Hoops museum opens today
By: Jesse Baumgartner, Senior Writer
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Sports
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The wording on this document is sure to draw a smile, maybe even a laugh or two, from the average UNC fan who takes a closer look when the museum opens for the first time at 10 a.m. today.
"Dear Mike: I'm sorry to hear that you no longer have an interest in learning more about Duke University. … Sincerely, Mike Krzyzewski."
Such items are common in the 8,000-square-foot museum, which is filled to the brim with more than 450 UNC artifacts from the basketball program's storied history.
Located on the first floor of the Ernie Williamson Athletics Center - to the right of the Smith Center and Koury Natatorium - the project offers fans a chance to dig deep into the archives of Tar Heel lore through both memorabilia and video footage. The museum cost $3.4 million, while the construction of the center itself was estimated at $15 million.
Athletic department employees said seeds for the museum project began about five years ago and really started kicking into gear about two years ago. Former coach Dean Smith and numerous players donated items to the exhibits.
"I think thus far we got it right," said Steve Kirschner, associate athletic director for media relations, who was on the museum committee.
Kirschner said 84 players came back for the museum's dedication Jan. 18. The current UNC squad visited Jan. 17, along with head coach Roy Williams and Smith.
"Having coach Smith come in there and watch the video with us before we walked through was pretty neat," Williams said Jan. 18. "I was blown away by (the museum)."
Those making the trip will begin the experience by walking into a large, dark room to view a six-minute video about UNC gamedays on an IMAX-style screen. Exiting the room brings the viewer into the main part of the museum, which is set up on two-thirds of a regulation basketball court painted to match the Smith Center floor design.
Pillarlike exhibit structures dominate the floor and showcase subjects, including "Point Guard Play" and "Roy Williams."
The complete side of the basketball court includes an actual hoop, and the floor has been marked in the places where historic UNC shots have taken place, such as Jordan's 1982 jumper or Marvin Williams' putback against Duke in 2005.
One highlight of the main room is the actual center-court gym floor from UNC's 2005 national championship in St. Louis.
Videos featuring UNC basketball subjects are spread throughout the floor and use sensor technology.
Attached to this section is the final piece of the structure - the postseason room. Trophies, videos and artifacts from UNC's ACC postseason exploits and NCAA tournament history abound. The final room is the "National Championship room," which displays the five trophies from 1924, 1957, 1982, 1993 and 2005.
Kirschner said the idea for the final room came after trips to museums celebrating Churchill Downs, Kentucky basketball, Oklahoma football and Green Bay Packer football at Lambeau Field.
While the videos and technological aspects are a must-see, it's the obscure and interesting artifacts that will have fans shaking their heads, such as Jordan's initial recruiting profile card or the 1982 national championship watch that Smith gave up to manager Dave Hart because there were enough for only coaches and players.
And although the videos will stick around for a while, Kirschner - who said the athletic department now must have a museum mind-set - said the actual artifacts definitely will be changing.
"We want to keep it fresh," he said. "We don't want people to come in here in three months and say, 'Nothing's new.'"
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
VISIT THE MUSEUM
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday (different times for game days)
Location: First floor, Ernie Williamson Athletics Center
Admission: Free
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