Roy knows baseball
OMAHA, NEB. - In case you didn’t notice, (but if you’ve been watching ESPN you probably have) North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams has made the trip to Omaha to support the Tar Heels.
This isn’t Williams’ first Omaha experience (he went last year), nor his first time cheering on a sport other than the Tar Heel hoopsters. Last week alone, he was sitting in the stands with USC hoops coach Dave Odom watching UNC take out South Carolina in the super regionals. And last December, he saw the women’s soccer team win the national title.
“For me I love watching our teams play,” Williams said before Friday’s game. “I love supporting the other athletes and the other coaches. You know I went to the women’s soccer finals, and I don’t know beans about soccer, but I love the job that Anson does and I love the way the girls play.”
While he may not know the subtle nuance of the offsides trap or the technique needed for a proper through ball, Williams does understand the game on the diamond.
Williams played baseball as a kid, at some times more than basketball, spending most of his time at shortstop. That love for baseball, plus the charm of Omaha has helped make the College World Series a real treat for Williams.
“This is the most fun sporting event I’ve ever attended,” Williams said. “Out here you don’t see the corporate tents that you see at the final four. You don’t see everybody hustling, trying to get a job, sell tickets, scalp tickets or anything.”
So here Williams is, in Omaha soaking up the sights and cheering on the Tar Heels as they make their push toward a possible national championship. And if you think the cardiac nature bothers him like many fans - you’re wrong.
“I just think they are a bunch of resilient kids,” Williams said. “If you were here last year, and watched that first game against Cal St. Fullerton maybe as good of a baseball game as I’ve ever scene.”
-David Ely