UNC First-Years On Their First Franklin Street Rush
Start writing a post
Entertainment

UNC First-Years On Their First Franklin Street Rush

A night that screams #GDTBATH.

247
UNC First-Years On Their First Franklin Street Rush
Wikipedia

An adrenaline rush is a vast understatement of what I experienced the night of Feb. 8. I rushed Franklin Street with thousands of my closest friends for the first time–celebrating the victorious accomplishment of beating Carolina’s biggest basketball rival: DOOK.

As a first-year at UNC-CH, I’d only imagined what rushing Franklin felt like until last Thursday. The energy throughout the crowds of fans was palpable as countless fans rejoiced at the same historic intersection of North Columbia and Franklin Street, harmoniously chanting the alma mater and various explicit references to our neighboring university under a sky of fireworks. Representing a prideful moment where everyone in the Carolina community unified as one, the the dash to Franklin is an unimaginable experience and one that I wanted to ask first-years about.

Q: In your words, how would you describe your first Franklin Street rush experience?

“Actually kind of crazy," Disha Ratra said. "I was sick that whole day and almost passed out in the Dean Dome, so running a mile to Franklin was quite a task. I even ended up tripping over a wall and skinning my knee on the way. In the end, it was definitely worth it because my adrenaline was PUMPING. Also, I lost my voice from screaming at the game/on Franklin. It has been three days since the game and I still don’t have my voice back."

“I was watching the game in the Union, and everyone screamed and started rushing out the doors," Hope Conn said. "About halfway to Franklin, I could feel my lungs in my throat, but I didn’t care. Pushing on we flung ourselves into the crowd. We joined in the cheers, I put my friend on my shoulders, and the smile never left my face. Rushing Franklin made me so proud to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

“Unimaginable," Amy Chau said. "Prior to this, I've seen videos and pictures of others rushing Franklin, but you never fully realize how crazy it is ‘til you're in the crowd, headed towards the fire or on someone's shoulder. It was a night for the books.”

“Such a rush," Sarah Mueller said. "I’ve never felt closer to my fellow Tar Heels and I’ve also never felt more love for UNC. I’ve heard many people describe the feeling of rushing Franklin, and there really is nothing quite like it. It’s something you have to experience for yourself.”


Q: How do you think rushing Franklin Street demonstrates the passion for sports and school pride?

“I’ve never felt school pride," Lang Duong said. "I was never a fan of my high school so I didn’t really care whether or not we won a game in football or basketball. I just remember running towards Franklin basically gasping for breath, but I didn’t care because I was so happy to be feeling what I was feeling for this school. Being able to see everyone there all feeling the same thing was truly something I had never felt before.”

“I think rushing shows how devoted we are to our school and how much we love to celebrate a win for our school," Ojesvii Sethi said. "We pride ourselves in several things but basketball is definitely something that brings the student body together.”

“Sounds cheesy, but it gave a sense of school spirit I’ve never felt anywhere else before," Aaruba Ayesha said.

“It shows that we will do anything to show our love for our school and our hatred for the school down the road," Olivia Williams said.

“Honestly, it is very inspirational and shows how close the UNC family is," Sienna Zico said. "We were all bumping around each other, but it didn't matter because everyone just wanted to celebrate. I had never felt so much school pride before.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone who has never rushed Franklin Street before and is planning on attending the next Franklin Street rush?

“Make sure to wear decent shoes, someone lost one and it ended up getting thrown into the fire," Nikki Kelleher said. "Also, don't bring anything you would be upset about losing or is likely to get lost. The amount of Facebook posts in UNC groups about ‘if you found this on Franklin...’ was pretty sad.”

“Try to be on Franklin Street for the game, but if you get tickets, it’s worth the mile run," Hayley Hayes said. "Wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty, leave all valuables at home, hydrate beforehand, and be prepared to fight other Chapel Hill students to reach a fire!”

“Do it," Christopher Cataldo said. "Don’t think about doing it and then say ‘it’s not for me,’ or ‘I’ll do it next time,’ do it now and every time after. You won’t regret it.”

While swamped in homework, projects, exams and other hurdle life throws at us Tar Heels, it's great to hear words of admiration for such a classic Carolina tradition as first-years strive to participate in all Chapel Hill has to offer, such as the basketball craze. Over the roars of triumph among the crowds exists a unified sense of pride for our school that truly never goes away, basketball season or not. The of advice I would give to potential Franklin Street rushers is to run, chant, laugh, join the celebration and soak it all in.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41161
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25706
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951150
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

134216
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments