Dean Smith
Associated Building(s): Smith Student Activities Center;
Other Relationships: Basketball Coach
Birthplace: Emporia, Kansas
Lifespan: 1931-02-28/2015-02-07
Race: White
Sex: Male
Relationship(s) to University: Coach or Athletic Director
Era(s): 20th Century Modernization, 21st Century
Involvement(s): Civil Rights
Narrative: http://unchistory.web.unc.edu/building-narratives/dean-e-smith-center/
More info: https://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/show/names/dean-smith-center
Latitude/Longitude: 38.412189, -96.198778
Legendary former UNC basketball coach Dean Smith (1931-2015) gives his name to the Dean E. Smith Center, home of the Tar Heel mens basketball team. Smith coached UNCs basketball team for 36 years, winning 2 NCAA championships, and directing numbers of legendary players. Smith desegregated the team in 1966 with the recruitment of Charlie Scott, and he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 for his efforts for racial equality. The Smith Center was completed in 1986 to meet the need for a larger arena, but amidst controversy over such a large athletics project.