RE: Some history of our schools
UNC Charlotte was established in 1946 as the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina. It was originally founded to serve the educational needs of returning WWII veterans. In 1949, the city transformed into a 2-year institution, becoming Charlotte College (also the origin of the nickname "49ers"). The school became a four-year institution in 1963.
Current Enrollment: ~26,000
For athletics purposes, the school is officially known as "Charlotte."
Some notable people:
Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers
Joe Posnanski (helluva sportswriter)
Chelsea Cooley (Miss USA 2005)
Kimberly Aiken (Miss America 1994)
Clay Aiken (sadly)
Some notable faculty:
Jamie Franki: designer of 2005 American Bison nickel, the forward facing nickel, and the Olympic Medal.
Blair Rudes: professor of linguistics that re-created the extinct language of Virginia Algonquian for the movie The New World.
Kathy Reichs: author and inspiration of the Fox show Bones
Baseball began playing in 1979. We have 5 conference championships, with 4 of them since 2007.
The Men's Golf team won 6 consecutive conference championship from 2006-2011, placing 3rd at Nationals in 2007 and 8th in 2008. Consensus #1 ranking in the fall of 2007.
The women's basketball team (off to a 12-4 start this year) has won 4 conference championships, most recently in 2009; and went to the WNIT final four last year.
The Women's Soccer team began play in 1994 and has 6 conference championships, with 4 of them coming since 2006.
Men's Indoor Track: 7 conference championships, including 6 since 2006.
Men's Outdoor Track: 4 conference championships, all since 2006.
Women's Indoor Track: 5 conference championships, all since 2006.
Women's Outdoor Track: 5 conference championships, all since 2006.
Men's Soccer: began in 1976. Lost the national championship game to UNC-CHeat in 2011 (got hosed, is more like it). Also made a College Cup appearance in 1996. 7 NCAA tournament appearances (all since 1991), with 5 conference tournament championships and 9 conference regular season championships.
Men's Basketball: began play in 1965 in the NAIA until 1970. Made the NCAA final four in 1977. 11 NCAA tournament appearances, 6 conference tournament championships, and 5 conference regular season championships. Notable players include Cedric Cornbread Maxwell, Eddie Basden, Byron Dinkins, and Rodney White. The most meaningful retired jersey, to me, is Charles Hayward. One of the highest rated high school players to ever attend Charlotte (note, Michael Beasley decommitted and went to KSU, instead), Hayward lost his battle with leukemia while at Charlotte and never got to live up to his vast potential. Truly heartbreaking story to read about.
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