The UNC ram mascot, also known as Rameses, is a beloved symbol of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The ram mascot represents strength, determination, and the fighting spirit of the UNC athletes and fans. Rameses made its debut as the official mascot in 1924 during a football game against Virginia Military Institute. The idea for a ram mascot came from the UNC cheerleaders, who believed that a ram showcased the desired qualities of a Tar Heel, such as toughness and tenacity. The original Rameses was a prize-winning ram from Texas and was quickly embraced by the UNC community. Over the years, the mascot has become a cherished figure at sporting events and other university functions.
This version of costumed Rameses was more popular than the original and became a crowd-pleasing addition to both athletics and community events. This version remained in active service until the late 1990s, when the costume was updated to the current design familiar to UNC students of today. This new design achieved a desired middle-ground between the happy-go-lucky initial design and the grumpy Rameses of the 1990s.
He supports the Carolina Family, across a whopping 28 varsity teams by exemplifying strong character, sportsmanship, and care for those in his community. The first costume was designed locally and featured horns made out of clay, which made the costume head heavy and difficult to move for the student inside.
Over the years, the mascot has become a cherished figure at sporting events and other university functions. Rameses can be seen on the sidelines of football games, leading the team onto the field and energizing the crowd. The current Rameses is the 22nd ram to hold the title, and it is considered an honor for a ram to be chosen as the official mascot.
History of UNC’s mascot Rameses
With football season just around the corner and the Olympics getting under way, it seems like now is the best time to talk about everyone’s favorite mascot. I’m obviously talking about Rameses. Rameses has been the official mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels since 1924. The story is right out of a fairy tale…minus the prince charming and instead a prince ram from the state of Texas.
This is what happened. Head cheerleader Vic Huggins noticed a lack of school spirit for the Tar Heels. So instead of making the school’s mascot a giant foot with black muck on the heel, he suggested that the team make its mascot a ram. The idea was based on UNC’s star football player, Jack Merritt, who was nicknamed, the “Battering Ram.”
Huggins received the okay from the athletic business manager and $25 dollars later, Rameses I was plucked out of Texas and inserted into the UNC lineup of mascots. The story sounds great and interesting but what happened next is where the fairy tale with prince ram became known.
Picture this; UNC was playing Virginia Military Institute in football. After three quarters the game was tied 0-0. Sounds like a boring game, but it wasn’t. I wasn’t there, but that’s what I’ve been told. It was time for one last desperation attempt to break the scoreless tie. Insert UNC’s kicker, Bunn Hackney. Before taking the field, Hackney rubbed Rameses’ head for some good luck. He took the field, lined up, and nailed a 30-yard DROP KICK for the win. Fairy tale ending. Roll credits. Rameses stuck and has been the mascot ever since.
So when did the costume version come into existence? The school wanted a mascot that could attend indoor events. Due to popular demand, in 1987-1988 the first costume version of Rameses was officially established at UNC. However, the first version was not well received and described as “wimpy.” Changes were made, and in 1989, a meaner looking mascot debuted and helped shape the version of what you see today.
The costume version of Rameses has evolved ever since first being established as UNC’s mascot. Just last year, a smaller, more friendlier-looking version of Rameses was created. This newly beloved mascot came to be known as Rameses Junior, or RJ. This was put into place to be more appealing to small children who found the mean-looking mascot scary and discomforting.
I went back and forth on whether to talk about this because I really only associate the good with Rameses. However, I decided to address the dark times that Rameses has endured.
In 1996 someone snuck onto the farm in which Rameses XXIII lived and killed the beautiful creature. The man was later caught and it was discovered that he was drunk and charged with animal cruelty and being a terrible human being.
In 2007, Jason Ray, the student dressed as the costume version of Rameses, was hit and killed by a van while walking on the road in New Jersey for the Tar Heels Sweet Sixteen matchup with the University of Southern California. Jason Ray helped save the lives of 118 people by being an organ donor. As a result, UNC renamed its transplant clinic to the “Jason Ray Transplant Clinic.”
Over time, there have been a total of 22 Rameses, including the current one, which recently became the father to twins during the Final Four this past year.
Speaking of the Final Four, the current Rameses was not punched after the Villanova game. I repeat, he was not punched after the Villanova game. He was, instead, bumped by workers setting up the stage for the ceremony, and tripped over a cheerleader’s foot. I’ve heard many things about what happened, including getting punched by a Villanova fan, and even heard rumors that a fellow UNC fan hit him. It is surprising how many people still think this is the case. So there it is, rumor debunked. I feel like the dudes from Myth Busters.
Anyways, Rameses has a deep and historical history that UNC fans should be proud of. From the game-winning kick, to the men like Jason Ray who wore the costume proudly and made the university even prouder through his heroic actions. It will be fun to see what other great things this mascot brings to the university for years to come.
Rameses is known for its striking appearance, with a full set of horns and a regal presence. The ram symbolizes the strength and determination of UNC athletes in their pursuit of victory. In addition to its role at sporting events, Rameses also participates in community outreach programs and engages with fans on social media. The mascot is a source of pride for UNC students, alumni, and fans, and its presence adds to the excitement and tradition of Tar Heel athletics. In conclusion, the UNC ram mascot, Rameses, is an iconic symbol of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With its strength and determination, the ram represents the fighting spirit of UNC athletes and fans. The mascot has a long history and is deeply cherished by the university community. Rameses adds to the excitement and tradition of Tar Heel athletics and serves as a source of pride for all..
Reviews for "From Student to Mascot: The Tar Heels' Unique Selection Process for the Ram Role"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really excited to see the UNC ram mascot, but I was sorely disappointed. The costume looked cheap and poorly made, and the ram looked more like a stuffed animal than a real mascot. The person inside the costume also didn't seem very enthusiastic or engaging with the crowd. Overall, it was underwhelming and didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mike - 1 star
The UNC ram mascot was a complete letdown. The costume design was uninspiring, and it lacked any sort of creativity. It seemed like they just slapped a generic ram face on a plain uniform and called it a day. Additionally, the person inside the costume didn't have any energy or excitement, making the whole experience lackluster. I expected more from a university with such a prestigious athletic program.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
I found the UNC ram mascot to be quite unimpressive. The costume design was outdated and didn't convey the spirit of the university at all. The ram itself looked tired and worn out, and it didn't do a good job of engaging with the crowd. Overall, it was a forgettable experience, and I hope they consider revamping the mascot to better represent the school's energy and enthusiasm.