One year removed from having no more than 2,000 fans at its Spring Game, officials in Chapel Hill are hoping to draw as many as 20,000 for this year’s game. Being on ESPN can’t hurt, but will 20,000 Holes really make it out to Kenan Saturday to watch TJ Yates (and every other UNC QB) throw interceptions to an NFL defense full of SEC speed? I find it hard to believe.
Here’s a preview of the UNC Spring Football Celebration from the N&O.
There’s a difference in the build-up for North Carolina’s spring football game on Saturday.
It’s April and UNC students are actually talking about football, senior Greg Little said.
“It’s just the buzz around campus,” Little said. “You can walk into class and it’s ‘Greg, that spring game is coming up.’ ”
And did anyone on campus ask him about the spring game in previous years?
“Not really, to be completely honest,” said the team’s top receiver and one of 19 returning starters for the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels and ESPN, which will televise the game live, believe Saturday’s exhibition will be a big hit. A year after drawing about 2,000 fans, UNC officials are hoping big prizes and a day packed with events will entice at least 20,000 to Kenan Stadium for the free scrimmage at 3 p.m.
For those interested in ruining UNC’s ESPN debut Saturday, there are options for NC State fans to make their presence known in Kenan Stadium. Want to crash the Tar Heels spring game? Check this out.
In other pitiful Carolina news, the IFC at UNC is sponsoring a new event designed to rival NC State’s Krispy Kreme Challenge. The Chick-Fil-A challenge will require students to run two miles, eat 12 Chick-Fil-A nuugets and run back. Now the fact that this event, like the Krispy Kreme Challenge, will benefit the North Carolina Children’s Hospital is amazing and should be commended. But is this a challenge? A dozen donuts is 2,400 calories. 12 Chick-Fil-A Nuggets checks in at about 400.
Sorry IFC and Chi Omega sorority, but this isn’t even close.
