Behind Enemy Lines: North Carolina

Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly feature on HurricaneSports.com, highlighting the passion of Miami fans in opposing team territory. And if you’re reading this from Maryland, give us a shout at @HurricaneSports – we want to hear from you.
This week, the Canes travel to North Carolina to face the Tar Heels in a key conference game. This week’s Cane “Behind Enemy Lines” lives nearby in Charlotte and will be supporting her alma mater as they take on one of the ACC’s most historic basketball programs…
Laura Bouvin2011 University of Miami GraduateCharlotte, N.C.
How did you become a Hurricanes fan?“I went to Physical Therapy school at Miami. During my time there, I was able to go to the games all the time. My love for the Canes grew even more after watching the documentary “The U.” From there, it just started translating into the other sports and now I root for the Canes all the time.”
Do you find it difficult supporting Miami while living in North Carolina?“It’s actually pretty easy. All my friends here are either UNC, NC State, or Duke fans, so it makes it really competitive and fun to root for the Canes in the middle of ACC country. It’s great living in a place saturated with ACC teams because I have the opportunity to go to Hurricane games nearby.”
Is there a place you visit to watch Hurricanes games in the city?“I’ve been in Chapel Hill a couple of times to watch games. The fans are amazingly polite and never give me any trouble for wearing my UM gear, even after a football game we won. I’m not quite sure they would experience the same if they came to Miami to watch a game!”
Have you found any other Hurricanes fans in North Carolina?“During one Miami/UNC game, I was one of two fans in a sea of Carolina fans at a bar. We teamed up to cheer against everyone else. It was a lot of fun to find someone else rooting for The U, especially when you don’t expect it in a city filled with Tar Heels.”
How do you support the Hurricanes – Any apartment decorations? Do you have a favorite piece of Canes gear? Travel for games?“My car sports a “U” sticker on the back window for all Carolina fans to see. Also, my dog has a very stylish UM collar. I have traveled to Chapel Hill multiple times to watch games and will travel all over the state to see my Canes play!”
Any favorite memories or stories from your time as a Hurricanes basketball fan?“I vividly remember the Miami/Georgia Tech game in February 2010 that we won on a buzzer beater. It was so exciting, and my friends and I had a great night celebrating after!”