The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has proven, yet again, that it is a university at the pinnacle of athletic and academic excellence. As we wrap up the 2015-16 school year, we should all take a moment to recognize just how much UNC has achieved in this short school year, and the history of success the university holds.
UNC is home to over 22 men’s and women’s Division I sports teams in the ACC. This year UNC men’s basketball made it to the national championship, finishing second in the nation behind Villanova. Led by Roy Williams, Tar Heel basketball is a well-known and highly celebrated team. While UNC may be known as a basketball powerhouse, there are many nationally ranked teams at Carolina that receive little recognition.
Women’s cross country finished fourth at ACC’s this year, relying mainly on three sophomores and two freshmen after a series of injuries left members of the team unable to run.
Men’s and women’s fencing each sent an athlete to the NCAA Fencing Championship this year, the 49th year in a row that UNC has sent an athlete to nationals.
Women’s field hockey finished out the year with a 4-2 conference record, placing them second in the ACC behind Syracuse. Concluding the 2015 fall season, four tar heels became members of the U.S. national field hockey team.
While UNC may be known as a basketball school, the 2015 football season tells a different story. In the fall of 2015 the tar heels finished first in the Coastal division, and second overall in the ACC behind Clemson, with an 8-0 conference record. A few of the many tar heels to play in the NFL include Julius Peppers of the Green Bay Packers, Jonathan Cooper of the Patriots, and Zach Brown of the Buffalo Bills.
Women’s golf is in an outstanding season, finishing fourth at the ACC championship this past week.
Women’s lacrosse is currently first in the ACC with a 6-0 conference record. UNC women’s lax took the national championship in 2013 over Maryland, and came in second in 2015 and 2009 against Maryland and Northwestern, respectively. With a history like this, UNC has graduated many phenomenal female lacrosse players, including six of whom were picked in the UWLX draft this year.
Men’s soccer finished first in the coastal division this fall, with a 6-1-1 win, loss, draw conference record. The women’s team finished third in the ACC with a 7-3-0 conference record. This year 16 UNC alum played in the National Women’s Soccer League, and in 2015 6 alum were featured on the World Cup winning US National team. With numerous successful alumni and 22 national championships to date, it’s no secret that UNC women’s soccer is a continually thriving team.
This year women’s tennis ranked first in the ACC with a 14-0 conference record.
Volleyball finished third in the ACC this fall with an impressive 17-3 conference record.
With sports records like these, it is no debate the Carolina dominates Division I athletics. What really sets Carolina apart, however, is the university's superior academics. The first public university in the U.S., Carolina has held its long-standing reputation of excellence since 1795. UNC-Chapel Hill was ranked as the fifth best public University in the U.S. by U.S. News, and represents this ranking with a prestigious 28 percent acceptance rate. UNC's School of Medicine was ranked second in the nation in 2014 by U.S. News. This past year, Chapel Hill scientist Aziz Sancar even won a Nobel Prize in chemistry!
With impressive statistics like these, it's a fact that Carolina is at the top of U.S. universities. While you may only be a student for (hopefully) four years, you will be a Tar Heel for life. It's always a GDTBATH.
