The Good Men Project Sports remembers Dean Smith.
___
Legendary former University of North Carolina men’s basketball coach, Dean Smith, passed away last night at the age of 83. He died peacefully in his home, with his wife and five children.
Smith’s coaching achievements were epic: two national championships at North Carolina, appearances in five national title games, 13 ACC Conference Tournament championships, 23 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournaments, an Olympic gold medal in 1976, and a well-deserved spot in basketball’s Hall of Fame. When Smith retired in 1997, he did so with a career record of 879-254 and (at that time) with more wins in the NCAA tournament than any other coach.
Over the course of his forty year career he coached and served as mentor to the likes of future pros Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, Brad Daugherty, J.R. Reid, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison.
♦◊♦
But Smith’s legacy also transcended basketball. Perhaps not as well known, Smith also used his platform as an advocate for social justice. As explained in an article on ESPN.com:
“He was willing to take controversial stands on a number of things as a member of our church — being against the death penalty, affirming gays and lesbians, protesting nuclear proliferation,” said Robert Seymour, the former pastor at Binkley Baptist Church. “He was one who has been willing to speak out on issues that many might hesitate to take a stand on.”
Smith also integrated the UNC Basketball program in 1966, recruiting Charlie Scott, the first black scholarship athlete in the school’s history. He also actively helped to break a culture of segregation by dining at a restaurant with a black theological student and helping a black student to purchase a home in an all white neighborhood.
♦◊♦
As to his accomplishments and service as a coach, leader, and mentor, the words of those he impacted – and there were so many – say it best:
“[H]is greatest gift was his unique ability to teach what it takes to become a good man. That was easy for him to do because he was a great man himself. All of his players benefited greatly from his basketball teachings, but even more from his ability to help mold men of integrity, honor and purpose. Those teachings, specifically, will live forever in those he touched.”
– Duke Coach, Mike Krzyzewski
◊◊◊
“His concern for people will be the legacy I will remember most. He was a mentor to so many people; he was my mentor. He gave me a chance but, more importantly, he shared with me his knowledge, which is the greatest gift you can give someone.”
– UNC Coach, Roy Williams
◊◊◊
“Other than my parents, no one had a bigger influence on my life than Coach Smith. He was more than a coach — he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father. Coach was always there for me whenever I needed him and I loved him for it. In teaching me the game of basketball, he taught me about life.”
– Michael Jordan
◊◊◊
“He was more than a coach” http://t.co/T2AJEwbQXV #GoHeels #DeanSmith pic.twitter.com/irNt5T0oJD
— CarolinaBlue.com (@CarolinaBlue247) February 8, 2015
◊◊◊
We lost the MICHAELANGELO of coaching DEAN SMITH RIP – read story about his fabulous career @ice_chip http://t.co/iw7Tfc2i4y
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 8, 2015
◊◊◊
“If you make every game a life and death proposition, you’re going to have problems. For one thing, you’ll be dead a lot.” – #RIPDeanSmith
— King James ® (@LeBronJames) February 8, 2015
—
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Pete Leabo
