Good afternoon, Tar Heels! Here's your campus news update for Monday, August 4, 2025.
The University of North Carolina has announced a significant leadership change in its athletic department. Bubba Cunningham, who has served as athletic director since 2011, will transition to a senior advisory role in 2026. Steve Newmark, a Chapel Hill native and current president of RFK Racing, has been appointed as the executive associate athletic director, effective August 15, 2025. Newmark brings a wealth of experience, including a legal background and previous work with the NCAA and SEC. He expressed enthusiasm for continuing UNC's legacy in college sports and is committed to upholding its premier status. This transition plan ensures continuity and strategic vision in Carolina athletics under Newmark's future leadership.
In a groundbreaking partnership, UNC Health and Duke Health have announced plans to build North Carolina's first standalone children's hospital, named "NC Children's," in the Research Triangle region. The 500-bed pediatric hospital will include a children's outpatient care center, a behavioral health center, and research and education facilities connected to the health systems' medical schools. Groundbreaking is expected by 2027, with completion in about six years, at a projected cost exceeding $2 billion. This collaboration aims to enhance pediatric care, drive economic development, and create thousands of jobs in North Carolina.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has announced job cuts and a pause on the construction of a $218 million research facility due to uncertainties surrounding federal research funding. The halted project, the Translational Research Building, was set to provide 160,000 square feet of new lab space near the university's medical school. This move reflects broader impacts of federal government policy changes on higher education institutions in the Triangle region, which play a critical role in both the local and state economy. UNC leaders are actively reassessing their research infrastructure and preparing for various funding scenarios, signaling a cautious and strategic response to potential reductions in grant awards and reimbursements for research costs.
In a transformative period for college football, former NFL head coach Bill Belichick has taken the head coaching position at the University of North Carolina. Belichick aims to apply his extensive NFL experience to modernize UNC's football program, dealing with elements like the transfer portal, NIL money, and impending revenue sharing, which now closely resemble professional football structures. His presence is expected to boost UNC's profile and financial opportunities. Belichick has signed a lucrative contract worth $10 million annually, emphasizing UNC's substantial investment in enhancing their football program.
The 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer team, under the leadership of first-year head coach Damon Nahas, clinched their twenty-second national title and first in twelve years. Despite a coaching change just before the season began, the team finished with an impressive 22–5–0 record. Their journey included a six-game winning streak in the ACC season and a victory over Wake Forest in the national championship final. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the program's storied history.
Lee H. Roberts, who has served as interim chancellor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since January, was elected the university’s 13th chancellor by the UNC Board of Governors. Roberts, with a background in the financial industry, has faced both criticism and support from differing factions of the student body and faculty for his response to pro-Palestine protests on campus. His appointment marks a new chapter in the university's leadership.
That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and updates from around campus. Go Heels!