UNC students haven’t had a reason to rush Franklin Street or buy much memorabilia this basketball season.
But with the possibility of winning the National Invitation Tournament on Thursday, they might get their shot.
The Chapel Hill Police Department said it is expecting a storm of students and has already made plans to place officers downtown and to close Franklin Street.
The only thing is, they might be planning for the wrong street.
A Facebook group created by freshman Melvin Backman, a DTH staff member, called “I’m rushing Rosemary Street if UNC wins the NIT” has led the charge to save Franklin Street for the bigger wins. It has a member list of more than 2,130 people.
Police Lt. Chris Blue said he was not aware of student plans to storm Rosemary Street.
“We are prepared to respond if people do run into the streets,” Blue said.
“We will have enough folks there that if we had to close the streets, we can do so safely.”
Approximately 45,000 students rushed Franklin Street after UNC’s NCAA tournament wins in 2005 against Illinois and in 2009 against Michigan State.
“It would be my guess that we would have fewer people,” Blue said. “We’re actually counting on that.
“But we’ll have people available so that if we need to respond to a large crowd, we’ll be able to do that.”
Student Body President Jasmin Jones campaigned for safe celebrations after bonfires caused student injuries last year. Her plans included beach balls and a D.J. to steer students away from jumping over fires and climbing trees.
But she said she has no policies or plans in place for a downtown rush if there is a win on Thursday.
“We’re just waiting to see if something happens,” Jones said. “I would want the students to follow their hearts at the end of the day and just support their team.”
Making NIT gear
Both Carolina Pride and The Shrunken Head Boutique, stores that specialize in UNC merchandise on Franklin Street, have already ordered NIT Champions T-shirts, just in case.
“They don’t make them until the buzzer sounds,” said Genny Wrenn, daughter of The Shrunken Head Boutique’s owner.
John Hudson, manager of Carolina Pride, said he does not expect as big a draw for NIT merchandise as the NCAA had.
“I think fans are happy we’re doing well now, but we haven’t gotten a lot of requests,” he said.
UNC Student Stores, however, does not plan to sell NIT shirts if Nike does not make them, said senior Joey Stamey, sales floor manager.
And though it’s not a NCAA championship year, some students said they are still willing to show their NIT pride.
“I don’t have an NIT shirt, so I would definitely wear one,” freshman Ben Barge said. “At least we won something.”
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
