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big_dog

(4,144 posts)
Thu Mar 6, 2014, 02:45 PM Mar 2014

Dementia Taking Its Toll on Dean Smith (sad)


Does he remember the numbers: 879 wins as UNC's head coach, 13 ACC tournament championships, 11 Final Fours, two national titles, an Olympic gold medal-winning team? Does he remember the moments: Michael Jordan's jumper to beat Georgetown; Michigan's Chris Webber calling a timeout he didn't have; those heartbroken students pressed against the windows when he announced his retirement in 1997? Does he remember the players: Jordan and James Worthy and Sam Perkins and Brad Daugherty and Kenny Smith and Bob McAdoo and Phil Ford and Walter Davis and Bobby Jones and Larry Brown? Does he remember coming back from eight down with 17 seconds left against Duke?

Does he remember Duke? They make sure the house is full of music. The satellite radio is tuned to the big-band and jazz stations. Linnea has a stash of videos of old variety shows with Sinatra and Dean Martin. One time a couple of the kids came by with an iPod and stuck the earbuds in his ears. He grinned and belted "Satin Doll" while they wheeled him around outside. Linnea brought in a concert harpist. A music therapist got Dean singing the old Wilbert Harrison number "Kansas City." Dean spent part of his childhood in Topeka, so they changed the lyrics: I'm goin' to Topeka, Kansas / Topeka, Kansas here I come. He rarely sings now. But music still seems to be the best connection. So they keep trying to connect. It's a simple routine most weeks: office, church, exercise, home. Dean and Linnea live on a quiet wooded lot just outside town. Nothing says a basketball coach lives here. Dean didn't keep much memorabilia, and he gave most of it to the university after he retired. The paintings in the living room are landscapes. The books are theology and philosophy. The back deck looks down a slope to a creek. Dean used to grill steaks out on the deck for the parents of recruits. Linnea marveled at how he got them just the right doneness and always remembered who wanted what. http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/10545949/precious-memories-dean-smith-story
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Dementia Taking Its Toll on Dean Smith (sad) (Original Post) big_dog Mar 2014 OP
Thanks for posting this. russspeakeasy Mar 2014 #1
Horrible get the red out Mar 2014 #2
A little candle for this, and all Alzheimers victims Sarah Ibarruri Mar 2014 #3

get the red out

(13,459 posts)
2. Horrible
Thu Mar 6, 2014, 03:34 PM
Mar 2014

My Grandmother faded away for so many years before she passed. This is so sad. I'm a damn Kentucky fan and THIS IS SO SAD.

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