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University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: History Lives Tonight
February 12, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Feb. 12, 2010
By Adam Lucas
Part of the anticipation for Friday night's Celebration of a Century at the Smith Center (8 p.m., tickets are sold out but online video will be available here and WCHL will be carrying the night's events live on the radio) is the fact that no one is quite sure what to expect. It's an old-timers game, yes, but promotions for the event have frequently suggested that the evening will be "more than an old-timers game."
What does that mean? It means ticketholders will be treated to a one-of-a-kind night of Carolina Basketball. The script for September's pro alumni game was simple: take the current Tar Heel pros, turn them loose on the same court together, and watch the high-flying dunks roll in.
There are unlikely to be any dunks--heck, there may not be any jumps--when the first old-timers segment begins on Friday. The first grouping, which will be played halfcourt 3-on-3, includes the youngster of the sextet, Buddy Clark...who graduated in 1955. Two players on the floor in that exhibition, Bobby Gersten and Julian Smith, began their Tar Heel careers before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
There will also be more modern players. Fans can relive the 1970s glory days with Phil Ford, Bobby Jones and Walter Davis. Four members of the 1993 starting five will play, as will 2005 national champion Melvin Scott. In all, approximately 70 former Tar Heel players will participate.
The time ordinarily allotted for television timeouts will be devoted to special videos and interviews highlighting Tar Heel basketball history. Woody Durham will host most of the interviews, which will provide first-person accounts of some of the key Carolina moments. Six different exclusive new videos will be presented exclusively at Celebration of a Century.
The night's crowning moments are expected to come at halftime, with a special recognition for Dean Smith, and after the game, with a once-in-a-lifetime grand finale to the evening.
"It's a thrill for me to be the basketball coach at North Carolina," said Roy Williams, who watched with his month-old grandson sleeping on his shoulder as final preparations were made Thursday afternoon on the floor of the Smith Center. "This weekend will be an unbelievable thrill to see the activities and know that I'm a small, small part of it. This is North Carolina basketball, a celebration of 100 years and it's the neatest thing I can possibly think about."
Briefly: Part of what will be celebrated Friday night will be the family nature of Carolina basketball. The Tar Heels' recent struggles have highlighted that familial feeling. Carolina's head coach has fielded calls from a host of alums, including Mike O'Koren, George Karl, Billy Cunningham, Buzz Peterson and Jeff Lebo. "I've gotten a lot of calls," Williams said. "It really is a family."...Fans in attendance will receive a pair of free gifts...Festivities continue Saturday with a pregame ceremony honoring the jerseys of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington and a halftime recognition of all lettermen in attendance...
The definitive book chronicling Carolina's first 100 seasons is now available for pre-order. A Century of Excellence features exclusive interviews with over 100 Tar Heel basketball lettermen, a foreword by Dean Smith and an epilogue by Roy Williams. More than just a history book, the coffee table-worthy volume includes a chapter on the meaning of the Carolina family, first-person accounts from key figures in Tar Heel history and much more...Although the sting of this season is evident, Williams retains a good perspective on the meaning of this weekend. "Carolina Basketball is more than just one person," he said. "People are jealous of it and try to break it down but it really is a family. I'm extremely flattered to be involved."...Stay with TarHeelBlue.com throughout the weekend for coverage of the 100 years celebration, with photos and stories that include a look inside Saturday night's invitation-only banquet.
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.
