As the 2005 year closes out and a new year prepares to start it is time to look back at what happened in the last 12 months for the Tar Heels and UNC sports. From A-Z, we look at some of the moments you will remember for years to come. We'll give you a hint about C: it has something to do with the special accomplishment of Roy Williams and last season's Tar Heel basketball team.

It was a big year so we may not catch it all. If you see something from 2005 that wasn't here go the TarHeelIllustrated.com premium message board – Blue Heaven – and tell us about it.

A – Academics. Between the hard work of the athletes, support staff and coaches Carolina has a record to be proud of here. According to the TarHeelBlue.com web site: "During the 2004-05 academic year, 295 Carolina student-athletes made the ACC Academic Honor Roll, which requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for the year. In the fall of 2004, 176 student-athletes made the Dean's List, and 163 did so in the spring of 2005." Nice work.

B – Brandon Tate. If you didn't get to your seat earlier you missed quite a show from this true freshman from Burlington. He was on several all freshman teams including the Rivals.com one. Tar Heel fans will enjoy watching Tate for years to come.

C – Champions. North Carolina and coach Roy Williams were able to bring in the 2005 National Championship. Special players, special coaches and special moments all add up to a very special season when the Heels won it all.

D – Distance runner. As in distance runner Alice Schmidt, one of the premier middle distance runners in the ACC, who won the Patterson Medal, awarded annually to North Carolina's most outstanding female senior student-athlete. She won three NCAA championships and eight ACC titles and was an 11-time All-America. Schmidt led the Tar Heels to eight ACC team championships (four outdoor, three indoor and one cross country) and NCAA Top 10 finishes on eight occasions (two outdoor, three indoor and three cross country).

E – Elmar Bolowich. The North Carolina men's soccer coach picked up his 200th career victory this season and kept going. The men's team reached the NCAA quarterfinals this season.

F – Fox, as in baseball coach Mike Fox, who continues to turn out top baseball teams. In the last six years, Fox has taken UNC tames to the NCAA Tournament five times and won more than 200 games.

G – Josh Glasco. The swimmer was an All-America two years in a row at the NCAA Championships. He entered this season as the top returning performer in the ACC. The women's team can get it done in the pool, too. Freshman Whitney Sprague became the newest record holder in the 500-yard free style at the Nike Cup in November. Sprague touched in at 4:44.25, over seven tenths better the previous record.

H – Hansbrough. He hasn't been at Carolina for a full year, but Tar Heel freshmen Tyler Hansbrough has already created plenty of excitement to end 2005 and beyond.

I - Ivory Latta. The smooth point guard helped the women's team to outstanding year last season and they are ranked No. 5 this season. Fun to watch.

J – Jed Prossner. The two-time All-America lacrosse attackman was named a Patterson Medal as the University of North Carolina's most outstanding male athlete. He earned first-team All-America honors by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association in 2004 and 2005, making him the third Tar Heel attackman to earn two first-team selections. He was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.

K – Karen Shelton. North Carolina field hockey coach won her 400th game of her brilliant coaching career on the way to a NCAA berth.

L – Lottery. Rashad McCants. Sean May. Marvin Williams. Raymond Felton. All NBA lottery picks. All deserving.

M – Marvin. From Marvin Williams to Marvin Sanders it was a good year for Marvins at UNC. Williams helped lead the Heels to a national title, before becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Sanders help the Tar Heel defense make major strides and then turned down offers from Big 12 programs to stay at Carolina.

N – North Carolina State football win. This football win had to be the most pleasing for Tar Heel fans. UNC did it all and won on State's home field. Boston College and Virginia were good wins, too. This one stands out. John Bunting's program keeps taking steps forward.

O – mOp. It is a stretch, but you've got to include Sean May's incredible Most Outstanding Player performance in the 2005 Final Four and Syracuse Regional. It was very Outstanding.

P – Painful. As in what the Maryland football loss was for many reasons.

Q – Quinn as in Tar Heel tight end Richard Quinn. Saw some playing time in 2005 and has plenty of potential.

R – Recruiting. Roy Williams had the top ranked basketball recruiting class in the country for 2006 with plenty of players like Brandon Wright, Tywon Lawson and Wayne Ellington that fans can't wait to see in Carolina Blue. John Bunting is putting the finishing touches on a nationally ranked football class.

R+ - Roy Williams. Got to add coach Williams in here after the great run to the championship last year and the super way the program is positioned for the future.

S – UNC basketball seniors. Jackie Manuel, Melvin Scott and Jawad Williams gave all they had to make the Tar Heels winners. This trio was a pleasure to watch.

T – Tennis. The men's team entered 2005 after the most successful season in school history. Sam Paul and his squad will look for even bigger things in 2006. Coach Brian Kalbas has the women's team looking to more strong performances after an excellent season last year.

U – University Athletic Communications. The media relations staff led by Steve Kirschner always goes the extra mile helping the media and supplying information.

V – Volleyball. The UNC squad finished 23-10 and reached the NCAA tournament before losing in the first round.

W – Wresting. UNC senior Evan Sola went 15-0 in dual matches in the 133-pound class.

X – AleX, as in Alex Miller. OK, it is getting hard now. Alex Miller is a sophomore guard on the North Carolina women's basketball team.

Y – Yael Averbuch. The freshman women's soccer player was named to the prestigious Soccer America First-Team All-Freshman team for the 2005 season. Proof that this solid program will continue getting better and better.

Z – Zealous. Carolina fans showed plenty of support at several events last year. It will certainly continue in the new year.

Well, that is it. Another fun year of Tar Heel sports with another one about to come. Thanks for joining us here at TarHeelIllustrated.com, and we look forward to the next year.

Have a Happy New Year!