The dramatic comebacks, buzzer beaters, and upsets of March Madness have introduced generations of North Carolinians to a host of iconic college basketball players and coaches.
sports
Most Improved Sports Fan
Sometimes, when his house full of Tar Heel fanatics huddles up around the TV, the Ramblin’ Man gets to feeling a little sidelined. Hard as he tries, “tackle” and “net” conjure visions of mountain streams, even during football and basketball seasons.
Livin’ on a Prayer at Gotham’s Deli
In Smithfield, a family has blessed North Carolina’s Coastal Plain with a welcoming New York-style deli.
A Local’s Guide to Chapel Hill
Former Tar Heel basketball player Marcus Ginyard shares his top recommendations for exploring this quintessential Southern college town and campus — including his favorite restaurants, outdoor spots, and more.
A Decorated Duo: Greensboro’s Father-Son Olympians
Nearly two decades after his father and coach hung up his track spikes, sprinter Randolph Duane Ross Jr. joined his father as an Olympian — and won a gold medal in Tokyo.
Feeder of the Pack: Players Retreat in Raleigh
Over its 70 years, the Players Retreat has played many roles in Raleigh: hangout for NC State actors after performances, shrine to Wolfpack athletics, sports bar with a fine-dining pedigree. Plus, it serves a heck of a burger.
The 1980s: Michael Jordan Changes the Game
Before he was the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan was an athletic kid from Wilmington. In 1981, he heads to Chapel Hill to hone the skills and competitive spirit that launch him to superstardom.
Home-Field Advantage
Torry and Terrence Holt grew up playing football in Gibsonville. Within a few short years, they were stars in the NFL. Today, they spend the holidays together with family and friends in Raleigh, looking back on lives lived with integrity.
Going for Gold: Mooresville’s Olympic Connection
The Olympic dreams of a North Carolina engineer who designs bobsleds for Team USA were born in the Piedmont.