then deemed general admission...

Are these feasible ideas? Maybe. Maybe not. But until a reward is given to the dedicated fan, Coach Williams can wish all he wants for seats to be filled at the Nevada game. But his wish will be as likely to come true as mine to be sitting closer to the court because I gave a large donation of dedication.

Home Game Five

Can't believe the game started early!! Long Jump Around. Roy with no jacket must be because the brace.

Home game four

How will we come back from the ny trip? Time will tell. Big Ed inthe loose shirt and big white headphones warming up. Wanda is here already in her box seats. Little Drew in Will's sneakers.

Game three

Here we go! Marshall is here! as are Bullock and Harrison. Welcome to unc! Big Ed in the loose tee again. Roy is in his tan suit.

Game two

Big Ed in the loose tee. Team socks with carolina blue stripe. Shoes with argyle on the bottom edge, sweet looking. Roy in navy, very classy.

Last One Standing

Well the boys did it! 2009 National Champs!!!

Notes from the Game:

-Roy was sporting the pink shirt again. Seems like his rotation of Vera and Pink worked
-Deon and Cope had another new handshake
-Deon in the white shoes and no t-shirt
-You would think by now Nance and Kellogg would know it is Larry Drew the Second not Larry Drew the Third. They are horrible. I wish they would retire.
-How far down do Ty's shorts have to be? He is always pulling down a little lower.
-Good sign: Flood Warning, Severe Wayne Storms.
-Another one: It's Wayning
-Why are the pep band wearing a white Nike Sleeve on one arm?

Post Game Notes:
-Franklin Street was packed...The biggest crowd I have ever seen.

We're Back...Plus One

• Well, Roy was sporting the same attire as the previous rounds, Vera Bradley tie with the Tan sportcoat and Blue plaid design.
  
• I was nervous at the start of the game when I noticed Cope and Deon with a new handshake. No pat down. I felt a little better when I realized Deon was wear the plaid Jordans (AKA Aj's shoes) and no tight tee.
• Wayne was wearing the 8 Nikes. Ty with is new size larger tourney shoes.
  
• Why was D-Green's right hand have tape on his fingers? Injury?
  
• There was a short glimpse of the Twin Tylers...
• I had deja vu seeing Tyler bleeding with Karl Hess. How do we always end up with him? How in the world does the NCAA think he is one of the top Men's Basketball officials?
• Where the Refs trying to keep the Carolina game close?
• Love when Ty beats his chest after a score
• Saw a funny sign...Laydown the Lawson
• Why could we not give Ty another 5 jersey? Was this a practical joke on Dennis the Menace giving him 25 for a while?
• We got no respect from the Refs in the 2nd half
• Lost contact...Deon not Tyler. I know it is crazy!
• CBS and their crazy camera angles. Do they really think we like watch the game as if we were floating over the court? It is bad enough we have to listen to Nance and Kellogg. Where they secretly rooting for Nova?
• How much is the media going to make of a rematch of Carolina/MSU in Detroit? Was that game earlier this season Bobby's home game? I remember he had a wedding afterward but not sure about anything else.
  

Sweet 16

Notes from Memphis:

-Roy was the Duck Master. They gave him the cane...a new weapon to use in practice
-Nice to see the smiles at practice

Notes from the game:

-Roy sporting same tie from games @ FSU and the 1st round game against Radford...it still makes me think of a purse
-Deon not wearing the shoes and sporting the tight shirt
-Ty can not be called weak...how in the world did he strain this other ankle
-Wayne is all business, way to get the job done
-Bobby calmly nails the 3
-We sucked at free throws
-How can CBS have so many video problems...have not seen one game that has not had video or audio problems

New Warren Blog Entry

MC has handed off the rap for this year...once again a great insight into life as a Diamond Heel

Carolina Baseball

Check out Adam Warren's Blog...

I can't wait to hear Mike "MC" Copeland's rap for this year. Last years was great! Nice to see the boys supporting each other.

Tyler Breaking the Record

Why in the world would Reddick think Tyler would want a congratulatory phone call from him after he broke Reddick's record?

2nd Round Game

Comments from Greensboro:

Pre-Game:
-Meet the person behind "Make it Wayne." The website is legit. Got my shirt! I was super happy since I have been searching for a while. Check it out...

Shoe Update:
-Deon was sporting the plaid Jordans again. It is about time he is wearing them. Hopefully, he will get his groove back.
-Ty was sporting new kicks a size larger. Hopefully, he will tie them tight!
-Wayne was wearing new shoes with a navy 8 stitched on the inside of both shoes.

Game Notes:
-Roy wearing Pink...Interesting choice
-D-Green sporting the knee pad again...He tends to be adjusting it all the time.
-How can Karl Hess ref our game in the tourney? A while back I heard a rumor that the officials in the opening rounds would not be primary officials from either conference. Once again, we were getting banged up while Karl was on the floor. Tyler was bleeding above the eye and had noticeable scratches on his back. Ty "Dennis the Menace" heard the popping noise while in the game.

1st Round Game against Radford

Great opening game against Radford. It was relieving to see buckets for Drew, Frasor and D-Green. It was nice to see Lawson wearing two shoes!

Notes from today:
-Roy's Tie looks like a summer pattern for Vera Bradley products called Capri Blue. The worst part is it is the same tie he wore in the win at FSU. So he has worn this tie more than once...ouch on the eyes.
-Tyler, Ed, Bobby, and Cope all had the blue tape on today. Seems like we are handing the stuff out like candy.
-Why don't we have blue tape for Zeller to use on his wrist? Why can't he have some of the candy?
-Like when the Twin Tylers are in at the same time...
-Today's Biscuits Award goes to Copeland
-Why did we have to get stuck with Clark Kellogg and Jim Nantz in Greensboro? There is not enough wood to out jinx them. And I thought it would be better this tourney with no Packer.
-Why is Billy Packer still drinking the haterade? He should be busy playing golf and spending time with the fam. Instead, he is advising the country on Obama's Picks and views of UNC. Who does he think he is?
-Thanks Obama! As if the boys did not have enough pressure without comments about embarrassing you in front of the nation.
-Nice to see Coach Rob with hair, oh the glory days

Tourney Time

What could be better than Coach K getting stuck with UNC again (you know he is streaming mad) or a possible match up between Texas and Dook? Greensboro will be loud with lots of booing for both team...

ACC Tournament

So we have finish watching the Heels get beat by FSU. These are my comments from the weekend:
-Why did Tyler and Ed have the blue tape Bobby has been wearing on their legs?
-What was Roy thinking with his tie today? Aj said it best, "It looks like fish scales." I hope we do not see that tie again.
-Does Roy ever wear a tie to a game once it has a lose associated with it?
-FSUs uniforms are ugly. Too much going on.
-Does Ty have dress shoes?
-Nice to see Marcus sporting different threads each day.
-A 1-on-1 game I would love to see is Jonny Flynn of Syracuse and a healthy Ty Lawson.
-Does Leonard Hamilton ever have the top button of his dress shirt button and his tie pushed up?
-Why did Deon not wear the argyle sneakers? He plays way better in them.
-Why did Raycom-WRAL have such a hard time airing the game without issues Fri and Sat?

First Post

This has been sometime coming...I have always commented on what the players/coaches are wearing. Plus, I have loved the crazy tidbits of info that is not the norm. I have personally termed this "Josh Questions" for several reasons. One, my husband is tried of hearing the comments, doesn't care, or was not born/breed Carolina. That is not to say he is not a huge fan and bleeds Carolina blue now! Two, Josh listens or pretends to. Three, he finds out the answers if there is one. Four, I think he thinks I am crazy(like my husband).

Aj thinks this will give me an avenue to share the insanity and he thinks others might be interested. Since we love all things Carolina it will be inclusive to all action.