What is the mascot of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

In 1924, Vic Huggins, UNC's head cheerleader felt that Carolina needed a mascot. At the time, Jack Merritt, also know as the "Battering Ram"' was a popular member of the Carolina football team. That prompted Vic to think of a ram. The school coughed up $25 to buy a ram and made it's purchase in Texas in 1924. A ram has been the mascot ever since.

Carolina is often referred to as Tar Heels, but that reference is allegedly due to the State of North Carolina being known as The Tar Heel State, the origin of which is uncertain. Some feel that it is due to to tobacco tar or the production of naval stores. Others claim it is from colonial rebels crossing the Tar River during the Revolutionary War after Cornwallis had dumped tar in the river to impede the colonists ability to cross the river. They crossed, but their feet were heavily tarred. Others would argue that it was from a North Carolina military unit that held it's ground during a Civil War battle as supporting units retreated. Confederate generals remarked that the North Carolina men held their ground like "tar was stuck to their heels".