Coach Dean Smith goes out with class

[jamnolfin]

One more thing North Carolina will never forget about their coach

Dean Smith

 

[DanC78]

What a great guy. A very simple deed that leaves a lasting impression!
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[SKSnole]

That's pretty cool. I love random acts of kindness.

 

[Gonolz]

That was very thoughtful and shows a lot of class. Shows appreciation to every player over 36 years
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[cmanole]

Jam, we expect you'll do something similar for each LR poster...

 

[DFSNOLE]

Originally posted by cmanole:
Jam, we expect you'll do something similar for each LR poster...

You got a date in mind? I'm pretty hungry.

 

[NoleandDawg]

It's good to know that Michael Jordan will get a free meal tonight or at least his hors d'oeuvres.

 

[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by cmanole:
Jam, we expect you'll do something similar for each LR poster.


When I croak I shall leave you all a Happy Meal

 

[NYCNole]

Cool move by Coach Smith.

 

[tommynole3476]

Very cool.

I wonder how many players that ended up being, just because I'm curious of that sort of thing. But I would imagine there was a fairly substantial cost in finding all of those players too, no?

 

[cmanole]

Originally posted by tommynole3476:
Very cool.

I wonder how many players that ended up being, just because I'm curious of that sort of thing. But I would imagine there was a fairly substantial cost in finding all of those players too, no?

One would have to assume that the 'lettermen' they're referring to stayed on some sort of mailing / Christmas card list maintained by one of his staff...

 

[OrlandNole]

Originally posted by tommynole3476:
Very cool.

I wonder how many players that ended up being, just because I'm curious of that sort of thing. But I would imagine there was a fairly substantial cost in finding all of those players too, no?

36 years...assume four incoming players per year

36 x 4 x $200 = $28,800

 

[tommynole3476]

Originally posted by cmanole:

Originally posted by tommynole3476:
Very cool.

I wonder how many players that ended up being, just because I'm curious of that sort of thing. But I would imagine there was a fairly substantial cost in finding all of those players too, no?

One would have to assume that the 'lettermen' they're referring to stayed on some sort of mailing / Christmas card list maintained by one of his staff...

Maybe, seems plausible, but he did retire in the 90s, so it is possible that people just got lazy and stopped updating their addresses over the years.

 

[FSU&WFU Grad]

I read it was about 180 players and UNC Athletic Department had to work to track down some of the players.
Would be about 36,000 dollars.

 

[AdNole]

Am I the only cynical one that thinks this is far less than what he gave them while they were still in school?

 

[BassinNole]

Originally posted by AdNole:
Am I the only cynical one that thinks this is far less than what he gave them while they were still in school?

yep

 

[FSU&WFU Grad]

Originally posted by AdNole:
Am I the only cynical one that thinks this is far less than what he gave them while they were still in school?

I think you must not know a lot about the type of person Coach Smith was....Coach Smith was beloved by his players for his concern and support of them.

 

[AdNole]

Originally posted by FSU&WFU Grad:

Originally posted by AdNole:
Am I the only cynical one that thinks this is far less than what he gave them while they were still in school?

I think you must not know a lot about the type of person Coach Smith was....Coach Smith was beloved by his players for his concern and support of them.

You do know that the current academic scandal at NC goes back to Smith's time there, right? Not saying he had anything to do with it and wasn't a well respected and loved coach but I think we all recognize that there has always been money, grades, benefits, etc. going on in major college sports for a long time.

 

[Manch.]

Smith would take the time to hand write letters and cards to all of his former players, staff and employees for life events, including graduating, getting married, having children...... Smith was genuine and had a sincere caring for all of his former players, employees and staff members.

You can be as cynical as you want, but Smith was everything that a coach/mentor should be. He not only coached basketball, but he also taught life. Smith was as old school as they come, he actually believed school was for education first, and I doubt he would have survived today's world of 1 and done. He would get bothered when players left early for the NBA draft, not because it hurt the team, but in most cases, the players that left early had not yet graduated.

When they put his name on the new basketball arena, he was embarrassed and did not want his name affiliated with the building.