UNC Athletics and the Rams Club have launched the Helping Heels Fund — a crowdfunding campaign that gives Tar Heel fans the opportunity to provide financial assistance to student-athletes who are facing hardships as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The number of people who have reached out, offering to help our student-athletes during this time of world crisis, has been both humbling and heartening – because we know so many of our fans are facing hardships themselves,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “Many of our Tar Heels and their families, like so many more across our state, nation and world, are facing challenges because of this terrible pandemic, and this fund is an opportunity to offer resources beyond what our department is currently able to provide.”

Donations made through the Helping Heels Fund will directly assist student-athletes and their families with expenses as allowed by NCAA regulations. Those expenses can include medical bills and other necessary expenses – such as groceries, toiletries, technology for online classes and remote learning and training and more

Earlier this year, NCAA spring sports were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic but student-athletes have been given an additional year of eligibility in compensation.

While UNC is preparing for students to return to campus in the fall, many plans are being considered. Cunningham told 97.9 The Hill that he cannot see fall sports continuing without students on campus.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Women's Basketball Dominates UNC-Wilmington in 50-Point Win
UNC bounced back from its overtime loss to Louisville last weekend in a big way Wednesday night, beating UNC-Wilmington 84-34 at Carmichael Arena. That's a Carolina 𝑾𝑰𝑵!@WellsFargo x #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/MBSQA4SVcl — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) December 18, 2025 Carolina’s defense limited the Seahawks all night, forcing UNC-Wilmington into more turnovers (22) than made shots (14) […]
Chansky's Notebook: Complete Game
UNC might have avoided another halftime tongue-lashing from Hubert Davis by holding ETSU scoreless over the last minute of the first half.
College Football's Transfer Portal Opens Jan. 2. Which Tar Heels Are Planning to Enter?
The college football transfer portal will open Friday, Jan. 2 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. It will be the only transfer portal window of the year for college football, as the NCAA moved to eliminate the spring transfer window earlier this year. Players do not have to have committed to and […]
2nd-Half Eruption Leads UNC Men's Basketball Past East Tennessee State
UNC outscored East Tennessee State 28-9 in the first 12:36 of the second half to break open a close game and cruised from there to a 77-58 win. HEELS WIN.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/P84NtzNT93 — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 17, 2025 The 28-9 run stretched to 33-9 when accounting for UNC scoring five straight points to […]
UNC Men's Basketball to Face Georgia in Home-and-Home Series Beginning in 2026
The UNC men’s basketball program has scheduled a home-and-home series with Georgia, which will be contested in 2026 and 2028. The Tar Heels will host the Bulldogs Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at the Smith Center before making the return trip to Athens in 2028. The second game’s date has not yet been determined, but will […]
Hubert Davis: Seth Trimble 'Progressing Nicely,' Practicing with UNC
UNC head coach Hubert Davis gave an update on injured star Seth Trimble during Davis’ weekly radio show Monday night. “He’s progressing nicely,” Davis told the Tar Heel Sports Network’s Jones Angell. “The last couple days, he’s been [playing] five-on-five and been practicing with us. So he’s progressing, and I like the way that he […]
Chansky's Notebook: Coaching Cuts
Bill Belichick has fired two of his assistant coaches, but it's unclear where UNC will go for its upcoming hires.
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men Rise to No. 12, Women Drop to No. 18
Both UNC basketball teams moved in the latest AP Polls, which were released Monday. The men’s team rose two spots from No. 14 to No. 12 (its highest of the season), while the women’s team dropped six spots from No. 12 to No. 18 (its lowest of the season). The men’s team played only once […]
Chansky's Notebook: And the Good News
UNC head coach Hubert Davis was out of character after his team’s ninth win of the season, 80-62 over USC Upstate.
UNC Women's Basketball Falters Late in Overtime Loss to No. 22 Louisville
No. 22 Louisville used a 13-0 run across the fourth quarter and overtime to rally from a late deficit and beat UNC 76-66 in Carmichael Arena Sunday evening. “We didn’t play very well, unfortunately,” head coach Courtney Banghart said afterward. “Didn’t love our shots. I think everybody played with their desire. They wanted it so […]
›