'Like no other': A glimpse at UNC's many game day traditions

UNC is rich in tradition with a love for sports. With 28 varsity teams and 49 NCAA Division 1 national championships in eight of those sports, it is easy to see why many call UNC the "University of National Champions." 

With such a talented athletics program comes an even more dedicated fan base made up of alumni, students and people from around the world.

A rich part of the UNC experience comes from the game day atmosphere around Chapel Hill — whether that be tailgating, spending time with friends before and at games, walking down Franklin Street or waiting in line for gates to open.

One program that helps create the game day atmosphere in the student community is Carolina Fever. 

“Carolina Fever is the student fan organization at Carolina,” sophomore Will Scurria, who served as the ticket and database operations director for Carolina Fever last year, said. “Our goal is to introduce students to various athletic events, bring them out to games.”

Though football and men’s basketball games have a lottery system, all other athletic events are free to UNC students.

“We provide a great game day atmosphere as well as incentives,” Scurria said. "If you need a little extra push, we try and convince you to come."

Incentives including prizes and fan experiences are a common staple to encourage student attendance. Joining Carolina Fever includes guaranteed student tickets to men’s basketball games.

Other mainstay UNC traditions are the songs and chants that fill Kenan Stadium with lyrics and support during the fall. Though these songs are sung at every athletic event, you will want to be familiar with them by the time the school year starts. 

Some of those songs include "Vamp" — the third down cheer — and others where students spell out U-N-C and C-A-R-O-L-I-N-A with their arms and sing "Sweet Caroline." The alma mater, “Hark the Sound,” is sung after each game, win or lose.

During football games, the Marching Tar Heels — UNC's marching band — will play these songs periodically. Band member Tyler Jade McMillan said she enjoys the atmosphere and chants the band plays during games.

“My favorite thing about game days is when we do pregame," she said. "So that’s whenever we run down the stairs and then we run onto the field. That whole thing before the actual game starts is my favorite part."

McMillian said that her favorite songs to play during games are “North Carolina” and “Vamp.” 

When it comes to basketball games, during the pregame buildup, “Swag Surfin’” and “Jump Around” are played. During the games, students are led in chants by the cheerleaders on the baseline by the student section. 

Pragya Upreti, a rising sophomore and Carolina Fever member, said the best way to become accustomed to these songs is by frequently attending athletic events.

“The Carolina experience is one like no other," Upreti said. "Incoming students, I hope you know that Carolina game days are some of the best parts of being a student at UNC."

@Jordangoochi

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com