Photo courtesy of Greg Yvars

TEAM TEMPO Update

February 20, 2009

 Calendar

 AWAY – Thursday, February 19^th:  Boston College

It’s all in the Family! The Heels travel to Beantown for another important ACC game against former UNC standout, Sylvia Crawley, and her Eagles of Boston College. Coach Crawley continues the tradition of this excellent university that blends the best of athletics and academics as she has implemented an up-tempo style in her first year. This designated “Pink Zone” game tips off at 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed through ACC Select (www.theacc.com/accselect/index.html). The Tar Heels need to keep the momentum established from the big win over Georgia Tech.  

AWAY - Monday, February 23^rd:  NC State

It’s time to clinch state braggin’ rights! With the wins over Duke, WFU, and a previous win over NCSU in Chapel Hill, the Heels can gain an edge on being the unofficial best women’s basketball team in NC this year. The Pack had a tremendous comeback victory over UVA so they have proven their ability to compete in the conference.  Coach Glance remains confident of her system and players to continue the upsets as we approach ACC tournament time. Don’t count on the Heels to be a willing victim though. Two straight road games will give the team an opportunity to “practice” NCAA tournament-like conditions.

 If you can’t make the trip to Raleigh, you have three choices to follow our women as they play:

1.      Join Team Tempo members at 6:30 pm at Time Out Sports Bar in the Chapel Hill Holiday Inn (near Eastgate) to view the game on TV, or

2.      Watch the game on channel RSN, or

3.      Tune to WCHL-1360 AM to listen to Brad Heller and Jan Boxill.

 Coach Hatchell Radio Show

We are winding down on our Monday/Tuesday night happenings at Tyler’s. Coach Hatchell is an incredible friend to TT as she chats with members and gives us a shout out on the radio show. Please join us at Tyler’s in Carrboro (919.929.6881) this Tuesday night.  

Host Brad Heller (Learfield Sports and “Our Voice of the Tar Heels”) will chat with the Hall-of-Fame Coach on WCHL-1360 AM. TT members come early at 7:00 p.m. to eat and fellowship! The show begins at 8:00 p.m.  

Can’t make the trip to Tyler’s? Through the efforts of TT, the radio show (starting with the February 2^nd show) is NOW available on the women’s basketball official website. Yes! Go TEAM TEMPO! 

Coach Hatchell Television Show

Did you know that Coach Hatchell has a television show airing each Saturday? Check your local listings to tune in at 1:00 p.m. for Inside Carolina Women’s Basketball. Previous shows can also be viewed on the Tar Heel website. Hosted by Brad Heller, the format offers insightful interviews with players and chalk talk from Coach that provides you with another perspective of running a top D1 WBB program. Get your morning chores and errands completed and relax with Coach each weekend!  

Car Pool to the ACC Tournament – March 6^th – 8th

There was minimal interest in the bus caravan to the ACC Women’s Tournament, thus TT will attempt to match all interested members who need a ride with fans who plan on driving over to Greensboro. Our goal is to connect you with like-minded folks with southern hospitality.  

Send us an email if you either need a ride or are willing to share a ride with a fellow Team Tempo member.  Note: The UNC ticket allotment has sold out! The Tar Heel nation loves UNC WBB!  

TEMPO TALK 

Former UNC Coach Alley Honored

Each year during the tournament the ACC recognizes former players and coaches who have made a difference in the development of the conference’s WBB program. This year UNC selected Jennifer Alley as its representative to the 2009 Class of Legends. Coach Alley served as the university for nine years and helped the Tar Heels capture the 1984 ACC crown. Under Alley, UNC made four NCAA Tournament appearances. I was blessed to serve on her staff as an assistant and truly appreciate her friendship, warm spirit and leadership during a time when women’s sports were not respected throughout the country as it is today. The honorees will be recognized during the ACC Legends Luncheon on Friday, March 6, as well as on the court at halftime of the first semifinal game on Saturday, March 7. Let’s give a major shout out to Coach Alley at her recognition. Go Heels! 

Player Blog

Iman reflects on the changes in the style of play of ACC WBB this week. Noting how other teams have emulated Coach Hatchell’s style has lead to an overall quicker pace of play. The “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” philosophy has helped many teams become better competitors. Check out her latest post-GT blog and look for her comments after every game on the TT website.  Did you know that Iman plays the French horn, flute, and guitar? And her mother, Leslie, played basketball at Howard University? Our 4^th year post-player believes that it is best to “learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” You can now respond back to Iman through a new link too! Send your response to playerblog@meridians.us today! 

ACC Tournament Sweepstakes

We hope that you have heard the new ACC theme song by now – She Can Play!  The ACC announced a sweepstakes to go along with the theme song. Click – enter (once a day for as many days as you can!) – you can win VIP tickets to the ACC Women’s Basketball Championship game, lodging for four, $500 cash for your tournament expenses, a back stage visit with Damien Horne as he and his group prepare for their halftime concert, and one of Damien’s guitars!  Let’s have a TT member be the grand prize winner! 

Away Games Viewing Parties

Time Out Sports Bar on 15-501, next to the Holiday Inn (near Eastgate in Chapel Hill), welcomes TT members to watch the Tar Heels in a fun and festive atmosphere. Owner Eddie Williams, a longtime UNC WBB supporter, encourages everyone to come out 30 minutes before tip-off to secure a table, order great munchies, and to meet and greet your friends. The restaurant has over 17 HDTV’s and the best ribs and wings in town.  

Team Tempo member Joan Donaher has been gathering with other UNC fans over the years at this location and has made it a special event! If you aren’t headed to Cameron or Reynolds, join TT at Time Out Sports Bar!  

I smell a Birthday!

Visit Greetings on the TT website to post your birthday wishes to Coach Hatchell who celebrates another year on February 28^th! This link will gather our well-wishes for our super coach and friend!   

Tickets and Parking

Please continue your marketing efforts and direct your groups to UNC’s ticket office (Emily Cozart - 1-800-722-4335 or 919-962-2296) to receive group discounts. 

Group prices: 

10-24 - $8 per person

25-49 - $6                                                                               

50-99 - $4

100+ - $2 

PA/Video Board Recognition - To show appreciation for group support, UNCAA (Athletic Department) will recognize the attending group with a PA announcement during the game as well the group’s name and/or logo on the video board.  Tell the group leader to submit their group name and logo to Sarah Humphries at shumphri@uncaa.unc.edu 

Parking/Bus Instructions - Along with the added benefit of having ample seating in the Smith Center this year for all home games, comes ample parking.  The Skipper Bowles Lot as well as the Manning Lot are conveniently located in close proximity to the Smith Center for general public parking.  If you and your group will be traveling via bus, please contact Sarah Humphries at shumphri@uncaa.unc.edu  in order to make the appropriate arrangements in advance of the game that you and your group will be attending. 

Media Volunteers Needed

TT and Ed Weiss needs your help! Read local sports publications and/or visit sports-related websites. Contact Ed (edsue@rocketmail.com) to share your ideas on what they are doing right or wrong to support UNC WBB. We want to be the best informed group on how best to increase our home attendance through marketing strategies related to the press (print, electronic, radio, tv, etc.). Ed has years of media experience and has been a long-time women’s basketball supporter.  

To increase our impact, we need TEAM TEMPO members to read the newspapers following each game AND contact the journalists to express their opinions. If the article and coverage was great – give them a compliment! If the coverage was inadequate or inappropriate, be professional and give them feedback. We want the Triangle media to know that we care about media support and we value our Tar Heels.  Let us know if you are able to stay abreast of our team in the media. Contact ttmedia@meridians.us TODAY! 

Our latest partner in the effort to support UNC WBB is Scott Bridges’ Scout – Inside Carolina (http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=78&f=3777&t=3824574). Their informative site has a women’s basketball forum that we all should join to share our comments. Scout has recruiting and team performance news too! Go directly or visit the link on the TT website.  Post your comments! It is a great tool to relieve stress, find out the latest happenings, or to develop your own journalistic ambitions.  

Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!

As Coach Hatchell would tell us, recruiting is the lifeblood of her success. Let’s continue to build the membership of TEAM TEMPO. Tell everyone you know about our grassroots organization. We are committed to supporting UNC Women’s Basketball and want to meet others who have the same passion. If you know of other supporters, Rams Club members, faculty, staff, students, relatives, former players, coaches, or managers – ask them to join us and to visit our TEAM TEMPO web site TODAY! There is power in numbers!   

Look for TT members with attractive buttons at future games. We will wear these buttons to create brand awareness and foster group unity. If you see a TT member with a button, ask “How may I get one TODAY?”  J

Member Survey – “Let your voice be heard!”

The leaders of TT are identifying those ideas that can best enhance marketing for the program in the short term. We continue to need your feedback though! We need your feedback each and every week as we compile and forward this information to the marketing coordinators in the athletic department. So please, complete the TT survey; your feedback is essential as it is the gauge of effectiveness and the first step to marketing success.  We need to know what you want TEAM TEMPO to accomplish to increase attendance and how you visualize us embracing the UNC Women’s Basketball program.  

In our next weekly Team Tempo update, you will receive the link to a new members-only page which will index the current results of our member survey.  We appreciate your understanding that this site is for members only. 

Thank YOU for Your Ideas

Your wonderful ideas ranged from best practices marketing regarding senior citizens, creative halftime shows and print advertising, parking, and outreach to local schools. TT will work closely with UNCAA to offer suggestions and most importantly, the implementation such that the team, coaches, UNC officials, and fans ALL win!  

Commentaries Welcome