University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Celebration Event Promises Chills
January 20, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Jan. 20, 2010
By Adam Lucas
With over 50 former Tar Heel players returning for the Feb. 12 Celebration of a Century event at the Smith Center, it's reasonable to assume there are some covert workouts going on around the country. Maybe even a few midnight jogging sessions or secret appointments at the gym?
"Secret?" said Serge Zwikker, one of the players committed to playing in the game. "What are you talking about? I'm running every day. No one wants to look bad in a game like this. We're not as young as we used to be, but we're not old, either."
Zwikker--who says he hopes he can nail at least one of his trademark baseline jumpers--isn't old. Some of the game's other participants, though, definitely have a little more experience. Bobby Gersten (class of 1942) will play, as will classmate Julian Smith. Tuffy Henderson (class of '55) is also on the roster. Four of the five starters from the 1993 title team will play, with his cohorts still trying to persuade Derrick Phelps to reunite the quintet. Ronald Curry and Dante Calabria are the latest roster additions to a group that also includes Jim Delany, Dick Grubar, both of the Scott Williamses who played for the Tar Heels and many more.
Players will be sorted loosely by age to ensure Julian Smith doesn't have to defend Ranzino Smith, or that Brad Hoffman isn't checking Max Owens. Most are approaching the evening with good humor. "I've already told (former teammate and fellow game participant) Jeff Denny that I can't be responsible for my performance," said J.R. Reid, who would not commit to bringing back the famous flat-top for the game. "I'm in good shape, but I haven't picked up a basketball in a few years. Between now and then I'm going to get some shots up so I don't embarrass myself."
The on-court festivities are only part of the schedule for the evening, which begins at 8 p.m. (less than 1,000 tickets remain). Much like the wildly successful NBA alumni game in September, the moments when the ball stops bouncing could be even more memorable than what happens on the hardwood. With hundreds of lettermen expected to return for the next day's halftime ceremony celebrating the first century of Carolina basketball--plus a lettermen-only banquet that evening--even former players not playing in the game will be involved in Celebration of a Century.
During breaks, Woody Durham will interview a selection of former players and coaches about great moments and games in Tar Heel history. The extended timeouts will also include newly created video presentations utilizing archival footage.
And like any quality show, there will be a grand finale. At the conclusion of the game, players, coaches and fans will participate in a chillbump-inducing recognition of Dean Smith.
"It's going to be tremendous," Reid said. "It's a chance to see Coach Smith and all our old teammates. All of us went to Carolina knowing we would never be bigger than the program. We went there because we wanted to win. That's a tribute to Coach Smith and the way he prepared us for life."
Zwikker memorably chased down the game ball after Smith's 877th win, a victory that broke Adolph Rupp's all-time wins mark in 1997. "We need that ball to present it to Coach Smith," a security guard told Zwikker. "Don't worry about it," Zwikker said as he wrestled it away. "We'll take care of presenting it to him in the locker room."
"Coach Smith has done so much for all of us," Zwikker says now. "He's definitely a father figure, not just for me but for everyone who came through the program."
Zwikker is a father himself now, a dad to an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old. They're only beginning to gain an understanding of why strangers shout "Serge!" whenever their dad is spotted.
"Being a dad now and having two kids, life flies by compared to back in the day," Zwikker said. "I've been thinking about what it's going to be like to walk through the tunnel one more time. I never thought I would get the chance to do that again. It's going to be a fantastic night."
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly. He is also the author or co-author of five books on Carolina basketball, including the just-released book on the 2009 national title, One Fantastic Ride. Get real-time UNC sports updates from the THM staff on Twitter.
