I get asked that question all the time. Well, North Carolina is “The Tar Heel State” so everyone who lives here is a Tar Heel. And it’s also the nickname for the sports teams of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
There are several different legends about the origin of the name, and I usually go with the one that dates back to the Revolutionary War. In colonial times, one of North Carolina’s major products was tar from all the pine forests across the state. Some people think that originally "Tar Heels" was an insult, something along the lines of "redneck" or "white trash."
Then the war began and supposedly the troops from North Carolina were very brave (or foolhardy) and refused to retreat or back down, and some famous general said, “Those boys from North Carolina must have tar on their heels” to compliment their bravery. And after that, being called a "Tar Heel" was positive rather than insulting.
UNC-Chapel Hill (founded in 1789) is the oldest public university in the U.S. and “Tar Heels” became the nickname for all the sports teams at that school. So while every resident of NC is a Tar Heel, not every resident is a Tar Heel fan (there are other universities in the state and some people chose to pull for those other teams, though I don't understand why).
But here’s what really confuses people. Our mascot is a ram named Ramses. But we are NOT the UNC Rams, we’re the UNC Tar Heels. Even I don’t completely understand that. Maybe it was just too hard to make a furry suit that looks like a foot?
Our rivals like to point out that a Tar Heel is, in reality, nothing but a dirty foot, and they are right. But I love the name…there are lots of teams called lions or tigers or bears, but ours is unique.
The rivals also like to note that Carolina Blue is a wimpy color more suited to baby nurseries than to athletics, but that’s just sour grapes on their part. ;)
Comments (6)
How interesting! I love reading historical information like this.
Funny, whie you were describing the Ram, I was picturing in my head how one would portray a tar heel before I even got to the part where you talked about how you would portray a tar heel. That certainly would not work, having someone dressed up in a furry suit with a footprint on it :-)
Posted by girasoli | March 19, 2008 3:52 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 15:52
Does Ramses have a black smudge on the bottom of his foot? I mean hoof.
Posted by Jill | March 19, 2008 10:08 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 22:08
Cute illustrations & great photo. Looks to be a little Tar Heel in the making. And you're right, much better than standing next to a foot! And a blue foot at that! :)
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 20, 2008 8:46 AM
Posted on March 20, 2008 08:46
Girasoli, what kind of mascot do the Red Sox have?
Jill, I don't know but it's a great idea if he doesn't! Though he doesn't really have hooves....more like enormous bedroom slippers, I believe.
Kathy, yes! That's my older nephew Mason and he's a huge Tar Heel fan!
Posted by Annie | March 20, 2008 6:41 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 18:41
Your Nephew is a cutie! Enjoy watching the game tonight Annie! It should be a good one!
Go Tar Heels!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 26, 2008 8:17 AM
Posted on March 26, 2008 08:17
The ram came from player back in th 30's or 40's on the football team. He was an offensive back who was said to charge through the defense like a ram! Go Heels!!
Posted by John | March 26, 2011 11:52 AM
Posted on March 26, 2011 11:52