Spring Break
Column: I'm a Tar Heel born… I'll be a Pirate dead
Jared Jackson, Staff Writer
Issue date: 6/17/09 Section: Sports
When I learned that ECU and North Carolina were both hosting a regional this year in baseball, I instantly called my father to alert him that there was the possibility of the two butting heads for the chance to go to the College World Series.
"Dad, ECU is hosting a regional in baseball this year," I said.
"What about Carolina?" he replied.
"They are, too, and I bet their regional will be matched up with ECU's," I said, obviously not knowing the two regionals were in fact connected.
"Well that's good for you I guess," my dad replied. "It really won't matter to you who wins."
Let's backtrack a little.
Ever since I can remember I've been a diehard UNC fan. When I was a child, one of the first thing I can remember doing was claiming to like Duke just to make my father mad (did it ever).
I also hold memories of endless Saturdays in Kenan Stadium watching the gridiron Tar Heels through the good times (Mack Brown days) and the bad times (Carl Torbush and John Bunting days), as well as shooting basketball in my backyard dreaming I was Serge Zwikker (I keep my goals realistic).
I, after all, was the kid in high school that wore a UNC shirt to school almost every day and was the kid that would get highly pissed when someone dissed my beloved Heels.
I should have known things would change, as there was no shot of me getting into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
So of course, I settled for ECU where I knew I would receive a quality college education where I could watch a good football program on Saturdays and a stellar baseball team in the spring.
First and foremost, I promised myself I would still be a UNC fan and nothing could ever get in the way of that.
Like I said, times change.
In the first few months of being a sportswriter at TEC, someone tipped me off to a message board called Boneyard Banter where I could get the scoop on ECU athletics.
Of course, the first thread I came upon talked about how ECU students couldn't be a true Pirate and pull for UNC in any sport, much less basketball.
"Dad, ECU is hosting a regional in baseball this year," I said.
"What about Carolina?" he replied.
"They are, too, and I bet their regional will be matched up with ECU's," I said, obviously not knowing the two regionals were in fact connected.
"Well that's good for you I guess," my dad replied. "It really won't matter to you who wins."
Let's backtrack a little.
Ever since I can remember I've been a diehard UNC fan. When I was a child, one of the first thing I can remember doing was claiming to like Duke just to make my father mad (did it ever).
I also hold memories of endless Saturdays in Kenan Stadium watching the gridiron Tar Heels through the good times (Mack Brown days) and the bad times (Carl Torbush and John Bunting days), as well as shooting basketball in my backyard dreaming I was Serge Zwikker (I keep my goals realistic).
I, after all, was the kid in high school that wore a UNC shirt to school almost every day and was the kid that would get highly pissed when someone dissed my beloved Heels.
I should have known things would change, as there was no shot of me getting into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
So of course, I settled for ECU where I knew I would receive a quality college education where I could watch a good football program on Saturdays and a stellar baseball team in the spring.
First and foremost, I promised myself I would still be a UNC fan and nothing could ever get in the way of that.
Like I said, times change.
In the first few months of being a sportswriter at TEC, someone tipped me off to a message board called Boneyard Banter where I could get the scoop on ECU athletics.
Of course, the first thread I came upon talked about how ECU students couldn't be a true Pirate and pull for UNC in any sport, much less basketball.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 27
BOB HOLTZMAN
posted 6/16/09 @ 5:50 PM EST
First of all, it's "Mack" Brown. Second, I was also raised as a Carolina fan. Please don't tell me I'm not a "true" Pirate because I continue to root for the Heels. (Continued…)
Learn the history
posted 6/16/09 @ 6:38 PM EST
Learn the history of ECU and the many attempts of UNC trying to minimize its existence. When ECTTS (East Carolina Teacher Training School) was thought of, UNC and the Consolidated Universities (precursor to the UNC System) didn't want the school to exist. (Continued…)
Tyler
posted 6/16/09 @ 6:52 PM EST
Sorry Bob but Jared is right, you might not want Jared to tell you, your not a "true" Pirate fan but I dang sure will. If you truly understand everything between ECU and UNC @ chapel hill then you would understand that is it not just sports, but way more than that. (Continued…)
dave
posted 6/16/09 @ 7:45 PM EST
doesn't matter how you got here, welcome aboard and go damn pirates!
PirateFreak
posted 6/16/09 @ 7:53 PM EST
Never understood why people love a school that rejects you, or is too expensive to attend. Read the history and educate yourself, then you'll see why TRUE PIRATES never side/cheer for such an elitist group of snobs. (Continued…)
Carolina Blue
posted 6/16/09 @ 11:07 PM EST
This was linked to the Carolina board, and I must say, EZU fans suck. Go Heels! I never have seen anyone on our campus pull for EZU in anything. EZU fans are bandwagon fans, good to knock you out of the super regional and continue to dominate you in everything from the athletic field to the classroom. (Continued…)
Sarah
posted 6/16/09 @ 11:39 PM EST
Really?? You "settled" for ECU???
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George
posted 6/17/09 @ 10:35 AM EST
If a student or alumnus of ECU knows the history of unc-ch over more than 100 years of unc-ch loyalists doing everything it their power to deny a Teachers College in ENC and then trying to deny every effort to improve ECTC, ECC and ECU still is a unc-ch fan that is akin to treason in most ECU loyalist's way of thinking. (Continued…)
Erik
posted 6/17/09 @ 12:50 PM EST
All walheels should be forced to hang out with real graduates/students from that place, for an entire day. That would cure 'em.
Just pull for the degree on the wall baby. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 6/17/09 @ 1:59 PM EST
Yeah, I use to be a true Tarheel fan. But, after working for and going to ECU I grew up. Now when I see UNC my stomach turns a bit. I know some grad's from there and finally understand the difference in attitudes. (Continued…)
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