Dean Smith Passes

[WANG]

As NCBG brought up in another thread, Dean Smith passed away yesterday at the age of 83.

From everything I have read, he is a great human being and an ambassador for the desegregation of NC, including being the coach at UNC when they had their first black basketball player (who happened to be Shannon Scott's father).

Great man for the game of basketball and truly a great person.

[Deleted]

If I recall correctly, it is a good thing for him and his family that he passed. His life had been non-existent for a few years. Great coach and a huge impact on the game of basketball.

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Feb 9, 2015 10:28:33 GMT -5 @theurbaneffect said:

If I recall correctly, it is a good thing for him and his family that he passed. His life had been non-existent for a few years. Great coach and a huge impact on the game of basketball.

Sadly, his last years were not good, may he now have some peace. It was not a shock but sad to lose him.

This may be one heck of a funeral, not sure yet. The Governor has flags at half staff until Wed noon.

NC is in a sober state.

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Feb 9, 2015 10:35:50 GMT -5 @buckina said:

Feb 9, 2015 10:28:33 GMT -5 @theurbaneffect said:

If I recall correctly, it is a good thing for him and his family that he passed. His life had been non-existent for a few years. Great coach and a huge impact on the game of basketball.

Sadly, his last years were not good, may he now have some peace. It was not a shock but sad to lose him.

This may be one heck of a funeral, not sure yet. The Governor has flags at half staff until Wed noon.

NC is in a sober state.

Yes. Sadly his state had gotten so bad that I had heard he barely remembered what basketball was, let alone all that he had done. Very sad way to see someone go out, so like you said, hopefully he has some peace now.

[Deleted]

I heard in his honor they were going to cancel all real and fake classes today at UNC

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Feb 9, 2015 12:24:33 GMT -5 @cincycanesfan said:

I heard in his honor they were going to cancel all real and fake classes today at UNC

HAHA!! That was good!

[cwerph]

I have a friend who played for Dean in the 70's. He was from Columbus, but the dumbasses at Ohio State had a rule that they would only recruit 1 player from a school at a time. One of the other players on the state championship team was 6'10" so Ohio State recruited him instead. Smith offered both guys and they both went to UNC.

The thing I remember most about Smith is how he never abandoned his players. Didn't matter if they were stars or scrubs or in between, he would always take their calls and give them good counsel.

My friend had a tragedy in his life (death of one of twin boys) which he didn't handle real well. Smith made sure he got the help he needed, helped save his marriage and helped him find a job in North Carolina. The last time my friend saw Dean (a few years ago), Smith "sort of recognized him" but not really. It was very sad.

Funny story - when they dedicated the Dean Dome, players from years gone by came to play a game there. My friend, whose other son was about 10 at the time, went with him to the locker room. He said he looked over and the boy was just staring, mouth agape. He had just shaken the hand of Michael Jordan. One of the biggest thrills of his life.

[Deleted]

Wow - that would be an amazing event for any 10 year old.

[victor2111]

RIP Dean Smith. Did a lot for BB. Seem like he did more as a person. That is how you know he was special.


Good story, CWERPH.

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Feb 9, 2015 17:13:30 GMT -5 cwerph said:

I have a friend who played for Dean in the 70's. He was from Columbus, but the dumbasses at Ohio State had a rule that they would only recruit 1 player from a school at a time. One of the other players on the state championship team was 6'10" so Ohio State recruited him instead. Smith offered both guys and they both went to UNC.

The thing I remember most about Smith is how he never abandoned his players. Didn't matter if they were stars or scrubs or in between, he would always take their calls and give them good counsel.

My friend had a tragedy in his life (death of one of twin boys) which he didn't handle real well. Smith made sure he got the help he needed, helped save his marriage and helped him find a job in North Carolina. The last time my friend saw Dean (a few years ago), Smith "sort of recognized him" but not really. It was very sad.

Funny story - when they dedicated the Dean Dome, players from years gone by came to play a game there. My friend, whose other son was about 10 at the time, went with him to the locker room. He said he looked over and the boy was just staring, mouth agape. He had just shaken the hand of Michael Jordan. One of the biggest thrills of his life.

Great story!

That sounds like Dean.