Total Tar Heels: Nov. 22, 2017

As we look ahead to Thanksgiving tomorrow, read on for numerous ways that UNC student-athletes show their gratitude and give back to our community. We're grateful for the way they represent Carolina!

Total Tar Heels is a digest that provides a behind-the-scenes look at UNC student-athletes and some of the things they do away from competition.

CAROLINA SPOTLIGHT
The new Carolina Spotlight feature on GoHeels.com highlights student-athletes achievements outside of athletics. For a look at all of the honorees since the feature's launch over the summer, click here.

ACADEMICS
• Three student-athletes were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honorary society this month, recognizing the academic excellence they've achieved while competing at the highest levels in athletics. Less than one percent of college students nationally qualify for induction. Those honored this fall were Emma Astrike-Davis (women's cross country/track & field), Morgan Lane (gymnastics) and Frances Reuland (women's soccer).

• Women's soccer was honored with a Team Academic Award for 2016-17 from the United Soccer Coaches. The award recognizes teams that achieved a squad GPA of 3.0 or better. UNC was honored for the fourth time overall and the first since 2013.

• UNC's Graduation Success Rate continues to rise and is up two points in the latest NCAA data, released in November. Nine Carolina teams scored 100 percent for the four-year period in their respective GSRs including men's and women's fencing, field hockey, women's golf, gymnastics, women's lacrosse, women's swimming and diving, men's tennis and volleyball.

• William Sweet, a member of the Tar Heel football team, was part of the winning team at the Carolina Pitch Party, in which students submit ideas for a start-up business. Read more here about Sweet's idea.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Be sure to follow UNC Student-Athlete Development on Twitter for frequent updates on Tar Heel student-athlete life!

• The rowing team held its annual Erg-A-Thon on Oct. 11, with all proceeds supporting breast cancer research at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. See some of the erging here!

• The field hockey team designated its Oct. 20 game against Duke its Vs. Cancer game. The team raised money for Vs. Cancer, supporting the fight against childhood cancers. The week leading up to the game was fall break, and the team spent a day of that at UNC Hospitals, visiting with patients and learning more about the hospital's mission.

Thanks to @UNCFieldHockey for visiting our pediatric oncology patients and putting big smiles on their faces. @GoHeels pic.twitter.com/kl98D6EoSm
— UNC Lineberger (@UNC_Lineberger) October 20, 2017

• Carolina Athletics teamed with the campus partners including the Carolina Center for Public Service for the Carolina Bucket Brigade. Student-athletes helped assemble buckets with cleaning supplies that will be sent to communities in the U.S. and abroad that are still cleaning up from recent natural disasters.

Disaster Relief Buckets filled! ? pic.twitter.com/glI0lL3x5G
— UNC SA Development (@UNC_SADev) November 10, 2017

• The men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming and diving held build days for Habitat for Humanity this fall.

#HeelsInTheCommunity

Members of @uncswimdive traded in their swim caps for hard hats @orangehabitat today ???????? pic.twitter.com/hqqVAX8G0S
— UNC SA Development (@UNC_SADev) October 21, 2017

2nd annual @UNCMensLacrosse and @uncwlax Habitat for Humanity Build was a success! ???????? pic.twitter.com/bIONrQNwnU
— UNC SA Development (@UNC_SADev) November 19, 2017

• Women's soccer players Megan Buckingham and Annie Kingman visited Northside Elementary School for Duke Energy Reading Day.
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• Members of the men's lacrosse, football and baseball teams helped teach middle school students about leadership as part of Tar Heel Preview Day.

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• Several teams have cooked meals at SECU Family House and Ronald McDonald House this fall, including rowing, which has done both a dinner and a breakfast. And the men's lacrosse team has assisted with outdoor work around the Ronald McDonald House.

The @UNCRowing team is up early to cook a yummy breakfast at the @SECUFamilyHouse this morning! pic.twitter.com/hgKef7idBX
— UNC SA Development (@UNC_SADev) November 12, 2017

#HeelsInTheCommunity @UNCMensLacrosse helping our friends at the @RMHch today! pic.twitter.com/AvbZbIkpPR
— UNC SA Development (@UNC_SADev) November 17, 2017

• Football continued its tradition of home game Friday visits to UNC Hospitals.

Fridays Are For the Kids!

Thanks for all the smiles today, @uncchildrens! ?? pic.twitter.com/tXlSJ1z2m3
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) November 17, 2017

• The annual Heeloween party at UNC Children's Hospital was a hit! Student-athletes decorated the pediatric play atrium then hosted a party for young patients and also trick or treated the halls and made visits to patients who were unable to attend the party.

TAR HEEL ALUMS
• Check out this feature on UNC graduate and former football player Jason Brown, who left an NFL career to run a farm that helps to combat food insecurity in North Carolina.

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

William Sweet

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