North Carolina State University Athletics
What They're Saying About Norm Sloan
12/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2003
Coach Herb Sendek's Comments on the Death of Norm Sloan
"Coach Sloan was a wonderful friend, a loyal supporter and a wise mentor for me. I really treasured the time that we had together and enjoyed the basketball talks that we shared. He would stop by practices and we would talk afterwards. He would come by the office, I'd shut the door and we would talk about our team or basketball in general. I enjoyed listening to some of his stories. I was very fortunate to get to know coach Sloan over the last several years."
How important was he to the university?
"I don't think it's easily put into words how important he was to this university. He is certainly one of the pillars in our rich tradition. A lot of the heritage we enjoy today as we represent NC State can be directly traced to his efforts and the successes that he had. If you listen to people like Craig Davis and others who played for him, you get a real tone of respect for what he stood for as a man and as a coach."
What is his legacy?
"We tend to remember each other I think by accompishments. Certainly, all of those will be chronicalled again as we get through this week together. But I think more signicantly was the type of man he was. He made a difference in young people's lives and long after he was coaching he was making a difference because I know he did with me."
On the importance of remembering those who built NC State tradition
"We've made a special effort to honor our tradition. I was glad that we were able to put his whistle and name up in the rafters a few years ago. He sat on the bench with us last year in our heritage game, which we celebrate again this weekend."
When did you last speak with coach Sloan?
"I spoke with him on the phone a short while ago. I knew he was having some health problems. I didn't know that it would go this fast to be honest with you."
Others on Coach Sloan's Passing
Former North Carolina Coach Dean Smith: "What a great coach Norm Sloan was. Believe me, they were our main rivals when he was at NC State. His teams played extremely hard. Sure, we didn't always get along when we were rivals. But I was out at Mountain Glen playing golf with my friend, Bill Miller, a couple of years back and Norm came over and we had a good talk. We've done that twice. Jo Ann, his wife, came over, too.
"He was always one of the great coaches we competed against. I mean that. His teams played as hard as they could possibly play."
(What characterized his teams?)
"Competitive. He's such a competitor. He passed that on to his players. They played hard, but they played smart, too. He ran it with an iron fist. That's why he was successful, every place he coached, at Florida twice, at NC State, and the national championship (in 1974) certainly was special.
"I know the NC State people feel down, and all of us should, but he had a great life and I'm just sorry it happened."
(Is there one game that stands out?)
"Probably any time we could defeat them was special, but one was when Dudley Bradley stole the ball and went down and dunked."
(on his legacy in the ACC) "He's been a factor with Everett Case as a player and the years he coached at NC State. He's a bright man and was a great leader and that showed with his teams."
ACC Commissioner John Swofford: "The collegiate sports world, the Atlantic Coast Conference and North Carolina State University lost a legend today with the passing of Norm Sloan. ? "As a player and a coach at NC State, Norm was a pioneer for the development of ACC Basketball.? He played a pivotal role in the history and tradition of this league and will be remembered for his accomplishments on and off the court. ? "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Sloan family."
NC State Athletics Director Lee Fowler: "This is a very sad day for the Wolfpack family. Coach Sloan was an icon of NC State basketball and so much of our great tradition is a result of his contributions. Our prayers go out to his family."
