Even across one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports, respect for the legends is something that can’t be taken away. Remember now, athletes, coaches, and staff all understand what it takes to play or coach at the highest level.
Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski recently offered important remarks on the future of the Dean E. Smith Center for UNC, stating that any discussion surrounding the iconic building must begin and end with honoring the legacy of Smith, showing a level of respect between the two.
“I would listen to Roy, who understood Dean the best,” Coach K said, per Tar Heels Wire. “And if, per chance, they do move something, they better name it the Smith Center. Dean was one of the greatest of all time. He not only produced outstanding teams and players, but he also produced outstanding men. And Roy did the same thing.”
While Duke won’t be directly impacted by this, I love that Coach K is sticking up for his former rival. He had many battles against Duke, especially coach Roy Williams, so it’s nice to see, and hopefully, Williams would do the same if he were in a position to do it.
“I’m very much in favor of staying here in the Smith Center,” Williams said, per ChapelBoro. “Remodeling, renovating, whatever we need to do. I do not want to go off campus. “I was Coach Smith’s assistant for ten years. We had many discussions about basketball, about life, about the golf course, everything. But I do know, during the conversation about what to get out of this building… that Coach Smith wanted this place on campus. That was his wish. There was no question. And he even told me one day that after he was dead and gone, it was up to me to fight to keep it on campus.”
Smith’s impact was clearly big enough for Coach K to have these remarks, as the two competed against each other plenty in one of the biggest rivalries in sports history.
College athletics continues to change, driven by money, facilities, and anything that can put some dollars in pockets. However, we need to take a step back and understand that certain things don’t need to be ruined, maybe just changed. This is one of them, and I think even Duke fans understand that.