University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Memorable Night For Williams
September 8, 2007 | Men's Basketball
Sept. 8, 2007
By Adam Lucas
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--A lot of memorable things happened to Roy Williams this weekend. But the one that might stick the longest wasn't captured on the television broadcast.
He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. That's a keeper. He was walked to the podium by Dean Smith and Larry Brown, two of his mentors in the profession. Throughout the weekend, he was accompanied by Buddy Baldwin, his high school coach and the man he called "the most influential male in my life." Baldwin was at Williams's side Friday afternoon when the Carolina head coach left the press conference announcing him as a member of the Hall's class of 2007.
And where does a Hall of Famer go to celebrate this monumental achievement? This particular Hall of Famer went to McDonald's. He wanted a milkshake. It seems all his Hall-related milestones are celebrated with a milkshake.
Just a guess, but I do not think Phil Jackson celebrated with a milkshake.
So the milkshake was memorable. So, too, was walking to the third floor of the Hall and seeing the official Roy Williams exhibit for the first time. "Well, at least I'm not yelling at an official," he said when he saw the photo on display.
He had an enormous group of friends and former players on hand. A previous inductee, one who coached within easy driving distance of Springfield, brought 12 former players. That was considered a sizable group.
Williams brought 22. And that's not counting people like Jeff Lebo, Mitch Kupchak, Eddie Fogler, or Tom Kearns, members of the Carolina family who didn't play for Williams as a head coach. The Williams posse was so large that it easily filled two Greyhound-type buses on the way back from the Hall to the hotel.
Eventually, he'll have a scrapbook with well wishes and photos from everyone in attendance for the weekend. He'll also have a sizable trophy and the official HOF ring to remind him.
Knowing Williams, though, it's none of those things that made the biggest impression this weekend. Remember, this is the same coach who is so fond of recounting his gigantic hug from "that sweaty old rascal," Sean May, at the conclusion of the 2005 title game as one of his career highlights.
So the trophies and rings and trinkets are nice. But what Williams will remember, what will probably make him smile before he falls asleep late on Friday night, is a brief moment with Wayne Simien an hour before the ceremony began.
Simien, a 6-9 native of Leavenworth, Kansas, had just finished his sophomore season in 2003 when Williams left Lawrence for Chapel Hill. Simien had committed to Kansas almost before he entered high school. He loved the Jayhawks and loved that his coach loved them. So it stung when Williams left, and Simien--who had suffered a shoulder injury that limited him to 16 games as a sophomore--issued perhaps the most-quoted line that came from a current Jayhawk during the transition: "I gave my right arm for that man."
That stung. But four years later, there was Simien walking in the door at the Basketball Hall of Fame on induction night. He spotted his coach and they hugged. It was a nice moment.
Then they stepped back, considered the circumstances, and embraced again. This one was a bear hug, an "I've missed you," and "Thank you" and maybe even "I love you" all wrapped into a few seconds. And yes, since you know Williams, you know there were some tears.
He never broke down on stage, not the way some of his friends and players thought he might. He managed to turn the one night that was supposed to be all about him into a gigantic thank-you session. And he also found time to find the perfect words to address his family--especially his children.
"Scott and Kimberly," he said, addressing his son and daughter, "now you are my heroes. I love you, I adore you, and I hope you feel that love every time you see me or hear me or hear my name."
Anyone who has children knows those words are exactly right. It's fear and love and hope all wrapped into a neat two-sentence summary. It's what every parent wants, whether they can admit it or not. Watching his kids beam back at him from the first row, it's obvious the feeling is mutual.
He's got impeccable credentials, the respect of his profession, and the love of his family. What else does a man need?
Maybe he's already given us the answer. He was perusing the artifacts in his display and noted a game ball and a replica of his 2005 championship ring.
He looked up. "Hopefully," he said, "we can get some more."
Roy Williams--check that, Hall of Famer Roy Williams--has had his moment. He's had the spotlight, which he didn't especially enjoy. He's had, most importantly, a timeless hug. He's had the highest honor in his profession. And here's what he's likely to think when he wakes up Saturday morning:
The 2007-08 season begins in 34 days.
Adam Lucas most recently collaborated on a behind-the-scenes look at Carolina Basketball with Wes Miller. The Road To Blue Heaven will be released on September 1. Lucas's other books on Carolina basketball include The Best Game Ever, which chronicles the 1957 national championship season, Going Home Again, which focuses on Roy Williams's return to Carolina, and Led By Their Dreams, a collaboration with Steve Kirschner and Matt Bowers on the 2005 championship team.
