Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

College Basketball

Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

By JOEDY McCREARY, AP Sports Writer

Jun 30, 2011

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Raleigh, N.C. — Only on Tobacco Road could this scene unfold: Dean Smith slowly walked onto the stage, his arm held by Roy Williams, and sat next to Mike Krzyzewski. A few seats down was the sister of the late women's coach Kay Yow.

Smith, Krzyzewski and Yow — three Hall of Fame college basketball coaches who have combined for more than 2,500 victories at North Carolina, Duke and North Carolina State, respectively — were honored Wednesday night on "Basketball Day" in North Carolina.

Each point of the state's Triangle was represented and celebrated during a ceremony presented by the state's sports hall of fame, with each receiving Naismith Good Sportsmanship Awards for their contributions to the game by the Naismith International Basketball Foundation.

"You can't bring those three entities together and not have it be an incredible night," Krzyzewski said.

Krzyzewski enters his 37th season as a head coach with 900 wins — two shy of matching Bob Knight for the most by a Division I men's coach. Smith retired in 1997 as the record-holder with 879 wins. Yow, who died in 2009 after a two-decade fight with cancer, won 737 games during her career.

"If anybody asked me who made ACC basketball, without a doubt, it's Coach Smith," said College of Charleston coach Bobby Cremins, a longtime rival of Smith's and Krzyzewski's from his time at Georgia Tech.

Then, he quipped: "I'm very proud of what I accomplished, and when I see what (Krzyzewski has) accomplished, I feel like a cockroach."

The 80-year-old Smith, who rarely appears publicly, didn't speak to the crowd and appeared on the stage for only about 10 minutes. Williams escorted him out and brought him to a seat between Krzyzewski and Charles Scott — the first black player in North Carolina history.

As the crowd gave Smith a standing ovation, he beamed a smile and playfully bowed toward the audience to show his appreciation.

"I feel inadequate up here," said Williams, who spoke in place of Smith. "How do you represent Coach Smith?"

Smith led North Carolina to national championships in 1982 and 1993, took the Tar Heels to 11 Final Fours, won the ACC tournament 13 times and led the U.S. to the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

"Lou Gehrig might have been the luckiest person in the world," Scott said. "But we who played for Coach Smith ... we are the luckiest people in the world."

Krzyzewski, passed Smith, his longtime rival, on the wins list in December. In more than three decades at Duke, he has taken the Blue Devils to 11 Final Fours — one shy of John Wooden's record — and won four national championships in a span of 20 years.

"What an amazing thing for us to recognize three giants in the history of the sport of college basketball," said Duke assistant coach Steve Wojciechowski, who presented Krzyzewski. "I think it's so fitting that we are talking about (not only) how much they won, but more importantly the way in which they won. All three coaches, they won with class, they won with integrity and no matter where they went ... everyone they touched wound up better for it."

Yow was remembered for her graceful fight against breast cancer, her gold medal-winning performance for the U.S. at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and the Wolfpack's inspirational postseason run in 2007. That team, fueled by Yow's return from cancer treatments, upset undefeated and No. 1 Duke to reach the ACC championship game and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.

"I'm still dealing with the fact that she isn't here," said her sister, N.C. State athletic director Debbie Yow. "She would be so proud ... (because) winning the right way did matter to Kay."

A moment of silence was held for former N.C. State men's player Lorenzo Charles. The hero of the Wolfpack's improbable run to the 1983 national championship was killed earlier this week in a bus accident.

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RE: Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

This should be a great story to speak about but AS USUAL there are some TARHOLES on here blabbing on about how Coach K curses!!! All 3 of these immortals are special and I guarantee that Dean used a curse word or 2 back in the day and lord knows he "OWNED" the refs!!!! Espcially Lenny Wirtz!!!!! But if it makes you CERTAIN tarholes happy to say what you say then more power to you!!! I personally think it is awesome that Dean ,Kay & K are all honored for their coaching and leadership over the years!!!! Just remeber tarholes, K=4 & Dean=2!!!!( NCAA TITLES THAT IS)!!!!!!!!!!!!! 900 wins and counting, 13 ACC tourney Titles, 11 Final Fours,5 straight Final Fours(88,89,90,91,92), 7 in 9 years(86,88,89,90,91,92,94) & 9 in 15 years. ONLY ACC coach to win back-to-back NCAA Titles!!! See I wouldn't have even gone into the numbers but you CERTAIN tarholes just had to blab off at the spout!!!
GO DUKE GO!!!
Congrats again, Dean, Kay & K!!!!!!!!!!! You all are special!!!!!

RE: Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

I am a Duke grad. Coach K started when I was a senior. I rooted for Russia when they played UNC. With age comes wisdom. Dean is a great coach. No argument. So sorry he appears to have dementia. All three coaches epitomize the winning ethos. Too bad the ACC doesn't have more like these fine coaches. We should be proud they coach/coached in the ACC.
Let's go Duke!

RE: Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

I guess we bloggers could really learn a lesson from their behaviour last night! Was proud to be a NC - ACC fan last night for sure!
- Posted by redistrumps

Agreed, Bev. If the coaches and players can "play nice", we should be able to as well.

RE: Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

Well I had the opportunity to go so I did with my lovely wife. Walked in and it was a who's who in ACC Basketball gallery. I got to speak to Bobby Cremins which was cool since I know Daryl Robinson who played for him at App. St. Cremins gave the keynote and roasted K a bit. It was great and funny. K got him back pretty good at the end. Cremins talked about how him, V, and K came in together and how they used to have coaches meetings and Dean would show up 1 minute late just to make them wait. There was a moment of silence for Lorenzo Charles. It was a great tribute to Yow with Corchiani, Burleson and Thompson there. Debbie did the acceptance for Kay. Charles (what Dean called him) Scott and Roy did a nice job for Dean. The place went crazy when Dean came on the stage and motioned to the crowd to stop cheering. Wojo introduced K and then K did his own acceptance. K had some great words to say about Dean. What a great evening, just so much class from everyone.

It was mentioned the new home for the Naismith Foundation is going to be here in Raleigh. Both Roy and K looked at Ian and said it was a long time coming but welcome home and that the foundation was were it belonged. I guess this has been in the works but there is no mention of it in the nights presser.
- Posted by GhostofSmitty

Well, smithy, you are one lucky SO B!(censors). Man, talk about a fantasy for someone who loves college ball. I bet you'll remember last night for the rest of your life. What a wonderful tribute to three deserving coaches, and I'm glad you got to attend. Does your wife share your enthusiasm for college ball?
- Posted by jgunn
Yes, worst than me in some ways. Try to talk to her during a Tar Heel game and you might get "smacked". Baseball, football, she is a bit of a junkie. She watched the CWS with me and even asked me on Tuesday what time the 2nd game started so she would not miss it.

I do believe in the mature days of these coaches they all like each other alot. Roy and K sat beside each other last night and there were alot of whispers and elbows, they were having a good time. Hey, they are off the charts competitive people so I am sure the heat of the moment is what it is, a moment. Considering what the media writes and some of the crazy fans you would imagine skin like a rhino.
- Posted by GhostofSmitty

Well, smitty, you must have a very happy marriage. I think it's great that your wife shares your love of sports. Imagine if you cheered for different teams! Luckily, that's not the case.

RE: Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith

I thank all three coaches for making the ACC the greatest basketball conference in America today.

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