Update on my next step & THI

[andrew jones]

I wanted to give everyone an update on where things stand with THI and with my next move.

I can only say so much at this time because details still must be worked out and I still have another opportunity I have not yet turned away. But it appears I will remain in the UNC market and have a strong presence in covering the Tar Heels.

I hope to announce something by mid-to-late July but am not certain when just yet. Please follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, and our YouTube channel to get all updates.

As for Tar Heel Illustrated, it ends under my watch on June 30. So we have just more than two weeks remaining. I have no idea what is next for the site, I know nothing about how the merger with On3 will play out. I know literally nothing other than our last content item will be posted on the 29th or possibly the 30th. I don’t anticipate any current staff having any access to the message boards, so we will be gone at that point.

However, Jacob and I will continue recording podcasts for the YouTube channel and I will generate some content and post notes, etc, on Twitter/X and Facebook. And when the time comes, I will announce what’s next, and I can assure you the current IG, Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube pages/sites will remain and switch over to the new situation once everything is announced.

Please follow us on all of those social media spots and you will know where we are:

Please follow us on Twitter/X at https://x.com/HeelIllustrated

Please follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TarHeelIllustrated/

Please follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TarHeelIllustrated

Please follow us on IG at @tar_heel_illustrated

 

[Kool1234567]

Good luck in your next chapter of Life…Myself included have had to pivot a few times and it always has worked out…


If you are covering UNC….I will be there…You and the THI staff have always done a great job….

 

[Oak ridger]

Good luck in your next chapter of Life…Myself included have had to pivot a few times and it always has worked out…


If you are covering UNC….I will be there…You and the THI staff have always done a great job….

I agree, thank you for all that you have done for UNC and its fans.

 

[KeeLo]

our last content item will be posted on the 29th or possibly the 30th. I don’t anticipate any current staff having any access to the message boards, so we will be gone at that point.

Unless there is a contractual reason (understandably so), would they allow you to create/use a personal account to post stuff? Not like premium-level intel, but your personal opinions on basketball strategy, observations, etc?

 

[andrew jones]

Unless there is a contractual reason (understandably so), would they allow you to create/use a personal account to post stuff? Not like premium-level intel, but your personal opinions on basketball strategy, observations, etc?

No, this site will merge into something different and I will embark on a new situation as well. The limbo period won't be for more than a month as well.

 

[UncTwinz]

I find it really disrespectful that On3 is just running you off after all the time you spent covering UNC. I'm not a fan of the guy who runs On3 basketball recruiting. I won't be supporting whatever they turn this site into.

 

[andrew jones]

I find it really disrespectful that On3 is just running you off after all the time you spent covering UNC. I'm not a fan of the guy who runs On3 basketball recruiting. I won't be supporting whatever they turn this site into.

In fairness, I decided to step away three days before learning about the merger, but had I not made that decision they would have gone in a different direction anyway. Thank you for the kind words. Your support and loyalty means more than I can articulat. Looking forward to settling on my next move and announcing it.

 

[KeeLo]

...when the time comes, I will announce what’s next, and I can assure you the current IG, Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube pages/sites will remain and switch over to the new situation once everything is announced.

So even though the social media sites reference the THI name, have those pages been personally established and maintained outside of (but not against) rivals/yahoo oversight, and as such you get to keep ownership of those accounts (and change according to your will)? Or will y'all lose access to those in July?

 

[andrew jones]

So even though the social media sites reference the THI name, have those pages been personally established and maintained outside of (but not against) rivals/yahoo oversight, and as such you get to keep ownership of those accounts (and change according to your will)? Or will y'all lose access to those in July?

Yes, I own all of our social media pages. We will have to change their names and logos in a couple of weeks, but that might be temporary. I expect things to move quickly in July.

 

[berens007]

Andrew I am not an On3/THI insider, but read and see enough on here to know it is very apparent how much work and dedication you and the team have put into this site - thank you so much. All the best to you in your next step - glad to hear the Heels may still benefit from your voice in coverage, and hoping the new opportunity provides you joy as well as bandwidth to spend with friends/family and to sleep and rest.

 

[superstar57]

See you on youtube. Love the art of writing and reading print, but It's probably my last two weeks of actually making a post.

I remember I started posting the year Roy came. Rivals has been my information of UNC basketball news for a long time.

I like seeing Andrew on YouTube, but nothing will ever beat the back and forth banter of the message board.

Question Andrew, do you see yourself contributing to Pinson's podcast? They are good, but need more factual information, and your inside knowledge of UNC basketball could be backed up with stories from the actual players. Just a thought.

 

[DSouthr]

I would caution On3 to understand that the people here on ALL of these boards at THU did not come here because of Rivals, they come here because of the leadership YOU provide, the fine staff that bring us both opinion and information and of course to the fellow posters here that have made this place enjoyable. Personally, I have never had any loyalty to Rivals what so ever nor do I expect to hold any for On3, it will be about the people involved and what level of listening to we UNC fans they embrace.

The ONLY reason to buy Rivals has to be to gain access to their base of their loyal fans. That loyalty is earned by people, not companies. At this point On3 feels like they are taking away something that loyal UNC fans have embraced here because of the people that are here and when those people go away it will be harder than that may realize to keep us from leaving as well.

And AJ, the only move you could make that I and I suspect many like me would not really embrace would be for you to move to IC. Most of us here have tried IC, I for one did not like it, if I have no other option then maybe.

 

[andrew jones]

See you on youtube. Love the art of writing and reading print, but It's probably my last two weeks of actually making a post.

I remember I started posting the year Roy came. Rivals has been my information of UNC basketball news for a long time.

I like seeing Andrew on YouTube, but nothing will ever beat the back and forth banter of the message board.

Question Andrew, do you see yourself contributing to Pinson's podcast? They are good, but need more factual information, and your inside knowledge of UNC basketball could be backed up with stories from the actual players. Just a thought.

I appreciate the kind words. I have not talked with Theo since UNC was at the Mohegan Sun a few years ago. I like how he does it, but would certainly enjoy talling some stories.

BTW, Jacob and I have a pod comign Friday where I tell a lot of basketball stories from my 11 years at THI.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

AJ: The best praise I can give is that I totally respect every word of yours that I have read. Even when I did not agree and, in my extreme fandom felt you were unfairly criticizing my team or coaches, I still could see the logic behind your reasoning! Your even-handed, fact based, objective coverage of my beloved Heels has been a breath of fresh air in an industry that has become derivative, lazy, and more focused on clicks than providing information! These days I can anticipate what every talking head on TV, online, or print will say once I hear the first one speak. You and your staff certainly appear to retain that journalistic pride and work ethic that used to be the standard. Like D said, I cannot stomach TOS since it is an idiotic cesspool of negativity with absolutely no checks on their vitriol! I do read their reporting, but their boards are completely useless! Barring moving to the TOS, I will eventually find you and participate in any forum which allows me. I pray that good fortune, happy family life, and a chance to do what you clearly love is granted to you and yours by the only supreme authority!

Good Luck My Friend and I apologize for SOME of my rants!

 

[andrew jones]

AJ: The best praise I can give is that I totally respect every word of yours that I have read. Even when I did not agree and, in my extreme fandom felt you were unfairly criticizing my team or coaches, I still could see the logic behind your reasoning! Your even-handed, fact based, objective coverage of my beloved Heels has been a breath of fresh air in an industry that has become derivative, lazy, and more focused on clicks than providing information! These days I can anticipate what every talking head on TV, online, or print will say once I hear the first one speak. You and your staff certainly appear to retain that journalistic pride and work ethic that used to be the standard. Like D said, I cannot stomach TOS since it is an idiotic cesspool of negativity with absolutely no checks on their vitriol! I do read their reporting, but their boards are completely useless! Barring moving to the TOS, I will eventually find you and participate in any forum which allows me. I pray that good fortune, happy family life, and a chance to do what you clearly love is granted to you and yours by the only supreme authority!

Good Luck My Friend and I apologize for SOME of my rants!

I cannot put into words bhow much what you said means to me. You tapped into our mission here and the credo we live by every day. And as this industry (and all media lanes) continue changing for the worse, it's even more important for us to do things the right way even if fans don't care for what we have to say and write. I truly believe that all evens out over time, which you articulated.

Thank you again.

 

[Steat]

I can tell you that my company will cover AJ wherever he ends up as you see an example in the attached newsletter. We send our newsletter weekly and will change the name and links for AJ when the changeover occurs. We will start covering AJ's You Tube Channel starting next week.

We are looking at a way to do the the Prediction Contest for the loyal 60-75 posters that have participated in the contest for years. Please subscribe to my Campus NIL newsletter (CampusNIL.com) at the top of the website and use the REFFERAL code 750 to stay up-to-date. Or send me an email at info@campusnil.com. This will allow me to separate loyal UNC pool players that have played the contest for years. https://www.campusnil.com

"Be the talk of the campus! Promote your restaurant to students!"

Limited spots! Grab your $100 ad to reach hungry college students NOW.

www.campusnil.com

Steat

 

[andrew jones]

I cannot put into words bhow much what you said means to me. You tapped into our mission here and the credo we live by every day. And as this industry (and all media lanes) continue changing for the worse, it's even more important for us to do things the right way even if fans don't care for what we have to say and write. I truly believe that all evens out over time, which you articulated.

Thank you again.

I can tell you that my company will cover AJ wherever he ends up as you see an example in the attached newsletter. We send our newsletter weekly and will change the name and links for AJ when the changeover occurs. We will start covering AJ's You Tube Channel starting next week.

We are looking at a way to do the the Prediction Contest for the loyal 60-75 posters that have participated in the contest for years. Please subscribe to my Campus NIL newsletter (CampusNIL.com) at the top of the website and use the REFFERAL code 750 to stay up-to-date. Or send me an email at info@campusnil.com. This will allow me to separate loyal UNC pool players that have played the contest for years. https://www.campusnil.com

"Be the talk of the campus! Promote your restaurant to students!"

Limited spots! Grab your $100 ad to reach hungry college students NOW.

www.campusnil.com

Steat

Thank you, Steat, that means a lot.

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

Andrew, my wife and l were recently in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, checking out the night
sky during a Park Ranger event and thought of you and your daughter.
It was beyond spectacular in all respects. Maybe if you attend the hoops exhibition
vs. the Utes next October in Salt Lake City, you can take Ellie with you. 😏
Peace and love in your endeavors, sir.

 

[Steat]

Thank you, Steat, that means a lot.

More coming....

 

[andrew jones]

Andrew, my wife and l were recently in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, checking out the night
sky during a Park Ranger event and thought of you and your daughter.
It was beyond spectacular in all respects. Maybe if you attend the hoops exhibition
vs. the Utes next October in Salt Lake City, you can take Ellie with you. 😏
Peace and love in your endeavors, sir.

Wow, that sounds like such an amazing experience. And what a great idea and kind gesture. Thank you.

 

[alabamaheel]

@andrew jones total question of ignorance buddy. This is really the only place I like to come to talk UNC basketball. I live dead smack in the middle of the SEC and need my fix lol. So, where do I need to turn to? Is that coming up in a post or info that’s needed?

 

[NorCalTarheel]

@andrew jones total question of ignorance buddy. This is really the only place I like to come to talk UNC basketball. I live dead smack in the middle of the SEC and need my fix lol. So, where do I need to turn to? Is that coming up in a post or info that’s needed?

Same question. I don't enjoy the other site as much as the motley band here. Hoping there is somewhere where the majority of us can go and continue arguing, spouting off unfounded definitive statements and claiming we all have insight that we actually don't 😆

Thank you AJ for providing a place for all of us to go talk, learn, and share our love of the tar heels. You should be incredibly proud of your work. Best of luck and look forward to reconnecting wherever you land.

 

[andrew jones]

We will announce what is next on our other platforms. If I am able to before this one transitions, I will do it here.

And thank you for your loyalty. It means a great deal to us.

 

[al would]

I can tell you that my company will cover AJ wherever he ends up as you see an example in the attached newsletter. We send our newsletter weekly and will change the name and links for AJ when the changeover occurs. We will start covering AJ's You Tube Channel starting next week.

We are looking at a way to do the the Prediction Contest for the loyal 60-75 posters that have participated in the contest for years. Please subscribe to my Campus NIL newsletter (CampusNIL.com) at the top of the website and use the REFFERAL code 750 to stay up-to-date. Or send me an email at info@campusnil.com. This will allow me to separate loyal UNC pool players that have played the contest for years. https://www.campusnil.com

"Be the talk of the campus! Promote your restaurant to students!"

Limited spots! Grab your $100 ad to reach hungry college students NOW.

www.campusnil.com

Steat

Hope the prediction contest is run better next year than last. I still don't know the final standings or prize awards if any were actually given.

 

[Steat]

Hope the prediction contest is run better next year than last. I still don't know the final standings or prize awards if any were actually given.

Winners were posted on the board after each contest ended.

Getting the standings updated quickly after each game sucked. Big problem.

If I have the contest this year, I will have college interns handle the scoring. Just too overwhelming for me.

Appreciate your comments!

 

[gobblercalls]

Winners were posted on the board after each contest ended.

Getting the standings updated quickly after each game sucked. Big problem.

If I have the contest this year, I will have college interns handle the scoring. Just too overwhelming for me.

Appreciate your comments!

Steat, Were prizes rewarded. I never saw anything so assumed everything ended with AJ's announcement.

 

[DSouthr]

So, as of today, we have 8 days until this "change over" happens. Seems strange that no On3 rep has come here and shared a single thing as to what we should expect to see come 7/1. If Rivals, if the fans of this site mean anything to you guys at On3, why is there not someone coming here and saying a single word as to what to expect come 7/1? I believe AJ has told all he knows about what will happen but you are not going to fully read in AJ or his staff and have him inform us, you don't put that kind of responsibility on someone that you are going to terminate in 8 days from now.

It strike me as very strange "customer service" that we see no On3 rep posting here giving us any insight as to what the plans may be for this site moving forward after 7/1? It hits more that On3 does not seem to care what the customers that they just bought want or feel? Does On3 not care at all for their customers or do they have a business model that does not need customers? If so then why buy Rivals to begin with?

 

[NorCalTarheel]

So, as of today, we have 8 days until this "change over" happens. Seems strange that no On3 rep has come here and shared a single thing as to what we should expect to see come 7/1. If Rivals, if the fans of this site mean anything to you guys at On3, why is there not someone coming here and saying a single word as to what to expect come 7/1? I believe AJ has told all he knows about what will happen but you are not going to fully read in AJ or his staff and have him inform us, you don't put that kind of responsibility on someone that you are going to terminate in 8 days from now.

It strike me as very strange "customer service" that we see no On3 rep posting here giving us any insight as to what the plans may be for this site moving forward after 7/1? It hits more that On3 does not seem to care what the customers that they just bought want or feel? Does On3 not care at all for their customers or do they have a business model that does not need customers? If so then why buy Rivals to begin with?

The only "customers" on this site are the premium board members. We lowly dregs on the free site contribute nothing the bottom line.

We can wait and hope that AJ has a medium for all of us to reconvene or try to assimilate to TOS. I have been wildly unimpressed with On3 and don't expect much from them moving forward.

On a side note, and it's just my two cents... to come on here and criticize a free contest which provides lots of fun for lots of people seems in very bad form. Steat, I appreciate you running this and supplying the prizes and doing all of the work for nothing. The scoring was slow this past season and so I opted to stop playing but that was my choice and it doesn't take away from the fact that you invested a ton of time and effort. I appreciate you for it.

 

[al would]

Winners were posted on the board after each contest ended.

Getting the standings updated quickly after each game sucked. Big problem.

If I have the contest this year, I will have college interns handle the scoring. Just too overwhelming for me.

Appreciate your comments!

Do you have a link to the final standings because I never saw it and was in second place going in to the final game. I even sent you an email after the final game asking about the final standings and you said you were working on it an I never saw anything else. I know I didn't win it but I doubt I finished much below third.

 

[Steat]

Do you have a link to the final standings because I never saw it and was in second place going in to the final game. I even sent you an email after the final game asking about the final standings and you said you were working on it an I never saw anything else. I know I didn't win it but I doubt I finished much below third.

Some of my threads are missing, but 39Feet Above Sea Level won Contest Contest #4 and the Portal Contest. Contest # 1# 2 winners below. Contest #3 was preseason contest,

MY MESSAGE TO THE BOARD: Congratulations to 39 Feet Above Sea Level for winning the Prediction Contest. In all my years running these contests, this is the first time a participant has secured back-to-back victories-an impressive achievement. Using the Verbal Commits transfer tracker, the final total was 2,544. https://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers

As the winner, 39 Feet Above Sea Level will receive $250 in cash credits, redeemable for products from Campus NIL’s advertisers once our program launches. If you are interested in joining future Prediction Contests, please subscribe to our free newsletter at campusnil.com. We only require your email address, and subscribers will be the first to know when new contests begin.

Portal Contest

Portal Contest Winner Announced!

Congratulations to 39 Feet Above Sea Level for winning the Prediction Contest. In all my years running these contests, this is the first time a participant has secured back-to-back victories-an impressive achievement. Using the Verbal Commits transfer tracker, the final total was 2,544...

northcarolina.forums.rivals.com

Contest #1 and Contest #2 Winners

Prediction Contest Winners - Unofficial Results - Contest #1 and Contest #2

Contest # 2 Check your results! Grand Prize (Contest #4) Post Season Contest Top 15 players in Contest #1 and # 2 ACC and NCAA Tournaments games through title game (contest continues even if UNC eliminated) Prizes: Large Flat Screen TV, Laptop or Tablet (winner option) Top 15 outlined in red...

northcarolina.forums.rivals.com

Still not exact clarity, but I notified all winners to send me an email and claim their prizes. 39 received a tablet and he gets $250 in cash credits with my company when we launch this fall. I advised all winners to contact me if they placed, but it was not my responsibility to follow-up. Hope this helps! Karl

 

[gobblercalls]

Prediction Contest Winners - Unofficial Results - Contest #1 and Contest #2

Contest # 2 Check your results! Grand Prize (Contest #4) Post Season Contest Top 15 players in Contest #1 and # 2 ACC and NCAA Tournaments games through title game (contest continues even if UNC eliminated) Prizes: Large Flat Screen TV, Laptop or Tablet (winner option) Top 15 outlined in red...

northcarolina.forums.rivals.com

Contest #1 and Contest #2 Winners

Still not exact clarity, but I notified all winners to send me an email and claim their prizes. 39 received a tablet and he gets $250 in cash credits with my company when we launch this fall. I advised all winners to contact me if they placed, but it was not my responsibility to follow-up. Hope this helps! Karl

email address please?

 

[Steat]

email address please?

info@campusnil.com Please make sure you put " UNC Prediction Contest" as your subject line.

 

[gobblercalls]

info@campusnil.com Please make sure you put " UNC Prediction Contest" as your subject line.

Stea, I sent you another email

 

[keysersosay#1]

Thank you AJ for all you have done for true Tar Heel fans...I will truly miss this board and the great discussions about the great thing that is Carolina basketball.

 

[Oak ridger]

Sad time in 4 days, no more free time used reading comments about UNC athletics.

 

[andrew jones]

Thank you AJ for all you have done for true Tar Heel fans...I will truly miss this board and the great discussions about the great thing that is Carolina basketball.

Thank you.

 

[NathanFielder]

Should we make a discord for this board?

 

[KeeLo]

More clarification wanted if known...

• Are we going to be able to keep our usernames, credentials, post history, counts, etc? Or will they be transferrable to whatever On3 sets up? Many of us have had these things for 20+ years (I had the same weak 9-character, all-A-Z password for all that time until earlier this year, lol)
• Are these forums going to be shut down?
  • I mean, if so, maybe an airing of grievances thread is in order, to allow poaster-to-poaster frustrations to be broadcast, lol (maybe the OOTB political thread needs to stay there though, ha)
• If none of these things are known, why hasn't On3 communicated transition plans?

 

[andrew jones]

More clarification wanted if known...

• Are we going to be able to keep our usernames, credentials, post history, counts, etc? Or will they be transferrable to whatever On3 sets up? Many of us have had these things for 20+ years (I had the same weak 9-character, all-A-Z password for all that time until earlier this year, lol)
• Are these forums going to be shut down?
  • I mean, if so, maybe an airing of grievances thread is in order, to allow poaster-to-poaster frustrations to be broadcast, lol (maybe the OOTB political thread needs to stay there though, ha)
• If none of these things are known, why hasn't On3 communicated transition plans?

I don't know answers to any of those questions. I wish I did because it would be much better for you guys. But I don't. I will try to find out today.

 

[al would]

I'd like to know that as well. Seems On3 is blowing off the Rivals members. Transition communications have been non-existent.