Ram Roast deters Tar Heel blue tunnel

A cool breeze flows through the Free Expression Tunnel as students trudge to 8 a.m. classes. And as if the tired routine of the fall semester isn't enough -- the tunnel is a bright, baby blue.

The Senior Class Council is coordinating the second running of an event to prevent UNC-Chapel Hill students from painting the Free Expression Tunnel blue prior to a Wolfpack-Tar Heel match-up.

According to Senior Class President Adam Whitehouse, the main purpose of the senior classes' Ram Roast is to "deter" Carolina students from painting the tunnel before the rival teams square-off Saturday at Kenan Stadium.

"The senior class wants to stop the tunnel being painted blue," he said. "The main way [to stop them] is to deter them by being there."

Chris Mangieri, a senior in biological sciences and co-coordinator of the Ram Roast, noted that the goal is to keep the tunnel from being "degraded."

"[The Ram Roast] is to protect the Free Expression Tunnel -- typically Carolina students before any major State [vs.] Carolina game; they come and paint the entire Free Expression Tunnel Carolina blue -- that heinous color."

He also indicated the roast serves to boost student morale and spirit before every match-up between N.C. State and UNC in basketball and football.

Whitehouse, a senior in psychology, said the Senior Class Council will be providing many incentives for students to attend and participate in three-hour shifts throughout the night to protect the tunnel.

"We are giving away an [East Carolina] football ticket for every student [who attends] up to 50 per shift on a seniors-first basis -- but they do not have to be seniors," he said. "We are giving out 150 in all."

He indicated athletics allotted the Senior Class Council the tickets for the game, which is on Nov. 25.

Among the free tickets, the council is organizing a scavenger hunt and providing a projector and sound system to play video clips and video games.

Mangieri added that football players, cheerleaders, the marching band and possibly the dance team will also be in attendance.

There will be two pigs cooked during the event free to everyone who helps protect the tunnel.

"We are cooking two pigs throughout the night," Whitehouse said. "One will be available at 8 p.m. and then one later in the night probably around 11 p.m."

He added there will also be giveaways and prizes including bobble-heads, shirts, basketball tickets and parking passes for games this season.

Mangieri emphasized the group will use whatever force necessary under the law to keep Carolina students from painting the tunnel.

"We are going to push the limit of the law of what we can do to them before we get in trouble," he said of overzealous Carolina students trying to gain access to paint the tunnel.

"It is good college fun," he added.

Although the name of the event is Ram Roast, Whitehouse said there will be no lamb on the grill.

Mangieri offered his explanation, stating that lamb is "probably too expensive."

However, ram violence is not absent from the docket as Tar Heel pinatas will be up for beatings.

"We do have ram pinatas -- we are going bash the hell out of them," Mangieri said.

The Senior Class Council will whitewash the Free Expression Tunnel prior to the event and will provide paint for students to participate in a mural competition.

According to Mangieri, the council is not too worried about the prospect of Carolina students painting the tunnel.

"I am sure the Carolina kids don't have as much of a backbone as the N.C. State Wolfpack do," he said. "So I am sure they wouldn't try to paint the tunnel blue because they will get scared off and run away."

The event starts at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Free Expression Tunnel and will last until 7 a.m. Friday morning.