Roy Williams is always looking for ways to get money for the University and worthy charities. As Roy half-jokingly told long-time radio announcer Woody Durham, “If Chancellor Thorp calls and wants an autographed basketball, Chancellor Thorp is going to pay $175 for it.” In fact, Roy has been in charge of an autographed basketball program that has contributed more than $500,000 to local charities. Plus, he hosts an annual Coaches vs. Cancer breakfast that has raised more than $750,000 for the American Cancer Society.
His success on and off the court comes down to passion, says Woody Durham. “It’s amazing the passion the man has for everything he does,” says Woody, who teared up talking about Roy Williams. Woody added, “I get passionate talking about him because he has meant so much to this place, not only as a basketball coach but he’s meant so much to this place for who he is.”
Yes, he is the winningest active college basketball coach percentage-wise but his former players and former teammates on the 1968-69 UNC freshmen team think of him as a loyal friend and even a member of their family.
He treats his players like human beings, not just basketball players, says former Carolina teammate Bill Chamberlain. “He’s concerned with their social life and spiritual foundation,” Chamberlain says, adding “He is insistent upon class performance, being a good person off the court, being a part of the community, and taking part in all kinds of service projects.” Indeed, he teaches his players about campus life and other things not related to basketball.
Roy Williams is perhaps the biggest supporter of other sports at Carolina. He says he’s always honored when people think it’s “neat” – his word – that he’s there. But he is there to watch them, not to be watched - whether it’s field hockey or soccer or baseball or volleyball or football. It’s something he truly loves. He even drove to Winston-Salem for a field hockey championship game the morning after Carolina played a road game.
He also went on a recruiting trip the day after returning from his first national championship title in 2005. Former Coach Dean Smith told Woody Durham something that Woody believes is the greatest compliment Coach Smith has ever given another coach. He said, “Roy Williams is the hardest working basketball coach I know about.” Woody told Coach Smith that he worked pretty hard himself. He shook his head and said, “not as hard as Roy.” Talk about the ultimate compliment.
Much of that hard work, passion, competitiveness and dedication comes from Roy Williams’ love for UNC. He says, “My love for this University grew every day that I was here as a student; my love for this university grew every day I was here as an assistant coach. I left for 15 years to be the head coach at Kansas but I never lost that love for the University of North Carolina. My feelings get stronger every year the more that I’m a part of it.”
Let’s be frank - some UNC alums felt Roy had betrayed Carolina by not accepting the Tar Heel coaching job the first time it came open in 2000. Even after accepting the head coaching job in 2003, Roy said he wasn’t sure he could ever repair the damage from turning down the job in 2000.
Well, the 2005 and 2009 national championships certainly helped repair any damage but today, after receiving the ultimate alumni honor – the Distinguished Service Medal – Coach, you can be assured that bygones are bygones.
We are proud of your contributions not only to the basketball program but to the community, the students, the University of North Carolina and indeed our entire Carolina family.
- Speech written by Clifton Barnes |