Welcome Back Picnic Brings Tar Heels Together
August 26, 2014 | Student-Athlete Development
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - More than 600 UNC student-athletes, coaches and staff members welcomed the new school year Monday evening with the annual Welcome Back Picnic, held at Boshamer Stadium. After dining on North Carolina barbeque, the Tar Heels gathered on the outfield grass for games (ping-pong and tug of war were popular), mind-blowing magic tricks and a massive group photo while enjoying the cool-for-August weather.
"This is a great way to say welcome back and let the student-athletes know we're looking forward to an outstanding year," said UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. "It's really nice to see them all get together and have fun and enjoy one of our facilities on a beautiful Chapel Hill evening."
Classes for UNC students started a week ago, and Tar Heel athletic competitions kicked off over the weekend, with women's soccer hosting the Carolina Nike Classic. In the coming week, Tar Heel teams will compete in cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball, with every fall sports team in action. But Monday's event was a chance to relax and reconnect outside the demands of classes and competition.
"This is a fun event for student-athletes because it brings us all together for the first time after the summer," said Mike Jacobs, a senior on the men's cross country and track & field team and co-president of the UNC Student-Athlete Advisory Council. "Sometimes when you're in practice, you forget that you're not just on your team - for me, the men's cross country team or the men's track and field team. You're part of a much bigger picture and that's Carolina. What a special family to be a part of."