SPORTS TEAM HISTORY

Sports Team HistorySports Logo History
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
  • More…
    • STH News
    • Sports Team History Products
STH #3 Home Header 1440x650

North Carolina Tar Heels School History

STH Greatest Player Polls Banner
North Carolina Tar Heels




  • 1994
  • 2000
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2006
  • 2017
  • Charlotte-Smith-UNC-300x167

    Women’s Basketball NCAA Champions 1994

    The 1994 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament featured 64 teams for the first time ever. The Final Four consisted of North Carolina, Purdue, Louisiana Tech, and Alabama, with North Carolina defeating Louisiana Tech 60–59 to win its first NCAA title on a 3-point shot by Charlotte Smith as time expired. The ball was inbounded with only 00:00.7 left on ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Tar Heels women’s soccer 2000

    Another Women’s Soccer Victory

    In 2000: The Tar Heels win their eighth national championship in women’s soccer by defeating UCLA 2-1 on a golden goal after a scoreless draw in the final under coach Anson Dorrance. They also make their first appearance in the Women’s College World Series in softball under coach Donna Papa, who has led them to six ACC titles and seven ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_2006_College_Cup_Champions

    Tar Heels win their thirteenth national championship in women’s soccer

    In 2006: Tar Heels win their thirteenth national championship in women’s soccer by defeating Notre Dame 2-1 on golden goal after a scoreless draw in the final under coach Anson Dorrance.
    See Full Story
  • 2005: The Tar Heels win men’s basketball

    The Tar Heels wins national championship in men’s basketball

    In 2005: The Tar Heels win their sixth national championship in men’s basketball by defeating Illinois 75-70 in the final under coach Roy Williams, who had previously coached at Kansas for 15 seasons and led them to four Final Four appearances.
    See Full Story
  • North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_2006_College_Cup_Champions

    Tar Heels wins national championship in women’s soccer

    In 2006: The Tar Heels win their twelfth national championship in women’s soccer by defeating Notre Dame 2-1 on golden goal after a scoreless draw in the final under coach Anson Dorrance.
    See Full Story
  • North Carolina Tar Heels Final Four Champs 2017

    Final Four Champions in 2017

    The 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament involved 68 teams playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball national champion for the 2016–17 season. The 79th edition of the tournament began on March 14, 2017, and concluded with the championship game on April 3 at the University of Phoenix ...
    Read More
    See Full Story

Tar Heels Primary Logo
Tar Heels Alternate Logo
Tar Heels Wordmark Logo

History of the Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a long and storied history in NCAA sports. The team has been competing since the early 1900s and is one of the most successful teams in college sports. They have won six national championships, including three in men's basketball, two in women's soccer, and one in football. In addition to their success on the court or field, they boast some of the greatest players ever to play collegiate athletics, such as Michael Jordan and Vince Carter, who both starred for UNC during their careers.

The Tar Heels are known for having an incredibly passionate fanbase that follows them no matter where they go or what sport they are playing at any given time. This fan base is so dedicated that it was even featured prominently during ESPN’s “30 For 30” series when discussing how vital UNC basketball was to Chapel Hill residents throughout its entire history up until today; this speaks volumes about just how much people care about this team regardless of which sport it may be playing at any particular moment!

Overall, there can be no doubt that North Carolina Tar Heels Sports Team History NCAA deserves recognition as one of America’s premier college athletic programs with many significant accomplishments over its long existence – from winning multiple national championships across various sports all while maintaining a substantial following from fans everywhere! It shows why these athletes should always remain proud members of a prestigious institution like UNC!

Tar Heels Products

YouTheFan NCAA North Carolina Tar Heels 3D Logo Series Wall Art - 12x12
4.7 out of 5 stars(367)
Available for Amazon Prime $24.99 $22.98 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Comfy Feet Unisex Classic Slipper, North Carolina Tar Heels, 9.5-11 US Men
4.5 out of 5 stars(437)
Available for Amazon Prime $29.95 $24.95 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
For Bare Feet NCAA North Carolina Tar Heels CAMO BOOM 3 Pack Ankle Sock Team Colors Large
4.8 out of 5 stars(8)
Available for Amazon Prime $30.00 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
RFSJ Carolina Tar Heels 16oz Granite Mug Blue
5.0 out of 5 stars(2)
Available for Amazon Prime $24.99 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Timex Tribute Unisex Collegiate Recruit 38mm Watch - North Carolina Tar Heels Black Fabric Strap
4.4 out of 5 stars(8)
Available for Amazon Prime $44.95 $24.99 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Comfy Feet Unisex Sneaker Slipper, North Carolina Tar Heels, 7-9 US Men
4.8 out of 5 stars(584)
Available for Amazon Prime $21.54 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
NCAA North Carolina Tar Heels Mens Adjustable Scholarship Hat Charcoal, North Carolina Tar Heels Charcoal, Adjustable, One size
4.7 out of 5 stars(1216)
Available for Amazon Prime $23.05 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Top of the World North Carolina Tar Heels Men's Relaxed Fit Adjustable Mesh Offroad Hat Team Color Icon, Adjustable
4.7 out of 5 stars(8348)
Available for Amazon Prime $21.99 (as of September 28, 2023 04:04 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon




College Sports Established
1901

Location
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

College Name
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA

Conference History
1953 – Present / ACC Conference
1921 - 1953 / Southern Conference
1894, 1901 / Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Nickname
Tar Heels - For decades, the North Carolina Tar Heels have been one of the NCAA's most beloved and successful college basketball teams. But where did their nickname come from? The origin of this famous moniker dates back to a Civil War battle fought in 1863 near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

During that time, Confederate soldiers from North Carolina were known as "Tar Heels" because they often marched through tar pits during their marches. Legend has it that when these brave soldiers were asked why they kept marching despite being so tired and worn out, one soldier replied with a smile: “I’m sticking to my heels!” This phrase eventually became synonymous with any person or group who showed extraordinary courage under difficult circumstances—and thus was born the name for UNC's athletic teams: The Tar Heels.

The University of North Carolina officially adopted this nickname for its sports teams in 1922 after seeing its popularity spread throughout campus culture over previous decades. Since then, it has become an integral part of UNC athletics tradition—so much so that many fans proudly refer to themselves as “Carolina blue-blooded Tar Heel fanatics." It is also used by other schools across America (including Duke) as a sign of respect towards UNC's long legacy on and off the court!

Today you can find references to this iconic mascot everywhere around Chapel Hill, whether at sporting events or just walking around town - no matter what you do, there will always be someone wearing something bearing those two words – GoHeels!!

NCAA Championships
Baseball 0

Men's Basketball 6
2017, 2009, 2005, 1993, 1982, 1957

Women's Basketball 1
1994

Football 0

Soccer 2
2011, 2001

Who is the greatest North Carolina Tar Heels?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

Sports News History

Sports News Worth Knowing

RSS NCAA Football Headline News

  • Bottom 10? 10 men on the field? Notre Dame a perfect fit for our list
  • Ex-Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz doubles down on Ryan Day, Ohio State comments: ‘He can go after me all he wants’
  • Smart: ‘No complacency’ as UGA chases 3rd title
  • Irish eyes aren’t smiling after costly, and avoidable, mistake
  • Caleb’s got company: Fantastic 2-QB Heisman race takes shape

Sports Market History

Sports Team Marketplace of Champions!

College Logo Battle

Greatest Player Polls

STH Product Sale

College Schools
Menu
  • ACC
    • Boston College Eagles
    • Clemson Tigers
    • Duke Blue Devils
    • Florida State Seminoles
    • Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
    • Louisville Cardinals
    • Miami Hurricanes
    • North Carolina State Wolfpack
    • North Carolina Tar Heels
    • Notre Dame Fighting Irish
    • Pittsburgh Panthers
    • Syracuse Orange
    • Virginia Cavaliers
    • Virginia Tech Hokies
    • Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  • America East
    • NJIT Highlanders
  • American Athletic
    • Charlotte 49ers
    • East Carolina Pirates
    • Florida Atlantic Owls
    • Memphis Tigers
    • North Texas Mean Green
    • Rice Owls
    • SMU Mustangs
    • South Florida Bulls
    • Temple Owls
    • Tulane Green Wave
    • Tulsa Golden Hurricane
    • UAB Blazers
    • UTSA Roadrunners
    • Wichita State Shockers
  • ASUN
    • Austin Peay Governors
    • Bellarmine Knights
    • Central Arkansas Bears
    • Eastern Kentucky Colonels
    • Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
    • Jacksonville Dolphins
    • Kennesaw State Owls
    • Lipscomb Bisons
    • North Alabama Lions
    • North Florida Ospreys
    • Queens Royals
    • Stetson Hatters
  • Atlantic 10
    • Davidson Wildcats
    • Dayton Flyers
    • Duquesne Dukes
    • Fordham Rams
    • George Mason Patriots
    • George Washington Colonials
    • La Salle Explorers
    • Loyola Ramblers
    • Massachusetts Minutemen
    • Rhode Island Rams
    • Richmond Spiders
    • Saint Louis Billikens
    • St. Bonaventure Bonnies
    • St. Joseph’s Hawks
    • Virginia Commonwealth Rams
  • Big 10
    • Illinois Fighting Illini
    • Indiana Hoosiers
    • Iowa Hawkeyes
    • Maryland Terrapins
    • Michigan State Spartans
    • Michigan Wolverines
    • Minnesota Golden Gophers
    • Nebraska Cornhuskers
    • Northwestern Wildcats
    • Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Purdue Boilermakers
    • Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    • Wisconsin Badgers
  • Big 12
    • Baylor Bears
    • BYU Cougars
    • Central Florida Knights
    • Cincinnati Bearcats
    • Houston Cougars
    • Iowa State Cyclones
    • Kansas Jayhawks
    • Kansas State Wildcats
    • Oklahoma Sooners
    • Oklahoma State Cowboys
    • TCU Horned Frogs
    • Texas Longhorns
    • Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • West Virginia Mountaineers
  • Big East
    • Butler Bulldogs
    • Connecticut Huskies
    • Creighton Bluejays
    • DePaul Blue Demons
    • Georgetown Hoyas
    • Marquette Golden Eagles
    • Providence Friars
    • Seton Hall Pirates
    • St. John’s Red Storm
    • Villanova Wildcats
    • Xavier Musketeers
  • Big Sky
    • Eastern Washington Eagles
    • Idaho State Bengals
    • Idaho Vandals
    • Montana Grizzlies
    • Montana State Bobcats
    • Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
    • Northern Colorado Bears
    • Portland State Vikings
    • Sacramento State Hornets
    • Weber State Wildcats
    • Past Teams
      • Southern Utah Thunderbirds
  • Big West
    • Cal Poly Mustangs
    • Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
    • Cal State Fullerton Titans
    • Cal State Northridge Matadors
    • Hawaii Warriors
    • Long Beach State 49ers
    • UC Davis Aggies
    • UC Irvine Anteaters
    • UC Riverside Highlanders
    • UC San Diego Tritons
    • UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
  • C-USA
    • FIU Panthers
    • Jacksonville State Gamecocks
    • Liberty Flames
    • Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
    • Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
    • New Mexico State Aggies
    • Sam Houston State Bearkats
    • UTEP Miners
    • Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
  • Ivy
    • Brown Bears
    • Columbia Lions
    • Cornell Big Red
    • Dartmouth Big Green
    • Harvard Crimson
    • Penn Quakers
    • Princeton Tigers
    • Yale Bulldogs
  • MAC
    • Akron Zips
    • Ball State Cardinals
    • Bowling Green Falcons
    • Buffalo Bulls
    • Central Michigan Chippewas
    • Eastern Michigan Eagles
    • Kent State Golden Flashes
    • Miami (Ohio) Redhawks
    • Northern Illinois Huskies
    • Ohio Bobcats
    • Toledo Rockets
    • Western Michigan Broncos
  • Missouri Valley
    • Belmont Bruins
    • Bradley Braves
    • Drake Bulldogs
    • Evansville Purple Aces
    • Illinois State Redbirds
    • Indiana State Sycamores
    • Missouri State Bears
    • Murray State Racers
    • Northern Iowa Panthers
    • Southern Illinois Salukis
    • UIC Flames
    • Valparaiso Beacons
  • Mountain West
    • Air Force Falcons
    • Boise State Broncos
    • Colorado State Rams
    • Fresno State Bulldogs
    • Nevada Wolf Pack
    • New Mexico Lobos
    • San Diego State Aztecs
    • San Jose State Spartans
    • UNLV Rebels
    • Utah State Aggies
    • Wyoming Cowboys
  • Ohio Valley
    • Eastern Illinois Panthers
    • Lindenwood Lions
    • Little Rock Trojans
    • Morehead State Eagles
    • SE Missouri State Redhawks
    • SIU Edwardsville Cougars
    • Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
    • Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
    • Tennessee State Tigers
    • Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
    • Western Illinois Leathernecks
  • PAC 12
    • Arizona State Sun Devils
    • Arizona Wildcats
    • California Golden Bears
    • Colorado Buffaloes
    • Oregon Ducks
    • Oregon State Beavers
    • Southern California Trojans
    • Stanford Cardinal
    • UCLA Bruins
    • Utah Utes
    • Washington Huskies
    • Washington State Cougars
  • Patriot
    • American Eagles
    • Army Black Knights
    • Boston Terriers
    • Bucknell Bisons
    • Colgate Raiders
    • Holy Cross Crusaders
    • Lafayette Leopards
    • Lehigh Mountain Hawks
    • Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds
    • Navy Midshipmen
  • SEC
    • Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Arkansas Razorbacks
    • Auburn Tigers
    • Florida Gators
    • Georgia Bulldogs
    • Kentucky Wildcats
    • LSU Tigers
    • Mississippi State Bulldogs
    • Missouri Tigers
    • Ole Miss Rebels
    • South Carolina Gamecocks
    • Tennessee Volunteers
    • Texas A&M Aggies
    • Vanderbilt Commodores
  • Southland
    • Houston Christian Huskies
    • Incarnate Word Cardinals
    • Lamar Cardinals
    • McNeese Cowboys
    • New Orleans Privateers
    • Nicholls State Colonels
    • Northwestern State Demons
    • Southeastern Louisiana Lions
    • Texas A&M Commerce Lions
    • Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders
  • Southwestern
    • Alabama A&M Bulldogs
    • Alabama State Hornets
    • Alcorn State Braves
    • Arkansas-PB Golden Lions
    • Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
    • Florida A&M Rattlers
    • Grambling State Tigers
    • Jackson State Tigers
    • Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
    • Prairie View A&M Panthers
    • Southern Jaguars
    • Texas Southern Tigers
  • Sun Belt
    • Appalachian State Mountaineers
    • Arkansas State Red Wolves
    • Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
    • Georgia Southern Eagles
    • Georgia State Panthers
    • James Madison Dukes
    • Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
    • Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks
    • Marshall Thundering Herd
    • Old Dominion Monarchs
    • South Alabama Jaguars
    • Southern Miss Golden Eagles
    • Texas State Bobcats
    • Troy Trojans
  • West Coast
    • Gonzaga Bulldogs
    • Loyola Marymount Lions
    • Pacific Tigers
    • Pepperdine Waves
    • Portland Pilots
    • Saint Marys Gaels
    • San Diego Toreros
    • San Francisco Dons
    • Santa Clara Broncos
  • WAC
    • Abilene Christian Wildcats
    • Cal Baptist Lancers
    • New Mexico State Aggies
    • Seattle Redhawks
    • Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
    • Tarleton State Texans
    • UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
    • Utah Valley Wolverines

STH News

Latest Sports Team History News

Could the Kentucky Basketball team land the 5 Star recruit Boogie Fland?

September 28, 2023

USFL Venues | Information on Ford Field, Protective Stadium, Canton Hall of Fame Village, and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

September 26, 2023

What Makes The Walter Payton Award Prestigious?

September 23, 2023

Giants vs. Jets: Who Is the Main New Jersey Football Team?

September 19, 2023

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Sports Logo History
Sports News History
Sports Market History
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Sports Team History
© 2013 - 2023 Sports History Group LLC - All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
  • More…
    • STH News
    • Sports Team History Products
Available for Amazon Prime