UNC Athletics: Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself

My name is Aaron Conrad and though I never played for a UNC Athletics team and live in Ohio, I like to consider myself a Tar Heel.

Let me begin by saying what an honor it is to contribute to Keeping It Heel.

As other Tar Heel fans outside of Chapel Hill can testify, we must get our fill and fix from somewhere. Keeping It Heel has been a source for me for many years now. It is one of my go-to locations for the latest news and information. To write for this site is truly an honor and privilege.

So who am I? I am a podcaster and founder of my own business in Columbus. I currently host one podcast, co-host 3 others, and produce a total of eight podcasts (and counting). I am a husband, father, and most important for this site,  a die-hard Tar Heel fan. I am often asked, “so why do you like UNC Athletics so much?”

Most people assume it is because of Michael Jordan, but my introduction to UNC Basketball actually began after 23 hit the shot in New Orleans.

When I wanted to learn how to play basketball, my mother just told me to “watch it on TV.” We didn’t have ESPN, social media, or access like we do today.  In those days, there was a team with baby blue uniforms, a player, and a coach I really liked.

That player was JR Reid.

That coach was Dean Smith.

I spent my Saturdays and all of March watching that team and learning the game, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

As many that will read this, it all started with basketball, but I follow each of the University of National Champions sports. I am a fan just like the rest of you. I live in the shadows of THE Ohio State University, but I have never wavered in my love of UNC Athletics. I thought the best way to introduce myself would be some highlights. If any of these are your memories too, we’re going to enjoy this journey together.

The day my first child was born, I showed up in North Carolina gear. I wanted him to know early and often that we are Tar Heel fans in our house.

Our middle daughter had the grades to get into UNC but decided to stay closer to home. I still save all of the mail from the University of North Carolina with her name on it.

My wife went into false labor during the 2003 Championship game with our youngest daughter. She arrived 4 days later.

We go to OBX every summer by way of Chapel Hill. In order to break up the long drive, we spend an evening on campus, visiting all of the sites and doing what the locals do.

If Kendall Marshall doesn’t break his wrist, I know there would be another banner hanging in Dean Dome.

I can never get over the Austin Rivers shot (although last year’s team exercised many of the demons like that one).

I won’t ever forget the thrill of Marcus Paige hitting an unbelievable shot and the agony of what followed after.

When Luke Maye hit the shot versus Kentucky, the power went out for about 10 minutes in Columbus due to a storm. I watched the rest of the game on my cell phone because that is what we do.

When the schedule for football and basketball is released every year, the first thing my family does is look at road games versus Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame. All of these are three-hour road trips and worth the miles for the memories.

The day Dean Smith passed away, I instructed my travel basketball team to run the four corners to salt away a win in our tournament.

I may or may not have said some things about last year’s team mid-season that I am not proud of.

I am not sure that there will ever be a turnaround and run like the one that the Tar Heels made last season.

I cannot wait for this season.

I’m thankful I GET to do this and be a part of this site.

My name is Aaron Conrad. Heather, Austin, Emma, Brynn, and I are Tar Heels.

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