NORTH CAROLINA — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will celebrate the life of Dean Smith during a public memorial at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Dean E. Smith Center.
More details will come at a later date, the school said in a release Monday. The public, fans and all who cared about Smith are invited to attend the event.
The family will hold a private church service on Thursday morning. UNC asks the public to respect the family’s wishes regarding Thursday’s private church service, as space will be limited.
“We are comforted by the countless gestures and words from people near and far offering their condolences,” the Smith family said in a statement issued Monday. “Although we are unable to respond to each individual, we deeply appreciate everyone reaching out to share how Coach Smith touched their lives. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever.”
Flags were at half-staff across North Carolina Monday to honor longtime, legendary UNC Coach Dean Smith. The former Tar Heels basketball coach died Saturday night at the age of 83.
Fans, students, players and friends are mourning his passing. Channel 9 spoke with two men who played under Smith about how they remember him on and off the court.
David Chadwick, pastor at Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, leads thousands every Sunday during services. It is leadership he learned playing for Smith in the 70s.
"He taught me to live with character. He lived it in the same way publicly and privately," Chadwick said.
Chadwick said Smith was guided by principles and faith, putting players' focus on the team. Smith urged players to point at teammates who assisted them on a score, and starting the team huddle at the foul line. Something commonplace that started in Chapel Hill.
"He taught me the team is more important than the player, more important to serve others than to be served," Chadwick said.
Former Charlotte mayor and prominent attorney Richard Vinroot was also coached by Smith in the 60s.
"There isn't any doubt. My life was shaped by my parents and mentors, and I had no bigger mentor than coach Dean Smith," Vinroot said.
While coaches can win games, not all of them leave a lasting effect on their players. Chadwick said Smith graduated 96 percent of his players, proof their education was just as important as winning the game.