A Decade

To some people, a decade may just be what the definition says, 'a period of ten years' or 'a group, set, or series of ten' (dictionary.com).

To others it might mean a time period sacred to the music they prefer, since music is a common way to relate to history and tells a story of the way things used to be. The rock 'n rollers promoting peace and love may think the word 'decade' and their mind adrifts to the blurry, faded memories of the 1970's. The pop-icon loving type may hear the word 'decade' and remember Michael Jackson as a black man, alive and well in the 1980's. The teeny-boppin' type may refer to "Saved By The Bell", "Johnathon Taylor Thomas", and innocent-not-yet-crazy Britney Spears of the 1990's when they think of a 'decade'.

To the sport's crazed, a 'decade' can be loved or hated. It can be ignored, when your team was far from the best. It can be clinched on to in hopes of a second-coming, when you just can't let go and face the mediocrocy of your team because of the greatness it once was. A decade can be worthy of a fan's never-ending, unconditional love and support no matter how many championships were won, how many times they choked, or how many jerseys were honored in that ten years.

Sure, some sports' teams are undeniable. John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins Men's Basketball program can not be denied ownership of the 1970's decade. Paul W. Bryant and the Alabama Crimson Tide Football progam can not be denied the 1960's and 1970's. The Southern Cal and Florida football programs have generally been the best of the milenial decade of the 2000's, with a few surprises and 'oopsies' not to be forgotten. Anson Dorrance, the coach of the North Carolina Women's Soccer program, is the king and never-threatened ruler of soccer's highest throne.

With all due respect to the programs who've exhibited greatness, highest quality, dominance, and empowerment in every genre of sports, I'm not writing to praise anyone but two of my favorite people in sports: Roy Williams and Tyler Hansbrough.

Growing up as a Tar Heel and never questioning my fanhood, the boy's in baby blue have always seemed larger than life. I was six when Eric Montross adorned the double zero jersey under Dean Smith's coaching staff. I was ten when Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison were All-Americans and Dean Smith announced his retirement. I was nine when my cousin Amy shouted out what Coach K had yelled down the sidelines at Coach Smith, the day I learned what the "F-Bomb" was. I was seventeen when I saw Sean May throw the championship ball in the air in St. Louis, celebrating the ultimate victory and a 'helluva' twenty-first birthday. Later that same year when he, along with Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton, and Marvin Williams, left the town of Chapel Hill for the National Basketball Association, I did not feel my beloved Tar Heels were doomed for years of 'rebuilding' like so many post-championship programs are.

Why? Roy Williams was just getting started and Tyler Hansbrough was still a senior on the "Mules" basketball team at Poplar Bluff High School, outside of Joplin, Missouri.

I've been disappointed by a boy who stole my heart before. I'd been hurt, broken-hearted, and ashamed of putting such love and devotion into the hands of a boy. The saying always went, "A girl shouldn't trust any man other than her Daddy."

My saying, "A girl shouldn't trust any man other than her Daddy. And, Roy Williams and Tyler Hansbrough." I knew, for a fact, that they'd get it done.

In April of 2009, not wavering in my trust for the wide-eyed #50 or the grey-haired, Southern gent of a coach, I celebrated another championship with the Tar Heels. My blue blood would boil when biased Duke fans (yet, no ties to Duke) or hateful Gator fans (yet, no ties to a true basketball tradition) would say 'Psycho-T' was overrated or Roy Williams was an NCAA Tournament 'choke-artist'.

My blue blood is done boiling. My crimson blood is sizzling with excitement of college football and rankings that depict national prominence, as we inch our way back to college football's throne. What helped cool off the blue is an acknowledgement by SportingNews Magazine that is only deserving to Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Williams. Whether you're ten-years old and lived only one decade, or you're twenty-years old plus, such as myself, you can't deny or possibly find a valid argument as to why these two wouldn't be the recipients of such high honor.

The College Basketball Player of the Decade; The College Basketball Coach of the Decade.

Not year. Decade. A 'period of ten years'.

College Basketball Player of the Decade is something Kobe Bryant and LeBron James can never have. It's a perk - past the pageantry of Final Fours, past never letting Coach K beat you on the hardwood stamped with his own name, past the college degree and accomplishing the feat of being a student and an athlete. For humor's sake, it's something J.J. Reddick, nor Elton Brand, nor Shane Battier, nor Greg Paulus, nor Carlos Boozer, nor Sheldon Williams can atest to. It's Tyler Hansbrough's award. There was no other College Basketball Player better from 2000 - 2010, than 'Psycho-T' himself. Stick that where the sun don't shine, Coach K. That's for teaching me the 'F-Bomb!'

College Basketball Coach of the Decade. Roy Williams. Kansas to North Carolina. When I say there's nothing like coming home... I bet Coach Williams would agree! He was successful at Kansas; a champion at Carolina. He may drink a lot of Coca-Cola, but it beats the Gatorade Billy Donovan probably drinks. He proves himself worthy of this honor because he was taught by one of the greatest in Dean Smith. He "Twitters" but spends his time developing bonds with his players. He takes the time for a picture with a crazy fan from Alabama and wants to know why she's a Tar Heel. He understands why when she tells him; she's from Asheville. He gives back to the community and stands out in a crowd. He's stood the test of time, proving that winner's never quit. He's the best college basketball coach of the decade. This 'period of ten years' that we've all watched quickly pass in front of our eyes.

This decade is a personal testament of my unwavering beliefs, my faith, and my trust in those three men. Tyler Hansbrough didn't let me down. Roy Williams didn't let me down. My father didn't let me down.

Ten years ago, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I prayed with uncertainty of what the future might hold that he would be here a decade later, not just eight years later like we were to be prepared for. The hardest worker I've ever seen, quitting wasn't a part of his fight. His feat over the cancer that threatened his body is even more appropriate as two other role models of mine are honored and praised.

A fighter, a Tar Heel, a winner. An undeniable example of strength, faith, and staying true to what you believe in is my ultimate hero.

Call it what you wish, but I was born into a basketball-loving family with a father who loved #50 from Poplar Bluff and Roy Williams, at Kansas or Carolina, just as much as I did and this decade - this 'period of ten years' is a Tar Heel Decade, indeed.

Celebrating a decade so special to my family - it wouldn't be appropriate for a J.J. Reddick and Coach K to win these awards. For my Dad, for Hansbrough, for Coach Williams - it was another alignment of the stars in perfect order.

As always, Roll Tide and GO HEELS!

-BJJ