Dear Rams Club Members, As we reflect on another year for Carolina Athletics, we are incredibly grateful for the people who make it all possible. Thank you for being a Rams Club member and for your unwavering commitment to Carolina student-athletes. Your generosity and belief in our mission empower them to pursue excellence and carry forward the proud tradition of Carolina Athletics. This past year, your support helped drive a historic milestone of more than 23,000 Rams Club members, marking the largest membership total in The Rams Club’s 88-year history. More importantly, this remarkable support strengthened the foundation of our broad-based athletics program and created opportunities for more than 750 student-athletes. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a meaningful role in shaping the next generation of leaders. Thanks to your support, our student-athletes achieved extraordinary success this year. Twenty-five of our 28 varsity programs earned NCAA postseason berths, Carolina finished fourth in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, and 157 student-athletes graduated with Carolina degrees. These accomplishments reflect the talent, determination, and character of our student-athletes and the incredible community that stands behind them. What makes Carolina truly special is the connection that spans generations. At every competition, we see alumni, former studentathletes, longtime supporters, and first-time fans united by a shared pride in the University and a belief in the power of athletics to educate, inspire, and bring people together. Thank you for being an essential part of that tradition. Your investment is creating life-changing opportunities for Carolina student-athletes today while helping ensure the future of Carolina Athletics remains strong for generations to come. Go Heels! Steve Newmark Director of Athletics
Seth Reeves Executive Director, The Rams Club
TEAM IMPACT Every gift to The Rams Club helps provide Carolina student-athletes with the resources they need to learn, grow, compete, and succeed at the highest collegiate level. This snapshot shows how your support made an impact across each program this year, strengthening the student-athlete experience. Your generosity is building champions!
BASEBALL
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
FOOTBALL
MEN’S SOCCER
MEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S TENNIS
SOFTBALL
WOMEN’S TENNIS
FENCING
TRACK & FIELD
FIELD HOCKEY
CROSS COUNTRY
MEN’S GOLF
ROWING
WOMEN’S GOLF
VOLLEYBALL
International travel opportunities
Leadership coaching services
GYMNASTICS
WRESTLING
West coast travel
Facility and equipment upgrades
MEN’S LACROSSE
SWIM & DIVE
Team travel support Facility enhancements Leadership development support Catapult wearable performance technology Increased sports medicine care International recruiting Career development Culture building opportunities
Team travel support
Alumni engagement events Alumni career fair West coast travel
Tennis analytics system Catapult wearable performance technology Leadership speaker series Team retreat
New boat and oars
New equipment and tech suits
ACADEMICS BY THE NUMBERS $22,710,832
PROVIDED FOR SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
MORE THAN 20 COMPLETE CAROLINA GRADUATES
3.30
FALL 2025 GPA
3.28
SPRING 2026 GPA
616
TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Complete Carolina is a program that helps former Tar Heel student-athletes return to the University to complete their degrees after leaving in good standing — often to pursue professional athletic careers. The program provides financial support based on the athletics aid each student-athlete received during their original enrollment, covering eligible education expenses such as tuition, fees, room, board, and books.
94%
GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE (GSR)
ACADEMIC HONORS
GRADUATES
MEMBERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS OVER 23,000 MEMBERS ALL 100
79%
NC COUNTIES REPRESENTED
OF MEMBERS LIVE IN NC
states with the highest rams club membership outside of north carolina:
21%
OF MEMBERS LIVE OUT OF STATE
61%
OF MEMBERS ARE UNC ALUMNI
1
VIRGINIA
2
SOUTH CAROLINA
40%
almost
MEMBERS HAVE OVER 25 YEARS OF GIVING
600 10,000
MEMBERS HAVE OVER 50 YEARS OF GIVING
over
MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GIVING FOR LESS THAN TEN YEARS
GEORGIA
for men’s and women’s basketball, football, and baseball
OF MEMBERS ARE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
YEARS OF GIVING
3
4
FLORIDA
5
NEW YORK
4,500+ STUDENT RAMS CLUB MEMBERS
REFLECTIONS FROM ALIX DE SAINT-AIGNAN ‘26 ROWING Life after Carolina: 2026 Gates Cambridge Scholar-Elect Pursuing Master of Philosophy in Global Risk & Resilience, Cambridge University, England Being a Carolina student-athlete is something that cannot fully be described. It is early mornings on the water, challenging days in the classroom, friendships that last a lifetime, and learning to believe in yourself. I came to Carolina as part of the recruiting class that welcomed a new head coach to a program that had spent decades at the bottom of the ACC. Four years later, we were nationally ranked in the top 25 and chasing our first NCAA appearance in more than two decades. We built something special, and we are not done. That transformation was possible because people like you believe in us. Across Carolina, Rams Club donors make it possible for student-athletes to fully embrace every opportunity – to compete, to grow as leaders, and to be part of something bigger than themselves. Thank you for believing in us before we believe in ourselves and for investing in opportunities that extend far beyond wins and championships. You are helping shape the next generation of leaders who will carry the Carolina legacy forward.
GWENDOLYN FINK ‘26 GYMNASTICS Life after Carolina: J.D. Candidate, Rutgers Law School One of the things Carolina taught me was that investing in people creates opportunities that extend far beyond their time at Carolina. When you believe in someone’s potential, you don’t just change their life; you help shape the impact they will have on others. Because of Rams Club members, I had the opportunity to compete as a student-athlete while earning a Carolina education that challenged me academically, professionally, and personally. The combination of world-class academics and the experiences I gained through athletics prepared me for opportunities I never could have imagined, including the privilege of continuing my education in law school. Along the way, I found lifelong friendships, learned resilience through both success and adversity, and discovered the confidence to pursue challenges I once thought were beyond my reach. I hope to carry that same spirit of service forward by using my education to advocate for others. In many ways, that opportunity exists because someone chose to invest in me first. Thank you for believing in Carolina student-athletes. Your generosity does so much more than support our time at Carolina – it empowers us to leave Chapel Hill prepared to make a difference in the lives of others. That is a legacy that reaches far beyond any one season, and one for which I will always be grateful.
CAROLINA STUDENT-ATHLETES CARTER FRENCH ‘26 BASEBALL Life after Carolina: Medical school Playing baseball at Carolina was an experience that is difficult to put into words. I am proud to have practiced, played, laughed, cried, and developed lasting relationships with the people who were alongside me at this University. I entered this school as a walk-on, I hardly knew anyone, and I was unsure of the future. This team quickly took me in, and I was able to be a small part of a program with such an outstanding culture. We went on to win ACC titles, super regionals, and we just came up one game short of a national championship. As an athlete at UNC, it is extremely hard not to strive for greatness with so many historic teams across all sports to look back on. As of late, Carolina has continued its excellence, and it has continued because of you. The Rams Club makes it possible for us athletes to have the greatest experience on and off the field. I speak for so many in saying that I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today without your generosity. Thank you for making me a Tar Heel for life.
TREVOR PASCHALL ‘26 TRACK & FIELD Life after Carolina: First-year optometry student at Southern College of Optometry My time as a Carolina student-athlete was the best four years of my life. Being a member of an ACC Championship winning team and the opportunity to pursue Track & Field at the highest level with the support of an amazing athletic department and Rams Club has meant the world to me. Our team’s motto is “Together We Win,” and that includes the Rams Club and donors that work behind the scenes to make our Carolina experience possible. There are no words to describe how grateful we are and how much of an impact this opportunity has had on my life. The places I’ve been and people I’ve met have played a massive role in shaping the person I want to be. What’s more is that Rams Club members do not just watch from afar; they support us at competitions and make an effort to interact and get to know us personally. I know that the foundations built during my time at UNC, both on the track and in the classroom, will set me apart from my classmates as I move into the next phase of my life studying to become a Doctor of Optometry. Carolina will always be home, and I want to sincerely thank you for making every day a Great Day to be a Tar Heel!!!
EXCELLENCE IN COMPETITION 4TH
LEARFIELD DIRECTORS’ CUP FINISH
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL
REGULAR SEASON
MAKAYLA PAIGE
FIELD HOCKEY AND WOMEN’S LACROSSE
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD, 800M
COLTON SANDS
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD, 5K
TOURNAMENT FIELD HOCKEY AND WOMEN’S LACROSSE
YOUSSEF SHAMEL FENCING, EPEE
PETER BURK FENCING, FOIL
BRYCE HEPNER
WRESTLING, 165LBS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL
APPEARANCES
YOUSSEF SHAMEL
BASEBALL
FENCING, EPEE
REESE BRANTMEIER
WOMEN’S TENNIS, SINGLES
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
UNDEFEATED HOME SEASONS MEN’S BASKETBALL
UNDEFEATED AT HOME, 18-0, MOST GAMES EVER IN A SEASON WITHOUT A LOSS AT HOME
FIELD HOCKEY 9-0 AT HOME
DRAFTEES CALEB WILSON
4TH IN THE 2025 NBA DRAFT BY THE CHICAGO BULLS
INDYA NIVAR
FIRST WNBA DRAFTEE SINCE 2021, 29TH OVERALL BY THE ATLANTA DREAM
JAKE SCHAFFNER
BOSTON RED SOX (20TH OVERALL)
OWEN HULL
BOSTON RED SOX (67TH OVERALL)
JASON DECARO
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (80TH OVERALL)
RYAN LYNCH
SAN DIEGO PADRES (97TH OVERALL)
23
ALL-AMERICA HONORS
INCREASING CAROLINA’S ALL-TIME TOTAL OF FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS TO 1,438
25 TEAMS
HAD POSTSEASON APPEARANCES
MACON WINSLOW
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (190TH OVERALL)
MATTHEW MATTHIJS
SEATTLE MARINERS (520TH OVERALL)
EXCELLENCE ACROSS COMMUNITIES FOREVHER TAR HEELS
FORevHER Tar Heels continued to empower Carolina’s women student-athletes through leadership development, mentorship, and meaningful connections. Throughout the year, studentathlete representatives helped shape programming while Elevating the Game events, the first-ever FORevHER Tar Heels symposium, etiquette dinners, and networking opportunities equipped participants with valuable personal and professional skills. Together, these initiatives fostered confidence, built community, and prepared student-athletes for success beyond their playing careers.
MENTAL HEALTH & PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY
Supporting the whole student-athlete remained a priority through Carolina’s Mental Health & Performance Psychology program. The department’s 2025 Student-Athlete Mental Health Expo connected over 400 participating student-athletes with campus resources, affinity groups, and wellness organizations, while promoting a proactive approach to mental well-being and fostering a culture of support across Carolina Athletics.
WILKINS TAR HEEL GLOBAL AMBASSADORS
The Wilkins Family Scholar Enrichment Fund helps make transformative international experiences possible through the Tar Heel Global Ambassadors program. At the Spring 2026 Scholarship Dinner, Anna Kate Gwiazdowski (Rowing), Jaylen Marsh (Track & Field), Mia Smotritsky (Fencing), and Sydney Tuck (Rowing) reflected on their experiences abroad in Portugal, London, and Bosnia, and The Hague, highlighting the lasting impact of global learning on their personal and leadership development.
COMMUNITY SERVICE Making a difference beyond competition remained a priority throughout the year as Tar Heel student-athletes logged more than 1,000 hours dedicating their time and talents to serving others. Through partnerships with local schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and community organizations, they inspired young people, supported families, and strengthened connections throughout the Chapel Hill community. These efforts exemplify the values that define Carolina Athletics: leadership, service, and community.
MONTROSS DAY OF SERVICE
Carolina Athletics came together for the second annual Montross Day of Service in September 2025, honoring the legacy of Eric Montross through a day dedicated to serving the Chapel Hill community. Student-athletes from Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, and Women’s Golf volunteered with local organizations, including UNC Children’s Hospital, GiGi’s Playhouse, the SECU Family House, The Magic Yarn Project, Me Fine Foundation, and Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary. The day celebrated Montross’ enduring example of compassion, kindness, and service while reinforcing Carolina’s commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond competition.
NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
The annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic, held in February 2026, welcomed young Tar Heel fans to campus for a morning of fun, learning, and inspiration alongside Carolina student-athletes. Participants had the opportunity to engage with student-athletes from all UNC women’s sports teams through interactive activities while celebrating the importance of girls and women in athletics. The free event encouraged active lifestyles, fostered meaningful connections between student-athletes and the local community, and inspired the next generation of Tar Heels.
THE REESE BRANTMEIER PROJECT
Women’s Tennis student-athlete Reese Brantmeier led the Reese Brantmeier Project, raising nearly $180,000 to restore the public tennis courts in her hometown of Whitewater, Wisconsin. The initiative expanded access to the sport for future generations while demonstrating the lasting impact Carolina student-athletes can make in their communities.
FOOTBALL GIVES BACK
Carolina Football student-athletes made a meaningful impact beyond the field through service across the Chapel Hill community. Throughout the year, the team visited patients at UNC Children’s Hospital and the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center, bringing encouragement and smiles to young patients and their families. Student-athletes also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to help build affordable housing and spent time mentoring local youth through visits to the Hargraves Community Center, demonstrating the program’s commitment to leadership, service, and giving back.
THANK YOU! Because of you, Carolina student-athletes have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, earn a world-class education, and chase their dreams! Thank you for investing in the next generation of Tar Heels. SCAN HERE FOR THE RAMS CLUB STAFF AND BOARD DIRECTORY
RAMSCLUB.COM P.O. BOX 2446 • CHAPEL HILL, NC 27515 919.843.2000 • RAMSCLUB@RAMSCLUB.COM @THERAMSCLUB