Regardless of his political leanings, as a State grad I can’t think of any coach I despise more than Dean Smith. I mean I have nothing but contempt for Williams as well but Smith is the worst.
Considering UNC is hands down THE favorite school of NC residents and natives, AG Stein has nothing to lose with this move. There are local Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest fans, but UNC has a lot more. Especially since Duke and Wake Forest are private schools and thus much of their alumni aren't natives and/or locals.
I’m honestly not sure. Yeah, Carolina has more fans, but a lot of them are what we referred to as “Wal-Mart fans” because they didn’t really have any affiliation with the University but just picked up a sweatshirt somewhere and jumped on the bandwagon. I’m not sure their support of the school goes beyond cos-playing on game day and cheering them on. Additionally, they’re known as a “liberal” school so I suspect most of their alumni still living in state are already supporting Harris.
Alternatively, other schools in the state absolutely hate Carolina. In regards to State, it was historically the “redneck” school but that’s not necessarily still accurate and probably has more persuadable voters.
All that being said, I doubt it moves the needle much at all. If they were the actual candidate, it would be a different story. I would have to consider how much my vote actually mattered before I could vote for one of them. If it were a toss-up yeah, I’m sure I’d do it. But if they were already favored to win it would be the first time I’d skip a race on a ballot. I know it’s irrational, but the hatred really is that strong. I’m sure there are a lot of less partisan folks who would absolutely vote against them solely due to that issue.
It’s all based on the rivalry, but with Smith specifically, he was around during the lowest point of State’s history so he is the face of the double standard in the treatment between the two schools. There are also rumors that Smith was behind the post season ban State received in 1973 (when there was a good chance we would have won the tourney).
Regardless of his political leanings, as a State grad I can’t think of any coach I despise more than Dean Smith. I mean I have nothing but contempt for Williams as well but Smith is the worst.
Right, but do you think support from UNC coaches in ads will actually lose more votes from alumni of rival universities than it gains?
Considering UNC is hands down THE favorite school of NC residents and natives, AG Stein has nothing to lose with this move. There are local Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest fans, but UNC has a lot more. Especially since Duke and Wake Forest are private schools and thus much of their alumni aren't natives and/or locals.
I’m honestly not sure. Yeah, Carolina has more fans, but a lot of them are what we referred to as “Wal-Mart fans” because they didn’t really have any affiliation with the University but just picked up a sweatshirt somewhere and jumped on the bandwagon. I’m not sure their support of the school goes beyond cos-playing on game day and cheering them on. Additionally, they’re known as a “liberal” school so I suspect most of their alumni still living in state are already supporting Harris.
Alternatively, other schools in the state absolutely hate Carolina. In regards to State, it was historically the “redneck” school but that’s not necessarily still accurate and probably has more persuadable voters.
All that being said, I doubt it moves the needle much at all. If they were the actual candidate, it would be a different story. I would have to consider how much my vote actually mattered before I could vote for one of them. If it were a toss-up yeah, I’m sure I’d do it. But if they were already favored to win it would be the first time I’d skip a race on a ballot. I know it’s irrational, but the hatred really is that strong. I’m sure there are a lot of less partisan folks who would absolutely vote against them solely due to that issue.
That's a really strong hatred!
Why? Is it just due the college rivalry or is there something else?
It’s all based on the rivalry, but with Smith specifically, he was around during the lowest point of State’s history so he is the face of the double standard in the treatment between the two schools. There are also rumors that Smith was behind the post season ban State received in 1973 (when there was a good chance we would have won the tourney).
The 1973 ban is something I am 99% confident Dean was behind. I fully acknowledge that I am biased, though.
I looked up the ban, expecting to find something shocking, but the infractions, though numerous, seem like small potatoes to me: https://www.statefansnation.com/2009/08/results-of-1972-ncaa-investigation-of-nc-state/#sthash.YHTzUyNJ.dpbs
I am the "BJD95" from that weblog project. Consider it a mark of great pride that it made it into this realm!
I miss statefansnation, was surprised to see a post from earlier this year.