Story by J Banzet
ANCHOR LEAD: When you think about the landscape of college athletics, one sport comes to mind when picturing the American south, and it’s not ice hockey. You also don’t think that a 39-year-old husband, father, and junior at UNC-Chapel Hill would be playing hockey for his school, and you absolutely wouldn’t think that that person would have just retired from 20 years in the US Military as a Special Forces Green Beret 18 bravo special forces weapons sargeant.
NATS POP
TRACK 1: Meet Joel Hughes, a junior goalie on the UNC Hockey team seeking a degree in Exercise and Sport Science after two decades of service.
Joel Hughes, UNC Hockey Goalie and Former Green Beret
“I really, I really did not like school. I had zero aspirations to go to college, and when I saw that, you know, the only other aspiration for me was to join the military.”
TRACK 1: Like many veterans his age, the 9/11 attacks made his decision a no-brainer.
Joel Hughes, UNC Hockey Goalie and Former Green Beret
“9/11 happened and that really sealed the deal for me.”
TRACK 1: When Hughes walks into any room, he naturally commands attention and respect.
NATS POP
TRACK 1: As a weapons sargeant, Hughes did a lot of his work on the ground, but he also sometimes found himself descending from more than 10,000 feet.
NATS POP
Joel Hughes, UNC Hockey Goalie and Former Green Beret
“Ummmm, like 16,000 feet.”
TRACK 1: Hughes retired from service after 20 years this past November. Now in school, he’s found himself a new group of teammates, this time on ice and up to 20 years younger than he is.
Wills Kendrick-Holmes, Former UNC Hockey President and Current US Navy Ensignee
“Honestly, we kind of had the superlatives this year for the team, and I think he got voted team dad, but for me, he’s kind of like team uncle. Like the fun uncle.”
TRACK 1: Hughes and the Tar Heels played NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium last February in front of over 26,000 people, on the same ice as the Carolina Hurricanes played their Stadium Series game two nights prior. Even though Carolina lost, Hughes will never forget that night for a multitude of reasons.
Holly Whittaker, Hughes’ Wife
“All the boys went, they went and saw the stadium beforehand, they got to hang out with the guys and it was just a really neat moment because, I mean, who gets to deal with that in their lifetime?”
Joel Hughes, UNC Hockey Goalie and Former Green Beret
“It was a once in a lifetime experience, and you know, I was extremely lucky and fortunate for my timing to be able to play in something like that. It’s unreal.”
TRACK 1: Joel’s legacy within the program and on campus as a whole will never be forgotten. You don’t ever see a 39-year-old guy who spent 20 years in the military as a Green Beret, taking on enemy fire, jumping out of airplanes, come back to get his first college education, while playing a sport, and being a father, and a husband, and a great mentor to every student he comes across on campus, all while living an hour south of campus and making that drive every day. But perhaps Joel’s biggest lasting legacy, he does not want to be the last military veteran to follow his path. He wants to give former veterans confidence to go back and get their own college education, potentially play a sport, and return home to civilian life and be great family men for their sons, daughters, and wives in the future. I’m J Banzet reporting.
TRT: 2:45
Also check out the first episode of UNC Hub’s podcast, featuring J Banzet and Valerie Jackson as they discuss Green Beret veteran Joel Hughes.
