Highlights for Sportscasts

• Last UNC Men’s Basketball Game in Carmichael Auditorium

  The last UNC Men’s Basketball game in Carmichael. UNC vs NCSU. January 6, 1985.

  Carmichael was known as one of the loudest arenas in the country while the Tar Heel men played there. The architecture of the building had a low roof and a student section that ringed the court.

  UNC Men’s Basketball coach Dean Smith led North Carolina to its arena-opening 82-68 victory over William & Mary in 1965. UNC player, Bob Lewis, made the first shot in Carmichael.

  On January 6, 1986 North Carolina Coach Dean Smith led his Tar Heels to finish its 20-year stay in Carmichael Auditorium the way it started – with a victory. The No. 1 and undefeated Tar Heels defeated rival North Carolina State 90-79. A few weeks later, January 19, the Tar Heels started playing in the Dean Smith Center, AKA “The Dean Dome.” That first game was against Duke.

  The Tar Heels record Carmichael Auditorium, AKA “Blue Heaven” was 169-20.

  Who made the final basket at Carmichael? *Spoiler Alert*
  NCSU basketball coach Jim Valvano made a lay-up basket after the game. He claimed bragging rights to be the last one to make a basket in Carmichael.

• 1992 NCAA Basketball Final Four tournament Compilation of WRAL Sports Coverage

  Enjoy watching a compilation of newscasts featuring coverage of the 1992 NCAA Basketball Final Four and championship game. Spoiler alert! Duke University won the championship.

  WRAL sent a news and sports team to cover the excitement of the event. You’ll meet the student who was the Duke Blue Devil in 1992.

• WRAL Sports anchor Tom Suiter tosses hat like Mary Tyler Moore

  The 1992 NCAA Basketball Final Four tournament was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Duke University won the championship game. WRAL Sports anchor Tom Suiter was part of team coverage of all the festivities that surrounded the sporting event and of course the game itself.

  This short clip shows Tom having fun imitating the iconic hat toss by Mary Tyler Moore as seen during the open of her highly acclaimed weekly CBS comedy show during the ’70s.

• WRAL Sports anchor Tom Suiter’s Last Sportscast Dec 18 2008

  WRAL Sports anchor Tom Suiter retired as the primary WRAL Sports anchor on December 18, 2008.
  Tom Suiter started at WRAL in 1971 and worked under legendary sportscaster Nick Pond. He worked his way up in Sports and joined the 6 PM anchor team in 1981 … a position he held for nearly 28 years. In 2008, Tom went part-time and continued to play a major role by continuing his signature franchises – Football Friday and the Extra Effort Award. WRAL Sports director Bob Holliday presents Tom with his own Extra Effort Award at the end of the sportscast.

  Surrounded by the WRAL News and Sports staff, Tom thanked the viewers for letting him into their homes, via television, every evening.

• WRAL Sports anchor Tom Suiter farewell 2008

  Tom Suiter, worked at WRAL in sports for 45 amazing years. Tom started at WRAL in 1971. He worked his way up in Sports and joined the 6 PM anchor team in 1981 … a position he would hold for nearly 28 years. In 2008, Tom went part-time and continued to play a major role on our Sports staff. His signature franchises have truly stood the test of time. Football Friday and Extra Effort have been going strong for 35 years!

  This video commemorates his retirement from the sports anchor chair in 2008. It was produced by Bob Holliday, long time WRAL Sports Anchor.