Originally had this as a post in the AJ thread but my word vomit got the better of me so it gets its own thread.
Like most of us, my Tar Heel fandom has been thrown for a loop these last few years. When you factor in the rollercoaster we've been as an on-court product, the insanity of the transfer portal, and the wild west approach to NIL...it's been quite a ride since 2022.
However, one thing has been constant for me and I'm sure many other Tar Heel fans...this site and AJ. Whenever I was wondering "what in the hell is going on" (which again, has been frequent in the last few years), AJ has been there with grounded thoughts and discourse. He'd have 3 articles up and 2 podcasts before I could even my first cup of coffee in telling us everything is going to be ok or when it's time to worry. I also was fortunate enough to meet AJ at a game or two and he's the same genuinely awesome guy in person. In a world of college sports that has become so dark, AJ was one of the brightest lights shining through with integrity, professionalism, and pure hard work.
I've been a member on this site since 2007 and for the past 11 years with AJ it's been a huge escape from day to day life, which I think we all need. 24,000+ posts some might call an addiction rather than an escape but that's for another time. The reason for my heavy activity has always been the community AJ and staff built here. I said in a previous post here a few weeks back comparing THI and IC that you learn everyone's personalities here because of that. I know @gdean44 has more Carolina history displayed in his house than the Dean Dome. I know @TarHeelMark is one of the more level headed fans you'll ever come across and debating things with him is a joy. I will genuinely miss @Steat even though he's the target of my childish sarcasm quite often. I will very much miss @KevinHeel yelling at me for being a jerk (and of course the photos). My wife can question my sanity because I have a group text with @Ned Cota @tar_heelac and @RobJones__ (sorry boys, exposing it since this site will probably all be erased from history by On3 in a few weeks anyway).
All this to say thank you @andrew jones. You built a place that allowed me to become a bigger fan of the team I love. Whenever work was frustrating or my kids decided to throw an hour long tantrum before bed, I could hop on this site to read about my Tar Heels and laugh at the banter back and forth from my favorite Tar Heel fans. I look forward to following your work when you decide your next move and in the mean time, enjoy the time with your wife and daughter...you and they certainly deserve it.
Like most of us, my Tar Heel fandom has been thrown for a loop these last few years. When you factor in the rollercoaster we've been as an on-court product, the insanity of the transfer portal, and the wild west approach to NIL...it's been quite a ride since 2022.
However, one thing has been constant for me and I'm sure many other Tar Heel fans...this site and AJ. Whenever I was wondering "what in the hell is going on" (which again, has been frequent in the last few years), AJ has been there with grounded thoughts and discourse. He'd have 3 articles up and 2 podcasts before I could even my first cup of coffee in telling us everything is going to be ok or when it's time to worry. I also was fortunate enough to meet AJ at a game or two and he's the same genuinely awesome guy in person. In a world of college sports that has become so dark, AJ was one of the brightest lights shining through with integrity, professionalism, and pure hard work.
I've been a member on this site since 2007 and for the past 11 years with AJ it's been a huge escape from day to day life, which I think we all need. 24,000+ posts some might call an addiction rather than an escape but that's for another time. The reason for my heavy activity has always been the community AJ and staff built here. I said in a previous post here a few weeks back comparing THI and IC that you learn everyone's personalities here because of that. I know @gdean44 has more Carolina history displayed in his house than the Dean Dome. I know @TarHeelMark is one of the more level headed fans you'll ever come across and debating things with him is a joy. I will genuinely miss @Steat even though he's the target of my childish sarcasm quite often. I will very much miss @KevinHeel yelling at me for being a jerk (and of course the photos). My wife can question my sanity because I have a group text with @Ned Cota @tar_heelac and @RobJones__ (sorry boys, exposing it since this site will probably all be erased from history by On3 in a few weeks anyway).
All this to say thank you @andrew jones. You built a place that allowed me to become a bigger fan of the team I love. Whenever work was frustrating or my kids decided to throw an hour long tantrum before bed, I could hop on this site to read about my Tar Heels and laugh at the banter back and forth from my favorite Tar Heel fans. I look forward to following your work when you decide your next move and in the mean time, enjoy the time with your wife and daughter...you and they certainly deserve it.
