Carolina football unveils ‘Honoring Our Military’ wall

A group of University officials, including football coach Bill Belichick, Chancellor Lee H. Roberts, Dean of Students Desireé Rieckenberg, director of the Military Veteran and Student Success Center Rob Palermo and incoming athletic director Steve Newmark pose with the new — Carolina athletics, military and university officials, including football coach Bill Belichick (gray sweatshirt at center) and Chancellor Lee H. Roberts (right of Belichick) pose with the new "Honoring Our Military" wall inside the Kenan Football Center. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Carolina football honored alumni who have served in the United States forces with a Nov. 11 unveiling of the “Honoring Our Military” wall inside the Kenan Football Center Hall of Honor.

The installation serves as a place of reflection for the courage, sacrifice and selflessness demonstrated by players, coaches and staff of the Tar Heel football program who answered the call to serve their country.

“The new memorial reflects the University’s enduring values of service and honor,” said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “It ensures that generations of Tar Heels will remember those who served both on the gridiron and on behalf of our great nation. We are proud to be part of recognizing their service.”

The wall includes the name, branch and years of service for each honoree, along with their position and years with the Carolina football program.

The "Honoring Our Military" wall inside the Kenan Football Center. It shows the name, branch and years of service for each honoree.

More alumni and former coaches with ties to the football program will be added to the wall in the future. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

This idea sprang from one of the first conversations Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick had with Roberts after arriving on campus in December 2024.

“It’s really an honor to be a part of anything related to honoring our veterans and military, so it’s a great privilege for me to do that on behalf of the University of North Carolina and the football program,” said Belichick. “When I met with Chancellor Roberts as I came here, we talked about a lot of things that involved supporting student athletes and recognizing people who have contributed to this football program through the years. One of the things we talked about was honoring the people in our program who have served, so I’m very proud to be part of the recognition that we are putting up here in the football building.

“We’re very appreciative of what our military does to defend our freedom,” he continued. “Thank you to all of our service members for actively helping us and those who have served in the past.”

Currently, 61 names are displayed on the wall with the intention to expand as more Carolina football alumni are identified or complete their military service.

One name soon to be added to the wall is Steve Belichick, Bill Belichick’s father, who served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II and then later coached in the Carolina football program for two years.

Carolina football coach Bill Belichick speaks during a press conference about the "Honoring Our Military" wall in the Kenan Football Center. In this photo, he is framed between two Army R.O.T.C. students.

Coach Bill Belichick suggested finding more ways to honor those who have served in the armed forces during an early conversation with Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Two current Carolina football staff members are on the wall: special teams coordinator Mike Priefer and assistant director of sports performance Trent Baker. Priefer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989 and served in the Navy for eight years across a variety of roles, including instructor, club sports officer and football coach. Baker served with the Navy SEALs from 2001 to 2023 in roles like junior operator, operations leader and program manager.

“I’m humbled and honored to be on a wall like this. There’s a lot of history embedded with football in our nation’s history,” said Baker. “There’s lots of stories that need to be told. I’m just humbled to be there because I’m standing on the shoulders of giants, the history and warfare from Vietnam down to World War II on that wall is pretty impressive.”

Another member of the wall is Kevin Shwedo ’78, a former deputy commanding officer for the United States Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, who served in the Army for 32 years and held various leadership and development positions.

“Coach Belichick at age 2 moved to Chapel Hill, but two years later, his dad coached at the Naval Academy for 33 years. If you want to know why he has a special love for servicemen and women, it has everything to do with his growing up,” said Shwedo. “When I was playing here, my coach was Chuck Priefer, and I am honored to be on the same wall as Mike Priefer now. The fact of the matter is you never quit. Once you get out of that environment, you’ve got a competitive edge over everybody. That started here in Chapel Hill with the football team and now it’s an honor to be on that wall.”

Warren Green ’06, a former Carolina football long snapper, is also on the wall. Green has been serving for 19 years as an AH-64 Apache helicopter pilot.

“I think having the wall in the football facility is a great way to show current players that there are opportunities after football to continue being part of a team with a purpose that requires discipline, resilience and leadership qualities they’ve learned while being a student-athlete,” said Green. “UNC has always held a special place in my heart. To be recognized by the University and football program almost 20 years after graduating goes to show you are always part of the Tar Heel family. I will always be grateful for the impact the University and football program had on my life.”