University of North Carolina Athletics
World's Largest Ram Unveiled In Front Of Kenan Football Center
November 18, 2002 | Football
Nov. 18, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Irwin Belk, a 1945 University of North Carolina graduate and track letterwinner, helped unveil the "World's Largest Ram" today at a ceremony on the UNC campus. The Ram, which weighs over 2,000 pounds and stands nearly eight feet tall is a gift from the Belk family. It was sculpted by Sweden's Kent Ullberg and is located on a four-foot high platform in front of the Kenan Football Center where it will permanently reside.
"Carolina has great landmarks like the Old Well and the Bell Tower," said Athletic Director Dick Baddour, who was one of several UNC athletic department officials on-hand. "This Ram will take its place among all the other great landmarks at Carolina."
Among those attending the ceremony were Irwin Belk, Carl Belk, Baddour, Ullberg, Rams Club President John Montgomery, former Rams Club President Moyer Smith, Senior Associate Athletic Director Willie Scroggs and UNC Head Football Coach John Bunting. Members of Carolina's athletic operations staff put the Ram in place yesterday evening.
"Our family loves the Tar Heels," said Belk. "I have had other sculptures commissioned at other Universities, but to me, this is the most special, and the largest. I wanted the best man to do the job and Kent Ullberg is the world's most famous sculptor of wildlife."
On the plaque on the base of the platform was the following: The World's Largest Ram Presented To The University And Its Athletic Teams With Pride By Irwin Belk - Class of 1945, William Irwin Belk - Class of 1971, Marilyn Belk Wallis - Class of 1975, Carl G. Belk - Class of 1982, and Anne Reynolds Belk - Class of 1985. Dedicated: November 18, 2002 Sculptor: Kent Ullberg.
