“Welcome to Chapel Hill” should be the refrain of the day.

If you have ever been to a football game at Notre Dame, you are made comfortable long before kickoff. Miles away from the stadium, in parking lots and hotels and on buses, they know you are there and the “Welcome To Notre Dame” greetings begin.

Long before stepping onto the hallowed campus in South Bend, Indiana, the people show their pride in their city and school by trying to make you feel at home. The closer you get, the more you hear it, “Welcome to Notre Dame.”

It is the model for every campus, no matter the nature of the visit or the bigness of the moment. And for the 13 times Carolina has played football there in the fall, those of us lucky enough to make the trip truly feel welcomed to Notre Dame.

It may be the reason Notre Dame has always been an independent in football and likely will remain that way in the ever-changing landscape of conference realignment. Sure, the ACC could benefit greatly from having the Fighting Irish as a full-fledged member like they are in every other sport. But it would change things.

Imagine going to Durham for a basketball game, and the royal blue alumni and fans there saying, “Welcome to Duke!” instead of smirking or mumbling something under their breath. At State it can be even worse, borderline hostile before the actual contact begins.

That is what inbred rivalries do for each other. Notre Dame really travels and will bring thousands of green-clad Irish fans into Chapel Hill today and Saturday morning. If you see a single or a gaggle on Franklin Street or on campus heading for Kenan, smile and say, “Welcome to Carolina.”

Bubba Cunningham should be instructing all of his employees, from ticket scanners to ushers to concessionaires to do it. Mayor Hemminger should do the same with all town employees and encourage townsfolk to follow up. Merchants should put simple signs in their windows. Cars should honk twice to say hello.

Not that we don’t care about achieving what could be one of the greatest victories in UNC football history. Let’s just all make it a memorable day before, during and after the game. Welcome.

 

Featured image via UNC

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