Father's Day Tribute Win
UNC's Erik Paulsen Jr. honors late father on emotional Father's Day after CWS win
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Erik Paulsen Jr. broke down in tears after UNC baseball beat Oklahoma 6-2 on Father's Day to win the 2026 College World Series. It was his first Father's Day without his dad, Erik Paulsen Sr., who died at age 54 earlier this year after a battle with cancer. Shelby Star reported that Paulsen wore his father's NYPD shield on a gold chain for all 68 games of the season — never once taking a day off.
The win in Omaha gave the UNC Tar Heels their College World Series title. But for Paulsen, the moment meant far more than a trophy. "Every step I took on that dirt today, he was there," Paulsen told reporters after the game. "This wasn't my win. This was his."
Paulsen Played All 68 Games While Grieving
Erik Paulsen Sr. passed away in mid-February 2026 — just as the college baseball season was starting. His son chose not to take bereavement time. Instead, he played in every single game UNC played, all 68 of them. Star News Online reported that Paulsen wore his father's NYPD shield under his jersey as a tribute in each of those games.
Paulsen Sr. was a retired NYPD officer. The shield his son wore is a commemorative token given to family members of officers. Teammates took notice. Several players were seen pointing to Paulsen's chain during the trophy celebration after the final out Gaston Gazette reported.
Coach Forbes Called Paulsen the Team's Heartbeat
UNC head coach Scott Forbes got emotional talking about Paulsen after the game. "Erik is the heartbeat of this clubhouse," Forbes said. "To watch him play 68 straight games while carrying that weight — it's the most selfless thing I've seen in 20 years of coaching." Forbes said Paulsen embodies the program's five pillars: humility, passion, servanthood, thankfulness, and unity.
Forbes has been a key support figure for Paulsen all season. His handling of the situation is being praised as an example of "player-first" coaching. Fayetteville Observer noted that UNC's team culture helped Paulsen stay grounded through a deeply painful stretch of his life.
A Father's Day Victory Years in the Making
Paulsen Sr. was his son's first baseball coach, working with him on travel ball circuits in Long Island, New York. The Father's Day timing of the championship win was not lost on anyone in Omaha. More than 24,000 fans were at Charles Schwab Field to watch UNC close out Oklahoma. Citizen Times described the moment as a "full circle" for the Paulsen family.
Social media erupted after the final out. The hashtags #OmahaHeels and #ForBigErik both trended on Father's Day evening. The story drew national attention not just as a sports moment, but as a reminder of what drives athletes through the toughest stretches of their lives.
Paulsen's Draft Stock and Broader NCAA Impact
MLB scouts have taken notice of Paulsen — not just for his play, but for his mental toughness. His ability to perform at a high level through extreme personal loss is expected to raise his profile ahead of the 2026 or 2027 MLB Draft, according to Yahoo Sports.
The story is also expected to spark a wider conversation inside the NCAA. Analysts say it highlights the need for stronger bereavement policies and better mental health support for student-athletes who lose parents during an active season. Paulsen's season may become a case study in how programs handle grief — and how much a team's culture can carry a player through the hardest moments of their life.
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