Margo Gray

UNC hadn't dealt with the sports scandal in decades. Its record with the NCAA was spotless. So when it came time to select a new chancellor, no one saw the need to prioritize experience in athletics. Besides, whatever Holden Thorpe lacked in that area, he more than made up for elsewhere.

He was a Fayetteville native, UNC graduate, lifelong Carolina sports fan, beloved professor, and renowned academic.

He was a Fayetteville native, UNC graduate, lifelong Carolina sports fan, beloved professor, and renowned academic.

He was a Fayetteville native, UNC graduate, lifelong Carolina sports fan, beloved professor, and renowned academic.

This was news to me, just how much political connections influence the selection of university leaders. It's especially true at public universities like UNC that rely on taxpayer dollars.

This was news to me, just how much political connections influence the selection of university leaders. It's especially true at public universities like UNC that rely on taxpayer dollars.

This was news to me, just how much political connections influence the selection of university leaders. It's especially true at public universities like UNC that rely on taxpayer dollars.

At just 43, Thorpe was one of the youngest chancellors ever in UNC history.

At just 43, Thorpe was one of the youngest chancellors ever in UNC history.

At just 43, Thorpe was one of the youngest chancellors ever in UNC history.

And not just any athletics crisis, but one of the biggest scandals to ever rock college sports.

And not just any athletics crisis, but one of the biggest scandals to ever rock college sports.

And not just any athletics crisis, but one of the biggest scandals to ever rock college sports.

At the start of Holdenthorpe's chancellorship, UNC was riding high. In 2009, during his first full academic year as chancellor, the men's basketball team clinched the national championship.

At the start of Holdenthorpe's chancellorship, UNC was riding high. In 2009, during his first full academic year as chancellor, the men's basketball team clinched the national championship.

At the start of Holdenthorpe's chancellorship, UNC was riding high. In 2009, during his first full academic year as chancellor, the men's basketball team clinched the national championship.

Then President Barack Obama honored the championship team at the White House.

Then President Barack Obama honored the championship team at the White House.

Then President Barack Obama honored the championship team at the White House.

Whether Obama meant to or not, his remarks touched on the Carolina way, the philosophy popularized under legendary coach Dean Smith. It's the belief that UNC excels not only on the court, but off of it as well. And it's a belief that endured at UNC long after Smith's tenure.