Chansky’s Notebook: Mr. ‘Air-Ball!’
Posted May 18, 2022
Rich Yonakor – the infamous “Chickie” of the 1977-80 Tar Heels – passed away on March 3, two days before North Carolina turned its basketball season around with the dramatic 94-81 upset at Cameron Indoor. Man, time flies. More than 43 years earlier, Yonakor inadvertently created the cheer that has stuck with basketball ever since "Air Ball! Air Ball!"
(Chapelboro.com)
Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting
Video: TarHeel247 Podcast - The Early Vibe on the Basketball Tar HeelsAs UNC nears completion in building its 2026-27 basketball roster, a growing vibe has surfaced about some aspects of Michael Malone's first Tar Heels squad...
Sat Jun 13, 2026Video: UNC Basketball To Host Butler, Diamond Heels In Omaha
UNC Basketball's home-and-home series with Butler finally has a date for its 2026 matchup in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels and Bulldogs will square off...
Fri Jun 12, 2026
Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Breakout Season For Jarin Stevenson? UNC Baseball's CWS Experience
Jarin Stevenson is the key returning player for UNC Basketball next season. If he takes a step forward, it will put the Tar Heels in...
Thu Jun 11, 2026
The First 60 Days Part III: How Michael Malone Is Recruiting UNC Basketball's Future
UNC's recruitment of Kevin Thomas offered a glimpse into how Michael Malone has navigated his first months in college basketball, leaning on relationships connected to...
Thu Jun 11, 2026
