Athletic excellence and a winning tradition are things that students and fans have come to expect at UNC.
However, it is important for those who associate with our University to stand behind our athletics in support of all of our teams, win or lose.
It can be easy to forget that UNC athletics are an exception in college sports. As an institution, we have collected 39 NCAA national team championships — 21 of those coming from our most recent champion, the women’s soccer team, who has won 21 of 31 College Cup finals.
Students admirably supported our football team this season, even in the wake of a bowl ban, a new head coach, and tough losses to in-state teams like Duke and Wake Forest.
Fans should take the spirit they showed during a tumultuous football season and apply it to other sports.
Sports like basketball draw some of the most dedicated fans at UNC. However, it is no secret that basketball fans here can appear spoiled at times, especially those who choose to give up on the team when their unrealistically high expectations aren’t met.
It shouldn’t matter if we are competing for a Final Four berth or an NIT bid. Our fans should always show up to games and support our teams.
In the upcoming winter and spring sports seasons, fans should make a point to support all teams, regardless of their expectations.
All UNC athletes — from quarterbacks to fencers — work hard and sacrifice for this University, and in return fans should make an effort to support athletes during their highs and lows.
