The future of the Dean Smith Center has become one of the biggest topics surrounding North Carolina basketball recently. As discussions continue over whether the arena should be replaced or relocated, former legends of the program are starting to voice their opinions.
Former players, coaches and program legends are voicing strongly against the idea of moving the Smith Center off campus, arguing that the building’s location and history are a big part of what makes North Carolina basketball.
One of the most vocal supporters of renovation rather than relocation is Tyler Hansbrough, who is one of the best players in UNC history.
“It’s very important that we keep the Smith Center right here on campus and push for renovations so many other Tar Heels can have the experience that we had here in the future,” Hansbrough said, per Tar Heels Wire.
Former head coach Roy Williams, who made it clear that the idea of leaving the Smith Center behind doesn’t sit well with him, also had a lot to say about the situation.
“I’m very much in favor of staying here in the Smith Center,” Williams said. “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.”
In the heart of campus, it allows students to walk to games and brings a different atmosphere that most other programs in the country don’t have. It’s simply a historical building with plenty of good inside of it.
Does that mean it can’t improve at all? Of course not, but UNC doesn’t need to take it down and move it somewhere else. All it has to do is change things up inside and make it look nicer than it does at the moment.