Page 10 University Daily Kansan, November 18. 1983
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Dean Smith remembers KU's NCAA title
By JANELLE MARTIN Sports Writer
In March 1952 the Kansas basketball team, coached by F. C. "Pho" Allen, blew St. John's University off the court and won its first—and only—NCAA title
But one member of that championship team has returned to the Final Four 7 times as the winningest coach in college basketball history.
The man is Dean Edwards Smith.
Smith lettered on KU's basketball team in 1952 and 1953 as a point guard.
"I was the 11th man to letter on a 16-man team," Smith said jokingly from his office in Chapel Hill, N.C., last week.
"I REMEMBER coming back from Seattle the next evening," he said. And literally thousands of people were invited down the streets to welcome us back.
"we rode the fire truck through town
night. That was an interesting
“upcoming” event."
He said there was an interest shown
in athletic teams then by professors
like, just as he assumed
there was now.
Another player on the 32 team, All-American Clyde Lovelette, was the first KU player to be named outstand- ing former of the NCAA tourn-
The following year the Jayhawks advanced to the finals of the NCAA tournament in Kansas City, Mo., where they narrowly missed repeating as national champions when they were defeated by Indiana. 69-68.
Smith said he also remembered going to the Dine-A-Mite Im and the Stables
THE DINE-A-MITE Inn, operated by Roy Borgen in the 1950s, was at the intersection of 23rd and Louisiana streets. The Stables, another famed KU nightcap, is now the Sanctuary, a private club at 1401 W. Seventh St.
Besides remembering the favorite nightspots in Lawrence, Smith said he
remembered his relationship with
memorable teams and his
commitment to Phi Gamma
delta.
Smith competed on the football, baseball and basketball teams while at KU. He lettered as a catcher on the baseball team.
"I surely enjoyed my experience at KU," he said. "Everyone appeared problem-free, although I am sure they weren't."
Smith graduated with an education degree in 1963 but stayed fifth year at KAIB.
He then went to the Air Force Academy and was an assistant coach there also before settling in Chapel Hill, N.C. in 1958. He was an assistant coach for three years and took over the head coaching job in 1961.
ABOUT THE TIME Smith was assuming his duties at UNC. Ted Owens came to KU as a basketball assistant. Although Smith is still coaching, Owens
And when Owens was fired last March, many KU faithful thought Smith's ties with KU might have brought him to build a dynasty at
But Smith chuckled when asked whether he was tempted to take the job and said his only comment was that he was happy that he had been considered.
KII
"I still have a loyalty to KU," Smith said. "I'm also starting my 26th year here at North Carolina. It is my home now. I would have a hard time ever leaving my team and the people I have recruited."
He also said KU had a fine new coach in Larry Brown, a captain on Smith's team.
"LARRY WILL DO an outstanding job for KU I will sure," he said.
Smith said he still kept in touch with several KU alums and teachers at the University, and visited Kansas when possible.
"My folks still live in Topeka," he said. "So I'm still sentimental toward KU, especially when I see the tops of the buildings in the skyline on the drive airport in Kansas City to Topeka. It always brings back good memories."
Smith's athletic career has been full of memories.
His teams at UNC have advanced to the Final Four many times, but did not win the coveted title as a head coach until 1982, when the Tar Heels defeated Georgetown University for the championship.
"We have been to the final four many times, and each time is special." Smith said. "Of course winning the regional championship will be a thrill for any coaching staff."
He said the difference between playing on a team that won the national title and coaching a team to the title, those being years apart, was significant.
“As as coach, you have all the press conferences to go. To there is more interest in college ball now,” he said. “I just remember having a good time.”
Smith as a Jayhawk in 1952
Dean Smith, a 1953 KU graduate, is pictured at left during his first year as the head basketball coach at North Carolina and at right after 20
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