UNC’s Ron Smith Chronicles Tar Heels’ Rich Basketball History Amid Personal Loss
Chapel Hill, NC – When Ron Smith first entered the hallowed halls of UNC’s Wilson Library in 2005, he wasn’t in search of a legacy; he sought a distraction from the bitter reality of his wife’s battle with cancer at Duke Hospital. Yet, what began as a simple escape turned into a compelling journey that would revive the history of Carolina basketball and pay homage to the transformative power of passion and perseverance.
Faced with the challenges of loss, Smith rediscovered his love for the Tar Heels, a passion ignited when he attended a game as a child and met his idol, head coach Dean Smith. Captured in a photograph from that night, the memory serves as a poignant reminder of how early experiences can shape one’s life. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This divine assurance echoes through Smith’s endeavor to revive the history of a beloved basketball program.
His journey through the archives revealed discrepancies between newspaper records and UNC’s official basketball history—a detail that ignited his curiosity. "I just said, ‘I don’t mean to sound presumptuous… but I’m finding guys who were listed as lettermen in 1911 or 1912 I can’t find in any box score,’” Smith recalls. Encouraged by UNC’s basketball historian, Smith began a massive research project that led him back to the origins of the game itself, and he immersed himself in a study that intertwined grief with the legacy of his beloved team.
Not only did Smith uncover the birth of Carolina basketball, but he also found inspiration in a book about the Rolling Stones. This sparked the idea for his own multi-volume history of UNC basketball. His late wife’s encouragement to pursue this project transformed it into a "grief project," helping him navigate his sorrow while honoring the legacy of the sport he loved.
To date, Smith has published two volumes of “The Tar Heels,” which chronicle the program’s history from its inception in 1891 through the Dean Smith era. His meticulous research has allowed him to include previously unpublished photographs and captures the essence of a program that is deeply woven into the fabric of North Carolina.
Reflecting on his journey, Smith emphasizes the importance of connection, both to his past and to the community that surrounds the Tar Heels. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Smith’s project embodies this principle, embracing community support and shared memories to create something greater than himself.
The heartwarming narrative serves as a profound reminder that even in the face of adversity, our passions can become a source of healing and connection. As Smith prepares to extend the history into the present day, he invites us all to embrace our passions and honor those we have lost by sharing their stories, turning grief into a lasting legacy.
As Smith’s journey unfolds, consider how your passions might connect to the greater narrative of hope and love. In moments of struggle, remember the words of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Let Smith’s story inspire you to reflect on your own journey—how might you transform challenges into opportunities for growth, connection, and remembrance? Embrace the wisdom in your experiences and, like Ron Smith, share them to inspire others.
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