Coach Dean Smith with Michael Jordan: Photo by David T. Foster III, courtesy of the Charlotte Observer

Tuesday evening, basketball great Michael Jordan, got a long overdue recognition: induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.  Among the scope of awards Jordan has earned, this hardly ranks among the top, but it was made so special for the fans.  He shared his walk to center court of the Charlotte Bobcats arena with his coach and mentor, Dean Smith.

This story really isn’t about Jordan.  He’s a household name in virtually every nation on earth.  Starting in his days at this blogger’s rival high school, Laney in Wilmington, NC,   Jordan began to fly. KCC’s predecessors at New Bern (NC) High, had to “put up with him” until he graduated and moved on to UNC. As a player, each time this blogger visited Laney, she  paid homage to their “shrine” to Jordan.  Number 23 is still encased there, today.

However, this story is about his mentor, Smith.  Sadly the basketball legend, is enduring the long goodbye due to a progressive neurocognitive disorder which has lead to significant memory loss.    Thus, it was with great surprise that your blogger read that he and Jordan escorted one another to the center of the basketball court in Charlotte during the awards ceremony.

As a lifelong fan and former player of the game, KCC has always loved and respected Smith’s vision and talent.  He was coached at Kansas by the legendary Phog Allen, who in turn was coached by the inventor of the game, James Naismith.  In short, Coach Smith has credentials.

During your blogger’s high school years (1981-1985), she used to slip out of  Garber Methodist Church about 15 minutes early.  ”The Dean Smith Show“ started at 12:00 sharp in those days before VCRs were affordable.  This devotee didn’t want to miss a single minute of whatever wisdom he chose to share.  Sure, NC State’s Jim Valvano had the personality, but Smith was the MASTER!

That earned him the title, in KCC’s family, the Reverend.  In retrospect, your blogger is sure he would have disliked the moniker, but because of his basketball knowledge and his success, it stuck, at least amongst the family.

At Jordan’s induction, it was a true thrill to see the “Rev. Smith” again on television and in the newspaper, as KCC understands that travel is especially hard for him.

KCC isn’t the hard core Tar Heel fan that she once was, but she still enjoys watching them play, win or lose.  Thank you for the memories, Coach Smith. Thank you for the lessons in life.

Thank you most for saying “thank you” when this blogger asked YOU for an autograph.  What a gentleman.

Editor’s note:  Sure, Dean Smith doesn’t share this blogger’s political views, but he taught us about sportsmanship, character, and faith.  That transcends boundaries of politics and his coaching skills are certainly missed.  God bless you!  Thanks for the memories.

Comments are closed.