UNC linebacker Chazz Surratt named to preseason award watchlist
Chazz Surratt — who converted to linebacker just last year — was named to three national award preseason watchlists.
SPORTS
Column: Removing Native American imagery from sports is long overdue
"The next time you see someone dressed up as a chief with a headdress and painted skin at a Kansas City Chiefs game, or doing the Tomahawk chop at a Braves game, ask yourself: is it OK to use that imagery and represent Native Americans the way we do, despite their demonstrated anger at those stereotypes and the tragedies they suffered as a result of American colonialism and expansion?"
55 years ago, UNC men's basketball coaching legend Dean Smith was hanged in effigy
“It was just the frustration and realization of why [the effigy] was up there,” Billy Cunningham said. “The feelings I had towards coach Smith, that this was so unfair and that goes for the whole team. We were all just so frustrated.”
Tar Heels in the pros: Former UNC baseball players gear up for Opening Day
This week, although the only fans you’ll see in the stands will be made out of cardboard, Major League Baseball will make its long-awaited return. With the season being reduced from 162 to 60 games, teams that might not otherwise have a chance could make a run at success in the shortened campaign. Here's where a few former Tar Heels stand entering Opening Day.
Tar Heels in the pros: Pineda, Berhalter shine in MLS is Back Tournament's early stages
After spending nearly four months away from competition, Major League Soccer returned on July 8 with the World Cup Style MLS is Back Tournament. Here's how two former Tar Heels fared in the first few games of their professional careers.
Q&A: Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO Gary Stokan talks UNC-Auburn, COVID-19 precautions and more
Following decisions from the Pac-12 and Big 10 to move to conference-only schedules for fall sports, the North Carolina football team's week two match-up with Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff was thrown into question with speculation that the ACC could follow suit. Summer Sports Editor Zachary Crain caught up with Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO Gary Stokan to discuss conference plus-one schedules, the Kickoff game's potential impact and more. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
'I'm a skeptic': UNC history professor Matthew Andrews on return of sports
“I’m a skeptic about the idea of resuming sports," Andrews said. "I’m a skeptic about certainly resuming college sports and college football, I think that’s absolute insanity. I think it’s downright dangerous and maybe even morally repugnant to put college athletes at risk like that."
Former UNC women's basketball player Jessica Breland opts out of WNBA bubble
Due to a having cancer during her time at UNC, Phoenix Mercury forward Jessica Breland opted out of the WNBA bubble, citing COVID-19-related health concerns.
'Excited about coming back': UNC volleyball begins return to campus
“In these next few weeks, the world we know will be determined,” UNC volleyball head coach Joe Sagula said. “We’ll probably know in two weeks where things land.”
Tar Heels in the pros: Former UNC men's basketball players prepare for NBA restart
Following the NBA's cancellation in March, a conclusion to the 2019-20 season once seemed uncertain. With the league's plan to resume play on July 30, here's a look at where some former Tar Heels stand entering play in the Orlando bubble.
Analysis: These prospects could solidify a top 10 recruiting class for UNC football
The Tar Heels will have to bring a few more additions to an already stacked class if they hope to complete their first top 10 haul since 2007. Here are some players in the 2021 class on North Carolina’s radar who have yet to make a college decision.
Column: Appreciating sports during COVID-19
With 124 days and counting since the last live sporting event from the NCAA or any of the United States' five major professional leagues, sports fans across the country have had an empty space in their daily routines.
Analysis: How UNC baseball's undrafted free agent signees can find roles in their new teams
Former North Carolina outfielder Dylan Harris and right-handed pitcher Gianluca Dalatri inked free-agent deals with the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively, following the shortened MLB draft in June.
UNC women's basketball coach Courtney Banghart on campus return, coaching during COVID-19
Assistant Sports Editor Jared McMasters caught up with North Carolina women’s basketball head coach Courtney Banghart to discuss the team’s return to campus, COVID-19 precautions and whether or not there will be a basketball season this year.
Analysis: How Makur Maker's Howard commitment could change college basketball recruiting
Makur Maker, the cousin of Detroit Pistons center Thon Maker, recently committed to play for the Howard men's basketball team. ESPN’s 16th-ranked recruit selected Howard over powerhouse programs such as Kentucky, Memphis and UCLA.
'Everyone was emotional': UNC softball looks forward after shortened season
“We kind of had the ‘last supper’ at Cheesecake Factory, where I allowed them to have soft drinks and dessert, which is something I don’t normally do,” Papa said. “I wanted them to have a great meal because in the back of my mind, I knew that we would be going home.”
Austin, Sturdivant, Little: A look at UNC football's last top 10 class
With the marquee signing of five-star cornerback Tony Grimes on June 30, North Carolina’s football recruiting class of 2021 is now slated No. 3 in the nation, according to 247Sports. The last time the Tar Heels recruited a top 10 class was in 2007, the first recruiting class to come in under then-head coach Butch Davis.
37 athletes, coaches and athletics staff members test positive for COVID-19
After initiating 429 COVID-19 tests of student-athletes, coaches and staff since their return to campus began on June 1, 37 of those individuals tested positive for COVID-19, UNC media relations announced Wednesday in a press release.
How UNC running back Javonte Williams plans to improve, help team as a junior
“Coming in with all the hype, I just know we’ve got to be able to back it up,” Williams said. “We’re on the rise, teams want to knock us off even more, so I know we’ve just got to prepare even harder every day and push each other. I feel like we can really do something special this year.”
UNC football's running backs unit gearing up for the season
Coming off a season in which the tandem of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams rushed for nearly 2,000 yards, running backs coach Robert Gillespie is intent on his unit continuing to set a tone for the Tar Heel offense.
