My Carolina Experience: Iman McFarland
March 9, 2016 | Women's Basketball
My Carolina Experience: Iman McFarland
By Zoya Johnson, GoHeels.com
Having joined her peewee league at just six years old and soon making it into AAU system, the recruiting experience started relatively early for former University of North Carolina women's basketball player Iman McFarland. She received her first college recruiting offer in the eighth grade, and from there McFarland's involvement in large AAU tournaments continued to spark interest from top tier programs.
She thoroughly enjoyed playing with her teammates who had become more like her sisters, and was constantly thankful for the experiences her talent afforded her. However, in McFarland's mind her hard work was not just about being successful on the court. It was about where that success could take her.
“I always had the mindset that if I am going to play, I should play well, so I was committed to training and playing to the best of my abilities,” McFarland says in reflecting on the process.
That attitude clearly worked, as McFarland became a major contributor to her nationally-ranked high school basketball team every year of her career. That coupled with a regional triple crown in her junior year and being selected as the Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year, caught the eye of all of the universities that were on her list and then some.
When it came to figuring out what set Carolina apart from the rest of her top choices, McFarland made sure to leave no room for doubt before making her decision to commit. “I attended summer camps at all my top choices so I could get the inside scoop and a good sense of how the players and coaches interacted with one another. I am an only child so having that sense of family was important to me.
“In the end it felt like Carolina chose me. Coach Sylvia Hatchell went above and beyond what any other coach did during the recruiting process. My interactions with the UNC players when I was being recruited were always friendly and fun. They were always laughing and having a great time together on and off the court, and they made sure to include me when I was around even though I was an awkward high schooler who adored them. It was truly a culmination of both the warm and family-oriented coaching staff with the fun, welcoming and energetic personalities of the girls on the team that got me hooked.”
While in undergraduate studies, McFarland felt supported by her coaches, advisors, teammates and professors as she completed her exercise and sport science major. She intended on continuing to medical school and becoming a pediatrician. In the end, McFarland found herself dreading the thought of going back to school for another seven years.
“After graduation UNC was there to offer me an opportunity to pursue what I realized was my passion, entrepreneurship. I was honored to be accepted into the Carolina Business Institute, a four and a half week intensive classroom-based program that prepares nonbusiness majors to excel in the field.
“I was attracted to consulting because it challenged me and I loved the idea of being my own boss, being financially independent, and having something to call my own. After CBI I started my own consulting firm out of my off campus apartment in Farrington Lakes, and booked three clients in a matter of weeks.
“After growing my business for the last six years, I decided to get my Masters in Business Administration at Howard University in Washington, D.C. I will be graduating this May. Without Carolina's wealth of opportunities I am not sure I would be where I am today.
“I have been around the world, I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most powerful minds, and I have made connections and friendships that will last a lifetime. In my experience, Carolina pushed me to my limits and then cheered me on to be able to overcome them.
“What many student-athletes don't realize, is their experiences in college, especially at UNC, give them a multitude of positive characteristics that can often times benefit them in the corporate world. My event management consulting firm provided me with the once in a lifetime opportunity to work the Presidential Inaugural Ball. Currently I am focusing the majority of my efforts on my family's business, 21st Century Expo Group. It means everything to me and I want to commit myself to its growth. In the future I hope to start to make more strides with my personal tech start up ILM Solutions.
“The decision to start my own company was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The other was deciding to attend Carolina. With high caliber athletics, hall of fame coaches, first class academics, the coolest students around, and a commitment to your future after athletics - what more could a student-athlete want? At Carolina all you really need is it to come with an open mind, be your best self and enjoy the ride.”