The Dean Still Lives On

Coaches and teachers touch many lives while they are alive. We remember the extra care and time that these dedicated people have given to us and of course to all their students and athletes. As time goes by, it gets tougher and tougher to remember the young faces and names that we have come in contact with. Believe me, they live in our memories and heart, but now after Dean Smith passed away he still gives back when he is gone and Dean Smith still lives on.

In Dean Smith's will, he still want to give back to his former players, and that was to have dinner on him. Dean Smith left money, $200.00, in his will to every University of North Carolina letterman that played under him.  Smith coached basketball at UNC from 1961-97. That is 36 years of touching so many lives.

So, how many former players did Dean Smith coach at North Carolina? About 175, according to the UNC basketball PR department, meaning approximately $35,000 of Dean Smith's will went to players he personally coached. Yes as coaches and teachers, we touch so many lives, but those lives touch us every minute of every day, and Coach Smith wanted his players to know that made a difference in his life, in my opinion.

Once again, a coach teaches life’s lessons. This is a great example of one of those lessons.  It is better to receive a gift then to take a gift. Dean Smith was given a lot of gifts in his athletes who played for him over his career, but he always knew how to give to his players. The Dean still lives on.