North Carolina At Chapel Hill

Meet Phoenix, an energetic and bright 7-year-old from Morrisville, NC. Phoenix lives with Down Syndrome, but this life-altering condition doesn’t ever slow him down for long! This UNC Chapel Hill super fan is never caught without a basketball in his hands and loves playing the game outside with his brother.

Phoenix and his dad NEVER miss a UNC Men’s Basketball game on TV, but have never seen the Tarheels play at Dean Smith Center. We loved making this Dream come true!

Phoenix was surprised with a five star send off with the UNC Collegiate Dream Team which included 2020 UNC Dream Kid, Kendall! Phoenix’s Dream included time with the men’s soccer team, and since Phoenix loves soccer, this was a special surprise. The team was great with Phoenix and his family and they even gifted Phoenix some swag! Day one ended with dinner at Top of the Hill, a UNC staple, and a night at The Umstead Hotel and Spa.

On day two, Phoenix enjoyed the full Carolina experience! He started his day by taking a tour of the UNC Basketball facility, including seeing the collection of championship rings, trophies, Coach Davis’ office, and the locker room. Then he got to run down the player tunnel and shoot around on the court! Phoenix and his family watched the team do their pre-game walkthrough before heading down to the court to meet them. Justin McKoy gave him a signed ball from all the players and several of the players hung around after to shoot some more with Phoenix and his brother.

From here the family enjoyed lunch with the entire UNC Collegiate Dream Team as well as a shopping spree at Johnny T-shirt so they could be decked out in new swag for the UNC basketball game that evening.

The Dream Team headed down to the Dean Dome where they got to enter through a special entrance. They even got to walk back down the player tunnel on the way to their seats and high-five a few of the players! When they got to their seats they realized they were sitting directly behind the legendary Coach Roy Williams! Talk about VIP! Roy was so welcoming and spent some time talking with Phoenix and his family. During the game, Phoenix was recognized as a special guest and even received a gift from the cheerleaders and Rameses!

After the Tarheel victory, Phoenix got to go back down the player tunnel and was able to get a few more autographs from Caleb Love, Armando Bacot, and Justin McKoy.

This weekend was incredible from beginning to end and that wouldn’t have been possible without the UNC CDT! Phoenix and his family will cherish these memories forever.

Video: Wheelhouse Media