Doherty, Men's Basketball Gain New `Disciples'

Seniors Will Lloyd, Michael Bucy, Jesse Moore and Will Morris collaborated with several Carolina Athletic Association officials to coin the new nickname, which sprung from a recent Durham Herald-Sun article calling UNC students the Carolina Crazies.

"I refuse to be labeled the Carolina Crazies," said Lloyd, this year's Mr. UNC. "So that is what started the thought process."

The name's religious context developed from an article in Sporting News calling the Smith Center the best place to play in college basketball. "We began thinking, 'The Smith Center is like a cathedral ... like a chapel' ... and then bam! The Doherty Disciples," Lloyd said. "It all came together."

Doherty's Disciples debuted during last week's home game against Florida State University. Prior to the start of the game, students sold all of the 200 shirts they had printed and further promoted the idea by donating free shirts to radio broadcasters such as Woody Durham.

Lloyd said everyone wanted a shirt, including security guards and assistant coaches. "The Florida State game was amazing," he said.

Lloyd said Doherty gave his approval to the idea on WTVD's Inside Carolina Basketball. "(Doherty) said despite the weather, it was the loudest it has been in the Dean Dome in a long time."

Lloyd said the group plans to sell the shirts to students sitting in the riser section and also to fill orders from the assistant coaches during Wednesday's game against N.C. State University.

Shirts have already been given to Doherty's mother, Mary, and to University of Kansas coach Roy Williams, who passed up the UNC men's basketball head coaching job last summer.

Freshmen Ginny Taylor and Laura Sanders said they felt the creation of Doherty's Disciples will promote spirit and boost the Tar Heels' performance.

"It will help bring more spirit if we have more motivation by having a name," Sanders said.

Other students liked the idea of having a name for students at basketball games but thought a more enduring name should be chosen. "I think it will be good while Doherty's here, but what happens after he's gone?" said junior Eve Stasios.

"It would be good to pick a name that will last through out the years," she said. "The Cameron Crazies will always be Cameron Crazies no matter who their coach is."

But Taylor agreed with Sanders, saying the idea will improve the Smith Center experience. She said, "Because we are in such competition with Duke all the time and since the new risers are in place and the students are on the floor, I think it will help create a better atmosphere."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.