On the recordFebruary 12, 2015
On February 7, the State of North Carolina lost a legend both on and off the court when former University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith passed away. During his 36-year tenure as head coach, Smith led the Tar Heels to 879 wins and 13 ACC tournament championships. His teams reached the Final Four 11 times and won two national titles. He also coached the U.S. men's basketball team to an Olympic Gold Medal in 1976. But Smith was more than just a college basketball icon. He was a deeply religious man who placed a strong emphasis on education. More than 96 percent of his players received their degrees. An unwavering supporter of civil rights, he recruited the first Black scholarship athlete at UNC. While he never sought accolades for his actions, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the Nation's highest civilian honor, in 2013. Coach Smith was a remarkable man, and North Carolina was lucky to call him one of our own. ____________________
