Retired Dean Smith Saluted As Si’s Sportsman Of Year

Dean Smith, who had more victories than any other college basketball coach when he retired in October, was honored Tuesday as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.

The ceremony took place at the basketball arena that bears his name.

“Any honor for a coach is really an honor for all the people who have played and worked with him,” Smith said. “That’s obviously the case here, and I want to share this award with them.”

Smith, who won 879 games in 36 years at North Carolina, was the fifth coach honored by the magazine.

Sports Illustrated managing editor Bill Colson presented Smith with a replica of an ancient Grecian amphora.

Other leading contenders were Evander Holyfield, Jeff Gordon and Michael Jordan.

Smith’s won-loss record of 879-254, 65 NCAA tournament victories and 96.6 player graduation rate were cited as his major accomplishments.