Tar Heels

"Tar Heels" is the nickname for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's students, alumni, and sports teams. The term dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, originally referring to workers who applied tar to the bottom of wooden ships. Over time, it symbolized resilience and hard work, qualities associated with the university community. Today, it represents school pride and spirit, especially in athletics like the UNC Tar Heels basketball team. The nickname is a proud part of North Carolina’s cultural heritage and identity.