Newmark brings NASCAR mindset to UNC athletics, acknowledging it will make some ‘uncomfortable’

Steve Newmark grew up in Chapel Hill, rode his father’s shoulders during the 1982 NCAA championship celebration on Franklin Street, and once got permission to skip a college exam to watch the 1993 Final Four with his family. He says honoring the UNC athletics traditions will require bold changes that some Carolina fans might resist.

Family atmosphere, broadcast dreams, chance to develop made it hard for Harris to say ‘no’ to UNC again

When Nyla Harris faced North Carolina in a Louisville jersey, she expected talent. What she didn’t expect was what stayed with her: the connection. The 6–2 senior says the family-oriented atmosphere that was evident when she played against UNC helped convince her that Chapel Hill was the place to play her final college basketball season.

Banghart’s European wing, Russian Astakhova, arrives week after Bogavac

It took about 75 days for Coach Hubert Davis’ European wing player to arrive in Chapel Hill, but it only took about 64 days for Coach Courtney Banghart to welcome hers. After Montenegrin Luca Bogavac finally made it to the Carolina campus last week, Russian Liza Astakhova finally met her new Carolina teammates this week after committing to UNC on June 17.

Plunked but productive: hot Kepley bringing his brand of grit to Cubs system

The first pitch Kane Kepley saw in professional baseball didn’t miss — it hit him. Even before that, he was already in a hole. Stepping into the batter’s box on Aug. 5 for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Chicago Cubs’ Low-A Carolina League affiliate, the plate umpire flagged the rookie center fielder with a pitch-clock violation before he’d even seen a pitch.