Sun Sep 07 02:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Belichick Effect: UNC Football Unveils “Chapel Thrill” Pregame Experience
**CHAPEL HILL, NC** – The arrival of legendary coach Bill Belichick has not only reshaped the UNC football program, but also the entire game day atmosphere. This Monday, the university launched the “Chapel Thrill Game Day” experience, a revamped pregame celebration aimed at capitalizing on the renewed excitement surrounding the Tar Heels.
The multi-faceted event included the Coca-Cola Fan Zone in the Pit, the return of the Old Well Walk, a performance by the UNC Marching Tar Heels, and an upgraded Modelo Kickoff Club with food trucks and tailgating. The highlight, however, was the inaugural Chapel Thrill Concert Series, headlined by UNC alumnus and country music star Chase Rice.
“We wanted to capitalize on the momentum after hiring Coach Belichick,” said Deputy Athletic Director Rick Barakat. “We think there’s a void to fill in terms of game day entertainment and pregame experience.”
Rice, a former UNC football player who learned to play guitar in his Ehringhaus dorm room, readily agreed to kick off the concert series. He expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This was the coolest thing I had ever seen UNC do.”
The decision to feature Rice was a natural fit, according to organizers. “Because he is a former Tar Heel and football player, that connectivity just made even more sense,” Barakat explained.
Thousands of fans, decked out in Carolina Blue, flooded campus hours before kickoff. They tailgated near the Bell Tower, gathered in the Pit, and packed Polk Place in anticipation of Rice’s performance and the start of the Belichick era.
Following Rice’s concert, the UNC Marching Tar Heels took the stage, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Field conductor AJ Schlemmer believes the upgraded game day experience will bring more attention to the area of campus where they have traditionally performed on game days and “share our school spirit with Tar Heel fans who might not have known about our traditions before this season.”
The initial response to “Chapel Thrill Game Day” has been overwhelmingly positive, with a significant turnout for all events. While organizers are still gathering feedback, they are optimistic that this new pregame experience will become a beloved tradition for UNC fans. As Barakat noted, “It’s an evolving process because this is new…we need to run a couple games and see what the traffic flow looks like, what fan behavior is, and I’m sure we’ll continue to iterate our approach.”
First Piper 