Behind Enemy Lines - Week Seven: Chapel Hill
Behind Enemy Lines isa weekly feature on HurricaneSports.com, highlighting the passion of Miami fansin opposing team territory. And if you’re reading this from Tallahassee, Fla., give us a shout at @HurricaneSports – we want to hear from you.
This week’s Cane “Behind Enemy Lines” …
Eric Walford
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
How did you become aHurricanes fan?
“My allegiance to The Ubegan in undergrad and continued through my four years at the Miller School ofMedicine. There was nothing likewatching a Canes victory in the Orange Bowl. Whether it was tailgating with Matt and Pauloutside Sun Life Stadium or watching an amazing Canes comeback at DoakCampbell, Hurricane football has always been the highlight of my weekend.”
Do you find itdifficult supporting Miami all the way from Chapel Hill?
“No way! We have been proud supporters of theHurricanes even though we are no longer in Miami. Generally, people in Chapel Hill are prettykind; however, we did have an incident at a local restaurant with a Gator fan(surprise). Don’t worry – we took careof it!”
Is there a place you visit to watch Hurricanes games in the city?
“Luckily,we have been able to get all the Canes games this season on TV. There is a group of Triangle Canes fans whowe hope to get together with at some point this season to watch a game.”
Have you found any other Hurricanes fans in Chapel Hill?
“Many ofmy colleagues at UNC Hospitals are University of Miami alumni and Canes fans, including Dr. Ryan Madanick. There are ahandful of Miller School graduates at Duke as well.”
How do you support the Hurricanes – Any apartmentdecorations? Favorite piece of Canes gear? Travel for games?
“Every Saturday, we put out our Canes flag. We also have a Canes shrine in our livingroom, complete with a framed Ken Dorsey photo. I always wear my #52 Ray Lewis jersey (unless I am at the hospital -then I’ll wear one of my orange and green ties) and my wife wears her #11Dorsey jersey. Last weekend, we were inChicago for the Notre Dame game, and we plan to attend all Canes games in theTriangle.”
Any favorite memories or stories from your time as aHurricanes fan?
“My first Canes game was versus FSU in the Orange Bowl in2004. I remember standing the entiregame while trying to see around one of the infamous field-obstructing poles inthe student section. Of course, Miamiwon 16-10 in overtime for their sixth consecutive win over the Seminoles.
Another of my fondest memories was traveling to the NC Stategame with Category 5 back in 2004. Mywife and I had just started dating and have been together ever since. Before the game, Kate and I went to CollegeGameDay and represented The U among hundreds of Wolfpack fans. Devin Hester had a 100-yard kick return,leading the ‘Canes to a 45-31 victory.”
