Tar Heel Spirit in Action

These six blonde cheerleaders line up at Chapel Hill, hands on each other’s backs, looking at the audience from the stadium bleachers. With white pompoms and cute mascot face-painting, they dazzle in sparkling crop-top cheerleading uniforms featuring a big university logo. They embody the Tar Heel spirit, a nickname for the University of North Carolina students and athletes.

The term “Tar Heel” dates back to the state’s history in the naval stores industry. That’s where workers often had tar on their heels, hence the name. Their enthusiasm and charm bring life to the stadium, making them essential ambassadors of school pride and tradition.