By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — Of the many ways the growing number of passionate Carolina women’s basketball fans show their support, none is more inventive than a group sitting on the front row behind the south baseline at Carmichael Arena.
Most fans pick a favorite player and buy their jersey to wear to games, but Louis Patalano, a 1995 UNC graduate, wasn’t about to stop there.
For the third consecutive home game, Sunday’s clash with No. 17 Virginia Tech at noon (ESPN2), he leads five fans who wear the jerseys of the Tar Heels’ starters as the game begins. When Coach Courtney Banghart makes a substitution, the person wearing the jersey for the player who comes out quickly switches to the jersey of the player who replaces her.
“They thought of it; they executed it. It’s just so awesome,” Banghart said.
Patalano had no idea that his unique way of supporting the Tar Heels had gone viral on social media after the group’s debut game, the 79–68 Jan. 21 win over Louisville, until Banghart told him in a message.
Banghart knew Patalano because he is part of the Bench Seat Program of loyal supporters that started in 2020.
“You’ve got a supporter of our program who has not only that idea, but he only has four seats, so he got the guy next to him to do it, too,” Banghart said. “And you’re talking five men supporting women’s basketball to the point that they’re changing their jerseys so that they have the five on the floor to support them.”
That seat neighbor who joins the fun is Miles Fitch (wearing the No. 1 jersey in the top photo). The other “starters” are Patalano’s son Will, 16 (No. 24 jersey), his daughter Ali, 19, a UNC freshman, and his wife Jodi, a UNC alum. When Ali and Jodi couldn’t be at the Miami game, Will’s friends Noah Champney, 16 (No. 31), and Connor Hilliard, 15 (No. 25), filled in.
“It was just a fun way for my son and his friends to kind of keep the game lively, and it had that effect,” Patalano said. “They said they had the most fun they’ve had at any women’s game, and it really makes you pay attention. There’s been a few times where we got so engaged in the game, we had to check the jerseys to make sure we had the right jersey.”
For the Miami game, his crew wore T-shirts with Kayla McPherson’s name and number on the back under their jerseys to support the redshirt sophomore who is out for the season.
“We wanted to show the love to Kayla because she is so pivotal to the team, coaching, listening, supporting her teammates, and cheering them on from the bench,” Patalano said.
The players appreciate the inventive way to support them.
“I just thought it was really funny that they will switch out every time someone subbed in,” junior center Maria Gakdeng said, noting the support for McPherson. “So, I think showing support even for the players who aren’t on the floor is really remarkable.”
Patalano was in Richmond when the Tar Heels beat Louisiana Tech to win the 1994 national championship and is a longtime supporter, which is one reason he’s in the Bench Seat Program.
“A lot of us who have these seats along the bench are loyal supporters of the women’s program. So, we like to donate our time, donate to the school to help the women’s basketball program be successful,” said Patalano, who lives in New Hill and has a hybrid job as chief legal officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana that has him working in Baton Rouge a couple of days a week.
Not only does he show an added layer of support at games, but buying Fanatics jerseys at shop.goheels.com helps the players financially through NIL revenue.
“Just supporting these fine young women who are giving their all for the university,” Patalano said. “It’s a cool way to help them through the NIL, but also show them some support. It’s hard to have a favorite kid when you talk about it, so why not have a jersey for all of them?”
He could only pull off his idea last month when jerseys for nearly the entire team became available. The only players without jerseys available are freshman walk-on guard Sydney Barker and freshman forward RyLee Grays, but Patalano says he has something for them if they get into the game.
He’s already added something special to the gameday experience.
Top photo courtesy of Louis Patalano
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