6 The Daily Tar Heel Friday, April 28. 1978
f s-
i
I "
.a..-,- - it;.
I ' '"
Tom Zaliagiris
Old Nd. 12 is gone lorevcr.
Not only is Phil Ford graduating int wo weeks,
but for the first time in 21 years, the University of
North Carolina retired the jersey of a varsity
athlete, hord's jersey, which he wore while
bringing so many honors to hinisell and the
University, was officially retired Wednesday
night at the annual Carolina baskctjball banquet.
The occasion at the Carolina Inn was sort of a
last hurrah, a chance to say one last goodbye to
the seniors on the team : Ford. Torn Zaliagiris
and Geff Crompton; a time for them to say
goodbye and a time for memories.
"One time when I was a freshman coach
(Eddie) Fogler was giving .me a ride to
Granville," Ford told the banquet. "He said the
years were going to go fast. 1 said then that they
wouldn't. Now, 1 can't believe it's over."
Ford's performances during the last four years
were capped this year when he was named
nation... player of the year and named to every
All-America team. He earned the honor of being
the first Caroilina athlete to have his jersey
retired since the 1957 national basketball player
of the year, Lennie Rosenbluth, led Carolina to
the national championship. Chancellor N.
Ferebee Taylor, in announcing the retirement of
Ford's jersey, called the top pro prospect "a
young man who has brought great recognition to
himself and the University, and who is a truly
outstanding individual."
The banquet was an opportunity to reflect on
the careers of the seniors and, in particular, a
glance back at the most recent season. But to
reflect on a career such as Ford's, great moments
from the last four years in Carolina basketball
were refreshed in the minds of the 400 persons
present, such as Ford's freshman year, when
Carolina defeated heavily favored N.C. State in
the ACC Tournament to end the David
Thompson era in the conference.
Walter Davis, the 1978 NBA rookie-of-the-year
and still one of the most well-liked former
One last
farewell
Three UNC seniors
'can't believe it's over'
By GfcNE I I'Clll RC II
1)1 It Contributor
Carolina players in Chapel Hill, presented Ford
with the team's most valuable player award, and
brought back more memories.
'"Last year, I got some awards, but felt like a lot
of other people should get them," Davis said. "1
helped a lot with recruiting, but 1 guess you
always remember your first love. Phil was the
first player I e.ver helped to recruit."
Coach Dean Smith told the banquet he was
proud of the 1977-78 edition of the basketball
Tar Heels because the championships they won
represented goals that had been conquered.
"But this is the seniors' team, not old Dean's
team," he said "I'm very proud of the team. They
represented the University well. They played at
one time like the best team in the country. Maybe
I made a mistake and told them that. But this was
a year they could look back on and be very proud
of. But I challenge this year's team. We're losing
three seniors, but Duke and State have
everybody back. And Walter won't be back to
for the banquet traditionally are the
seniors.
"It's really not like saying goodbye," Zaliagiris
told the audience "It just, means I won't be
i mining mound in Carolina-blue shorts
anymore. I was always stubborn, but coach
Smith always put up with me. Like after a loss,
he'd talk to each player lor a lew minutes, but
always talk to me last. I thought it was because
my name started with a "Z" but our five-minute
talk always lasted an hour."
Crompton, the big center who had numerous
problems during his eligibility, admitted that it
took patience for the coaching staff to endure his
continual hardships.
"Coach Smith couldn't figure me out and
sometimes I couldn't figure him out," he said.
Ford's speech mostly was humorous as he
e ounted tales about recruiting adventures such
.is his family pieparing a feast when Carolina
recruiters were in town and nothing when other
schools' recruiters were around.
"My family never pressured me about whereto
go to school." he said. "But I somehow got the
hint and ended up here in the fall."
Team awards were presented at the banquet,
with Ford winning or sharing eight of the 14
awards. He shared with sophomore Mike
O'Koren the All-America and two all
tournament awards and won outright the
coaches award for the most assists, best free
throw percentage, most valuable player,
outstanding senior and national player of the
year. O'Koren won the outstanding rebounder,
best field goal percentage shooter and overall
statistical leader awards. Al Wood was honored
with the Butch Bennett award, presented to the
most influential freshman player. The
outstanding defensive player award went to
Dudley Bradley. The most inspirational player
as voted by the team was awarded to Ged
Doughton.
The banquet is sponsored by the Durham Tar
Heel Club.
WW
TO
v.w J
fuVf
-; ..5m
'"0
it? ' ?
1
? i
4b
Geff Crompton
i u n fi i Turn n
rnss n kss rap n nre 0 An Wps
"
s - Bubba Smith
Former All-Pro Lineman
' I i
;- -I
$
A '
;
:
V (
l' i
rm RICHARD THOMAS
7:00
V.'.'.'.'.'.V.'.'.'.'.'.'.'is,
9:00
M8eptember30,
1955"
VMJ 1955",
'' l'7f the day it all came apart.. f
7:15 t-i T ..
uatcnit
9:15
NOW
7:30
9:30
t;snutn
1 1 1 1 1 1 1'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.':1
yr 1 1 1 - -1 1 1
PG A Wamc CflnnnunicalKini Cotoany
MS
1
iNCNiriA. DOSiMMr
MmmmmMKJL
Now Showing
I rim tt v7
"Goodbye Girl" 5il
MFW TOM TIMES
SHOWS
2:30
4:50
7:10
9:35
Now Showing
T SHOWS
2:45
4:25
6:05
7:45
9:25
"' If
JUXA. l-
8
i
SHOWS
2:30
4:15
6:00
7:45
9:30
Held Over
4th Big Week
Winner oi 4
Academy Awards
Including
Beit Picture
WOOCY ALLEN
DIANE KEATON
'ANNE
btdALLL
Held Over
2nd Week
SHOWS
3:25
5:20
7:15
9:10
I IV kr f Ongin.il .Him n
nftaliilunny
LATE SHOWS
Fri. & Sat. Night (j
11:30 Ail Seats $2.00 ji
Double Feature jj
j Confessions of Linda Lovelace j
and
Wet Rainbow