A Leader’s Last Gift
Earlier this year, Dean Smith – former basketball coach at North Carolina – died. He was just short of his 84th birthday.
Smith had suffered from dementia prior to his death. Regardless, in his will Smith still remembered his former players.
Smith’s will directed the executor of his estate to send a check – in the amount of $200 – to each player who’d lettered for him during his career. Approximately 180 players had done that during Smith’s coaching career.
The ostensible purpose of the gift? So that his former players could “enjoy a dinner out compliments of Coach Dean Smith.”
Nice indeed. But maybe you’re wondering, “Why is this here at TAH?”
Yeah, you guessed it: Smith was a veteran – and a former officer. At the University of Kansas he was a member of Air Force ROTC. After receiving his degree he was commissioned. He served in Germany during the 1950s as a Lieutenant, and also coached at the Air Force Academy.
Good leaders know that their success depends on their people; they take care of their subordinates. I’m guessing Dean Smith learned that while in the military. It also looks like he never forgot it, in spite of his dementia.
Very classy, Mr. Smith. Rest in peace.
Category: Air Force, Blue Skies
Great post Hondo. Dean Smith was a class act.
I agree with both of your statements, Gunz.
Met him myself. Great, humble and a gentleman. Saw him coach many times in games at home, at Duke and around the Old North State. He is missed.
A real class act Dean was. I am proud to be a Tar Heel and a Graduate of UNC. A former College Basketball referee told me he never met anyone like him in college basketball. He also said, “If Dean scolded me about a play, I usually knew I screwed up.”
Coach Smith was indeed know for his class; even an NC State alumnus like myself knows that.