Know Their Names

We asked a cross-section of Carolina head coaches to identify the unsung heroes within their programs. Their responses ran the gamut from student-athletes to staff members to, yes, Rams Club members.

BY PAT JAMES // PHOTOS BY JEFFREY CAMARATI, ALEX KORMANN, MAGGIE HOBSON, BETSY MANN & UNC WOMEN’S GOLF

UNSUNG HERO: THE CAROLINA TENNIS CIRCLE

“Our team’s unsung heroes are a group that loves Carolina Tennis but might not be known to most of our fans. The Carolina Tennis Circle, founded and led by Joe Frierson and Jon Balch. Those two, along with Tom and Nancy Chewning, are our unsung heroes. This program wouldn’t be where it is today without them. Very simply, they help us do what we do through their kindness, wisdom and generosity. They’ve always been there for us, supporting our program. We can’t thank them enough.” SAM PAUL MEN’S TENNIS, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: JESSICA BROOKS SCOTT

“My wife, Jessica, would be unsung hero of our program. She works behind the scenes helping out with so much of what we do. She always makes sure the team is well-fed at team dinners, our parents are taken care of on trips and much more. She has helped turn our program into a big family, something I really value a lot.”

COLEMAN SCOTT WRESTLING, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: SUE WALSH

“I would say the unsung hero for Carolina Swimming and Diving has to be Sue Walsh. Sue came in and is to this day the most successful swimmer to come through Carolina’s program. Additionally, she has tirelessly worked to support the program though her work in the Rams Club. She cares deeply about the athlete’s experience at Carolina and wants to see our program achieve greatness. She is always there for me, and I know she will always be there for Carolina.” MARK GANGLOFF SWIMMING & DIVING, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: JERRY PETITT

“The unsung hero for women’s golf is a gentleman by the name of Jerry Petitt. Our team first met Mr. Petitt several years ago when we were competing at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate tournament in Hilton Head, South Carolina. While our student-athletes were on the course, we noticed this gentleman decked out in Carolina Blue following each member of the team. I introduced myself and found out that he was a 1967 economics graduate of UNC and was a huge sports fan. As I recall from our conversation, Jerry indicated that he was a golfer but was also a huge fan of all the sports at Carolina. He said he lived in Bluffton, South Carolina, just outside of Hilton Head, but had season tickets to Carolina football and men’s and women’s basketball. “That day Jerry stayed and watched until our last player on the course completed her round. I then gathered the team and introduced them to Jerry. From that day forward Jerry has ‘adopted’ our team. He travels to most of our tournaments and he has affectionately been named by our student-athletes as “Uncle Jerry.” In the true spirit of being a member of our Carolina family, Uncle Jerry has become an integral part of our golf team’s extended family. He always checks with the coaches at the tournaments to see which student-athletes do not have a family member following them and makes sure to follow those individuals throughout their round. If he does not come to one of our tournaments, the team is disappointed and wants to know where he is. “When our season ended abruptly due to the virus, one of our team members reached out to Jerry to make sure he was doing OK. She even offered to have groceries delivered to his home and provide him with face masks. I received a call from Jerry after their conversation expressing how much the call meant and how much the team means to him. I hope that Jerry does not mind if I share this fact, but he has back problems and spending the day walking and watching golf can be tough on anyone’s back. Toward the end of a long day on the course, it is often evident that Jerry is in pain. The fact that he never gives up and is always there until the end is a testament for our team about determination and loyalty to the program. We love Uncle Jerry!”

JAN MANN WOMEN’S GOLF, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: KEN AND CHERYL WILLIAMS

“Their names are on our video board and on other buildings around campus, but their support goes so far beyond what people see. They come to our games, get to know our students and their families, and advocate for our teams. And they are such dear friends, truly wonderful people and so humble. They’ve been such an important part of our program and of our success.”

KAREN SHELTON FIELD HOCKEY, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: LIZ ROBERTS

“Liz was the quintessential teammate. What didn’t show up on the stat sheet was the key to our locker room and the culture that we protected. She brought consistent enthusiasm and a servant heart to every aspect of our program. Unsung by those on the outside, she’s revered by those within it.”

COURTNEY BANGHART WOMEN’S BASKETBALL, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: WILL RANDOLPH

“Will Randolph loves UNC, loves our program and has given so much to Carolina Athletics. As a fencer here, he was a captain and two-time Leader of Distinction. Now as an assistant coach, he coordinates recruiting, travel and many other things, in addition to coaching. He’s crucial to everything we’re doing, yet never draws attention to himself. He’s an extremely loyal presence working hard behind the scenes to help us achieve greatness.”

MATT JEDNAK FENCING, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HEROES: ALL

“Our program is filled with unsung heroes,, and they are all the people you never hear about or hardly hear about. It’s our strength and conditioning coach (Erik Hernandez), athletic trainer (Scott Oliaro), sports information director (Steve Kirschner), our academic counselor (Jordan Long), nutritionist (Rachel Manor) and sports psychologists (Drs. Jeni Shannon and Brendan Carr). These deeply passionate individuals work long hours to take care of the minds and bodies of our athletes, stay awake until midnight writing articles and posting graphics to tell our stories, keep our team members organized and efficient with their time, and simply constantly support our coaches and student-athletes. The other unsung heroes are our donors. They make everything just mentioned, and more, possible.”

ANDREW DIBITETTO MEN’S GOLF, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: KARA CANNIZZARO

“Kara brings enthusiasm, creativity and a can-do attitude to not only the women’s lacrosse program but to so many other areas in the athletic department. Kara wants to contribute and she wants to provide value any and everywhere she can. She not only identifies ways we can be better at North Carolina, she engages in creative problem-solving and is not afraid to challenge the status quo. If Kara decides to tackle a project, you know it will get done. She is reliable and thorough and always brings the fun. “Kara’s energy is off the charts, and it is not unusual for others in our department to want her input and assistance for an idea or project. She makes everyone she comes in contact with feel special, engaging coaches, alums, donors, fans and kids. In the past three years, there are not many parts of Carolina Athletics that Kara has not been involved with and impacted for the better – I would list everything, but fear I would leave something out. Kara has had a huge impact on Carolina Lacrosse, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make anything we do championship quality. Kara is truly an unsung hero around the Carolina athletic department.”

JENNY LEVY WOMEN’S LACROSSE, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: JORDAN LONG

“Jordan does a great job interacting with our student-athletes and coaches. He has their best interest at heart, and he is someone you can always count on to be an advocate for our student-athletes. He was outstanding in helping our players navigate through all of the changes that were occurring academically from the middle of March when our season got canceled through the rest of the semester. He helped the players through all kinds of situations – helping the seniors who are now going to be able to get an extra year figure out the best route for them, along with the seniors who needed to graduate, and helping the team through registration for the fall. “He has been a calming force for us and has helped keep our players on track and their eyes on the prize. We had one of our best academic semesters at a time when there was such uncertainty and chaos. We had three players achieve 4.0’s and a team GPA of 3.341. Additionally, we had 21 players achieve ACC Honor Roll, which is a first. Jordan is professional and is a calming force for our team. He helps guide our players in the right direction and is always willing to spend the time it takes to help them resolve a problem or help them in any situation. We appreciate all of his time and effort.”

DONNA J. PAPA SOFTBALL, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: SKYLAR WINE

“The unsung hero of our team this past year in 2019, who received our John Lotz Award, is Skylar Wine. She came off the bench all season and helped us win. She quietly got the job done. Unassuming, not flashy, but just played. She went from a starter in 2018 to a key role player as the “seventh woman” in 2019. And she was all about the team.”

JOE SAGULA VOLLEYBALL, HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: JAMES AYSCUE

“James Ayscue is an unsung hero of the rowing program. James is our head strength and conditioning coach and his work with the team makes us faster in so many ways. Lifting under his guidance obviously makes us stronger, but our time in the weight room develops more than just muscle strength. James has a deep understanding of the demands of rowing, and he uses this knowledge to develop a comprehensive strength and conditioning program that builds strength, flexibility and body control in ways that complement the demands of our sport. “He is also acutely aware of how the movements in the weight room translate into the biomechanics of the rowing stroke. He is constantly emphasizing a strong mental approach to lifting and body awareness, and this practice directly supports skills we are working on in the boat. James is enthusiastic and passionate about our sport, and he genuinely cares about each and every athlete. Our team loves him and he without a doubt makes us a better team.”

THOMAS REVELLE ROWING, INTERIM CO-HEAD COACH

UNSUNG HERO: TOM AND NANCY CHEWNING

“Tom and Nancy Chewning are the most selfless people I’ve ever met, and the support they’ve provided the men’s and women’s tennis programs has truly been remarkable. Sam Paul and I are forever grateful for Tom and Nancy’s generous support of our programs through the years.” BRIAN KALBAS WOMEN’S TENNIS, HEAD COACH

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