UNC Cheerleading

Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Cheerleading.

UNC mascot Jason Ray died 10 years ago, but his parents assure his spirit lives on

Ten years ago, the phone call that every parent dreads rang in the house Charlotte and Emmitt Ray. Their son Jason Ray – a charismatic senior at the University of North Carolina who had played Rameses, the Tar Heels mascot, for three years at UNC sporting events – had been struck by a car in New Jersey. (Charlotte Observer)

UNC's Cardboard Club Brought Color, Creativity to Kenan Stadium

The Cardboard Club, started in 1948 by UNC cheerleader Norman Sper, coordinated and produced displays at UNC football games, using colored cardboard squares to form words and images in the stands. The club was discontinued in 1987, in part due to safety concerns–students often sent their cardboard panels flying towards the field at the end of games, hitting fellow spectators. (UNC.edu)

History of UNC’s mascot Rameses

This is what happened. Head cheerleader Vic Huggins noticed a lack of school spirit for the Tar Heels. So instead of making the school’s mascot a giant foot with black muck on the heel, he suggested that the team make its mascot a ram. The idea was based on UNC’s star football player, Jack Merritt, who was nicknamed, the “Battering Ram.” (Tar Heel Blog)

Marcus Paige announces engagement to longtime girlfriend

Love is in the air in Chapel Hill. Former North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige asked longtime girlfriend Taylor Hartzog — the Tar Heels' dance team captain — to marry him on Sunday. "Of all the great moments I've had in Chapel Hill, none can top this! Love you @TayZogz," Paige wrote on Twitter. (Carolina Blue)

UNC Hospitals Honors Former Mascot Jason Ray

UNC Hospitals has officially named their transplant center after former UNC mascot Jason Ray. His father Emmett Ray talked to UNC about the dedication. “I think it’s incredible because he loved Chapel Hill and he loved UNC,” he said. “I just think what a legacy for a 21 year-old.” (Chapelboro.com)

UNC transplant clinic renamed to honor former Tar Heel student mascot

The UNC Transplant Clinic was renamed Saturday to honor a former student who was killed in 2007 (Video). Jason Ray performed as the UNC mascot, Rameses, for three seasons before he was killed. He was hit from behind while walking on a highway shoulder near his hotel in Fort Lee after going to a nearby convenience store while in New Jersey for the NCAA Tournament. (WNCN)

UNC Hospitals To Dedicate Transplant Clinic to Local Hero During National Donate Life Month

UNC Hospitals will recognize and celebrate a beloved member of the UNC community this Saturday, and change the name of its transplant clinic to UNC Hospitals Jason Ray Transplant Clinic in honor of the late Jason Ray. Jason Ray, former UNC Tar Heels mascot, was the victim of an automobile-versus-pedestrian accident on March 23, 2007. (UNC Health Care)

UNC Hospitals names transplant clinic for Jason Ray

UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill will dedicate the Jason Ray Transplant Clinic this Saturday, April 16, to honor his memory and the contributions of his family and friends. Ray is the former UNC student from Concord who died tragically in an auto-pedestrian accident while he was traveling with Tar Heels as the Rameses mascot at the 2007 NCAA basketball tournament. (Independent Tribune)

10 more facts on Taylor Hartzog and Marcus Paige

On Friday, The Daily Tar Heel published "You are the turning queen," a feature on dance team captain Taylor Hartzog. The story focuses on her as a dancer and her relationship with basketball player Marcus Paige — but not everything made the story. Assistant Editor Ryan Schocket went back into his notes to find 10 more interesting facts about Hartzog and Paige. (Daily Tar Heel)

Rumors about assault on UNC mascot prove to be untrue

Despite rumors and apparent video evidence, Brown Walters, the director of UNC spirit programs, said the student in the Rameses costume was not punched. After the tragic UNC loss in the national championship game Monday, a video surfaced on the internet showing what appeared to be a fan punching Rameses in his oversized face. (Daily Tar Heel)

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