AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHansbrough honors go overboard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
OK. This settles it. NCAA honcho Myles Brand, the president of the United States, the czar of the solar system and everybody else with a little juice should force all universities to adopt the Georgia Tech rule when it comes to the retirement of an athlete’s number.
Tech’s rule? Graduate first, and then we’ll consider giving you a call.
Are you listening, North Carolina officials? I’m just trying to keep you from embarrassing yourselves again. I mean, did you really say you’re retiring Tyler Hansbrough’s number?
That’s awful for several reasons. We needn’t go beyond this: Hansbrough hasn’t finished his junior season. In fact, the Tar Heels haven’t finished their regular season, period.
They have the ACC Tournament this weekend and the start of March Madness after that. Even so, university officials already have announced the hanging of Hansbrough’s jersey with their basketball elite of Jordan, Worthy and Ford.
Guess they’ll name the floor of the Dean Dome after Hansbrough, too. Anything is possible with these suddenly knee-jerk leaders of Carolina Blue.
No question, Hansbrough deserves to have his North Carolina number retired someday. He just became a rare unanimous choice for ACC Player of the Year. Under North Carolina guidelines, the winner of a national player of the year award —which is what Hansbrough did — automatically gets your number retired. Hansbrough also captured a third straight game against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of the Tar Heels’ dreaded rivals.
It’s just that Tech has it right: No retirement of an athlete’s number with the Jackets until he or she holds a diploma instead of a ball or something.
And no exceptions.
Not for Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, Dennis Scott.
Nobody.
Too bad Tech has higher standards than many of its colleagues, especially those in Chapel Hill.
Permalink | Comments (127) | Post your comment | Categories: Quick Hit, Terence Moore
Comments
By Phil
March 12, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Once again, Mr. Moore, you are wrong. (Which is not an uncommon occurrence.)
Hansbrough’s number is NOT being retired due to his winning ACC Player Of The Year.
For a North Carolina men’s player to have his jersey retired, he must win at least one of six NATIONAL player of the year awards: The Associated Press, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, the Wooden Award and the Naismith Award.
Hansbrough was just named the POY by Sporting News, thus he gets his jersey retired.
By Bradley G
March 12, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
While I completely agree that a university should not retire an athlete’s jersey while he is still in school, I’m having a hard time agreeing with the policy of the athlete’s having a degree first. I know, I know…student athlete and all… but is Dave Bliss of UGA getting his number retired b/c he was the Scholar Athlete of the year in the SEC? An athlete has the jersey number retired for his/her play on the field, not his performance in the classroom. Noble idea, I agree, but it shouldn’t be a prerequisite.
By Ben Gunby
March 12, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Typical Terrence Moore, an article full of falsehoods. The number is being retired because of being ACC POY? Really? You sure about that? Maybe you should spend less time tooting your own horn on Rome is Burning and more time making sure your written pieces contain accurate information.
By HimDownstairs
March 12, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Im surprised they didn’t retire Hansbrough’s jersey after his first game. Americans always looking for the next great white hope. My suggestion : Look to hockey
By Richard
March 12, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Hold on. I could be wrong about this but has Hansborough won a conference championship? Has be been to a Final Four?
If you’re UNC wouldn’t it make more sense to retire Sean May’s jersey?
By tjs
March 12, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Wow, I couldn’t agree with you more Terrence. I may never write those words agian, but nice piece.
By kaz
March 12, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
As a current Carolina grad student and Atlanta native, I find your comments doubly disgusting. You haved once again embarrassed Atlanta media. They have a policy that determines this and it has nothing to do with graduation.
By Greg
March 12, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad GT doesn’t have the same tradition as UNC either. Find something more important to write about. And who says UNC will retire the jersey while he’s playing. They will wait until he’s gone pro or graduated. Idiot
By Eric
March 12, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
“Under North Carolina guidelines, the winner of a national player of the year award —which is what Hansbrough did — automatically gets your number retired.”
That is a quote from the article above. Perhaps Phil and Ben need to read the article more thoroughly next time before accusing Terrence of falsehoods?
I agree with his assessment, though. The jerseys should be retired for student-athletes. Those who excel on the field/court, and get the job done in the classroom.
To be fair, many UNC players have come back to get their degrees after leaving school early. I can only hope Mr. Hansbrough does the same.
By Peatey Wheatstraw
March 12, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
T.M. Please make some attempt to get your facts straight prior to finalizing a story. Are you so untouchable at the AJC, that your editors dare not question the content of your stories? How long did this one take to produce? I know you surely laugh all the way to the bank.
By Mike
March 12, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
WGAS???
By Ramblin Wrecker
March 12, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Phil and Ben Gunby,
What difference does it make whether its the ACC POY or National POY? The point of the story is that a player shouldn’t have his jersey retired until he graduates, and certainly not before he finishes his last season. For example, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were probably the best players who ever played for Ohio State and Texas respectively. But they only played one season. I think it sets a bad example and allows players immortality without spending a lot of time in school. I mean, should the Braves retire Mark Teixera’s number for having a monster season and a half? The notion is ridiculous. We have SO removed the “student” from “student athlete” in this society. It’s sad really.
By wes
March 12, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Georgia Tech has it right. So does Terrence Moore.
Why are you Tar Heels so impatient?
There is not one good reason to retire his jersey this season.
His jersey will be hanging there long after his playing days.
What’s the rush?
By joe
March 12, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
Jamison whose number is also retired left for the NBA at the end of his junior year. He graduated a year later. Jordan whose number is also retired left for the NBA after his junior year. He graduated 2 years later in 1986.
You imply Hansbrough will not do the same. You are wrong but then again Mr. Moore you are wrong a lot of the times.
As to your comparing Tech to UNC, if Tech were to use the same requirements to retire a number as UNC does, I do not believe there would any numbers hanging from the rafters
By Bert
March 12, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Phil and other dissenters:
If you actually READ TM’s article you would have read the following sentence: “Under North Carolina guidelines, the winner of a national player of the year award —which is what Hansbrough did — automatically gets your number retired.”
TM did note the ACC POY award, but also noted, albeit briefly, the National POY award too. Maybe if you’d read before you respond next time you would sound a little smarter.
Oh, and thanks for relaying the information all the rest of us read on ESPN.com too. It’s always good to see it regurgitated and passed off as your own. Real classy.
By kaz
March 12, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
And if tech has it so right, why is it that none of their greats stay as long as tyler has?! Don’t talk about tech having it right when their players aren’t even motivated to stay (thaddeus, bosh, javaris, kenny anderson,and the great starbury). I’m sure they aren’t recruiting folks that they expect to live up to standard they have set.
By Moore is an idiot
March 12, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Tyler Hansbrough has been named the National Player of the Year by The Sporting News, which ensures his jersey will be retired at the conclusion of his college career. This was the release from the UNC Athletic Department. Moore never lets the facts get in the way of a “good” story.
By MV7
March 12, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Who gives a crap?
By Blackdawg
March 12, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Herschel’s number has been retire hasn’t it at my beloved UGA?
I heard he doesn’t have enough credits to be considered a Sophomore at any college.
Has anyone out there spooned with Herschel?
By G
March 12, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Hi Terence,
I can not agree with you more - that a student-athlete must graduate before their number is retired. GT has told many players, on senior day, that their number will be retired, once they get their diploma. It is incentive to finish their degree, which I thought was the primary purpose in a school.
I think you should go on to advocate some sort of penalty for “schools” that recruit players that only stay one year, denying players who want a degree and the privilege of playing basketball. There must be some sort of encouragement or incentive to make these kids, who are very talented, want to learn and improve their lives.
G
By Ramses
March 12, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
“Under North Carolina guidelines, the winner of a national player of the year award —which is what Hansbrough did — automatically gets your number retired.”
What?!?! Hansbrough “did” the winner of a national player of the year award? Do you have editors in Atlanta? Even a non-college graduate with his jersey number retired could see that that sentence makes no sense.
Seriously, I’m not a fan of making any formal announcement about retiring the number of a player still playing at the school, but writing a column about this is ridiculous. I may have missed it, but I didn’t see that they are going to retire it this season … I mean, if they do that, he won’t be able to wear it if he comes back next year(which he very well might), right? Hey, maybe if they retire #50 this year and he comes back and wins another national P.O.Y. award with a different number, they can retire that too!
Bitterness does not become you, Mr. Moore; but I guess you have to find something to write about, and since there is nothing worthwhile going on on the court at Tech, their jersey-number retirement policy is about the best you can do.
By crazydawg
March 12, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
As much as I hate T.M. for bashing the Dawgs cause he loves his beloved “Techies” so much, he’s right and he’s also wrong. He did mention the POY award(just vividly) but focused heavily on just his ACC honor. Hansbrough deserves it, no question but at least wait till he graduates; which he’s going to do anyway because he’s always declared he’s staying all four years and has been saying it every year.
I will say this, if anybody from that Tech team that went to NC game in 2004 was honored with a retired jersey prematurely then homeboy T.M. would no doubt have no problem.
By GT76
March 12, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
On this rare occasion TM has it right. You UNC fans are showing your arrogance and ignorance. The NCAA should legislate that one must graduate to have a number retired. It’s a college for crying out loud. The kids are supposed to go to school and demonstrate that they are capable of handling the school work. Athletics comes second. Georgia Tech has it right and to hell with anyone who expresses a lower standard!
By Shawn
March 12, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore is an idiot. Its very easy to talk about a school that is on top of the basketball world. Do us a favor and dont talk about the Carolina Blue in the samr articale or sentence as youre terrible Jackets. Thanks, The number 1 team in the country
By michael
March 12, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
first of all, let me remind you that as a freshman, tyler put up 40 points on your jackets. second, all the coahes in the acc and ncaa would agree with the honors he has won. what in the world would make you think that he is over-rated?? you obviously dont watch college basketball. what sport do you watch? every game ive ever seen, ive yet to see anybody, especially someone from tech, that can stop tyler in the slightest bit! learn to do some research before you post an article. tyler has deserved everything and more. watch what he does the rest of this year and learn to shut up!!
By joe
March 12, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Do you think Mr Moore would like to compare graduation rates between UNC and Tech basketball teams?
By Ryan
March 12, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Terrence Moore is a complete idiot without a doubt. Carolina is not the ones making a big deal over his number being retired and aren’t going to retire it while he’s playing. Tyler has simply reached the milestone of NPOY that UNC reguires for a jersey to be retired. If you’re going to write articles like this atleast get your fact straight.
By Phil
March 12, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
To set the record straight for those giving me and others flack…
The original column made NO mention of NATIONAL awards being a criteria. Mr. Moore said Hansbrough received the honor for winning ACC honors.
It appears Mr. Moore (or an editor) CHANGED the original column that was uploaded only AFTER I and others called him on it.
(Ain’t the internet great when you want to cover your butt, Mr. Moore?)
BTW: Given the mess the NCAA has made of much in college sports… Do many of you REALLY want the NCAA telling individual member schools how they can honor their athletes?
By mdawg67
March 12, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
your writing sucks so bad! You brain must be rotting from all the carbon monoxide, due to all the vehicles around the metro atlanta area. Do everyone a favor, put a sock in it; shut the heck up; And go get a job… *digging ditches… * although you will still run your mouth and bore THE PEOPLE around you who dont care what you have to say.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
By TM learn to read
March 12, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Wow, swing and a miss Terrence.
If he had bothered to read the AP Press release he would have noted that ‘When he leaves school, Hansbrough will join…’
Hansbrough met UNC’s criteria for retiring a jersey, so it will be retired. His real gripe is that a player of the year award was announced before the post season.
By tennille dawg
March 12, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
I told myself I would stop wasting my time reading a Terence Moore column again. Then I read this. Shame on me! Oh by the way, why would ESPN seek the opinion of TM? Perhaps some newspaper in Washington state needs a pure excuse of a sports columnist. Hey TM, I hear them calling you. Just like Pepper Rogers, Delta is ready when you are! We’re ready!!!
By Brad in KY
March 12, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Another problem with the article is that it says the decision is “knee-jerk.” This would be fine except for UNC’s long-standing policy in place to retire a player’s number if he wins a National Player of the Year award. In other words, it wasn’t a “knee-jerk” or otherwise impulsive decision at all.
By Phil
March 12, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Dear Bert…
Your comment Oh, and thanks for relaying the information all the rest of us read on ESPN.com too. It’s always good to see it regurgitated and passed off as your own. Real classy. is totally without merit.
The information I gave is posted on numerous web sites and in print publications, including those of UNC-CH. Should I have attributed all of them? This is a blog, not a doctoral dissertation.
Incidentally, one of my sons played a varsity sport at UNC-CH, so I am quite familiar with their guidelines without needing ESPN to inform me of them. (And YES, he graduated; on time and Summa cum laude.)
By James Adams
March 12, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
The most overrated player in college sports since Adam Morrison…what an Eric Montross, potential bust chump. 10-15 bogus foul calls a game. When was the last time a team whose best player was white won the NCAA Tourney?? 92??? Congrats on being ousted in round 2 by UNLV, Miss St., Syracuse….screw North Carolina.
By anon
March 12, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Tyler Hansbrough symbolizes everything that’s wrong with college basketball. Let’s hope Tech never has to honor a kid like him — that would be just “awful.”
By MC
March 12, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
The policy has been in place for many years, yet Moore calls it “knee-jerk? Furthermore, he and many who responded here seem to assume that UNC has “announced” the retirement of his jersey NOW. Neither is true. Given the standing criteria, it is simply known at this time that it will be retired at some point in the future…not NOW.
All that was said:
“By winning this award, Tyler qualifies to move into the front row in the rafters and have his jersey retired whenever he decides to leave the University of North Carolina,” adds Williams.
AFTER he leaves NC!
By buzz
March 12, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Going by UNC standards, Dennis Scott is the only player in GT history eligible to have his number retired — but he doesn’t meet GT standards. And all of the players who have their number retired for GT basketball would only have “honored” status at UNC.
By whitedawg
March 12, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Blackdawg,
Herschel Walker; Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice, 1984. University of Georgia.
By Eric
March 12, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
What’s wrong Terence? Where’s your weekly Dave Justice article?
By Mike
March 12, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Terrence, are you trying to get a job in Durham or something? This is a total non issue. Give it a rest.
By Mike
March 12, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
The racism in these comments is staggering. Have any of you TH haters ever seen the kid play? He is the embodiment of what is right about college athletics. Good student, great player and team leader. What more could anyone ask for?
By WriteAboutGeorgiaSports
March 12, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Why do you write about Georgia sports leave other stats alone. Someof your articles I start reading it the first STUPID comment, I scan through the rest and then click off it. Your articles hurt my eyes.
By chris
March 12, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
wow, did you see his statistics, he is a beast. He should get his numbered retired and you should stop writing because you are horrible. He earned for his number to be retired, he has over 2,000 points and hes only a junior. You should really stop writing!!
By WriteAboutGeorgiaSports
March 12, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you just write about Georgia sports and leave other states alone… When I start reading your column and the first STUPID thing within it, I scan through the rest and click off of it. Your articles hurt my EYES.
By John
March 12, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
I absolutely agree with your Mr. Moore. There is no race at all in play here, and for people to find race as motivating Terence Moore’s position is preposterous. These athletes represent the universities, and these universities supposedly have an academic purpose. UNC’s decision further diminishes whatever value lies in the fleeting concept of a student athlete.
By yoyoyo
March 12, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Did you really go to journalism school?
By GA Dawg
March 12, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
I’ll tell you one thing North Carolina does better than Georgia Tech. They win basketball games. Why the hell do you care what the Tar Heels do with their own team. How about this, T-Moore and the GT sports nations, Shut up and play your own game. Maybe if you spent more time doing that than constantly b*** (which you always do in both football and basketball), you might actually have a decent team to watch.
By AB
March 12, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
The rules for a player to have their jersey number retired at UNC have been in place for a long time. This not some knee jerk thin with the people at UNC. Secondly Hansbrough is not going to have his jersey in the rafters next year or anything. He simply MET THE REQUIREMENTS to have his jersey retired. He met the requirements to have his jersey honored as a freshman, and you have not seen it in the rafters. His jersey will not go up until he has either graduated os until the class he came in with graduates.
By THF
March 12, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
And it should be noted that neither Moore or anyone else in this discussion is privy to the conversations that have taken place between Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Williams as well as Roy Williams with other people concerning this matter. For all we know, TH has privately told Roy he intends to return for his senior season and so they decided to go ahead an announce it will happen. There is also an element of placating not only the fans but an impatient media who would undoubtedly ask TH and Roy 50 times during the ACCT if the number was going to be retired since he was named NPOY by TSN. They announced it to get it off the table and allow TH and Roy to comment on it ahead of the media swarm in Charlotte.
By Orlando
March 12, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
I don’t have a problem with bestowing the honor on Hansborough already, who is a great college player but will probably be average if he ever went to the pros.
By Chris
March 12, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Yup.. UNC’s basketball program perils in comparison to Tech’s… UNC should be more like Tech….
denotes sarcasm
By Tar Heel NYC
March 12, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Who the hell said he wouldn’t graduate or that he won’t be back next year? Also, they aren’t going to hang the jersey tomorrow. They just announced that he had qualified to have his jersey retired, so that at a future date and time, it will be retired. Who the hell cares what you think the criteria should be? UNC’s is a lot stricter than most schools.
By James Williams
March 12, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Of all things to write about during March Madness, you’re going to join the latest movement to somehow belittle Tyler Hansbrough’s accomplishments? The kid does everything the right way…plays hard, doesn’t talk trash, doesn’t complain, stays out of trouble, and does well in school…and yet here is another article ripping the honors he has earned. If UNC’s method is so bad, then I guess Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Antawn Jamison aren’t deserving either, as those are the only guys in the last 20 years to be good enough to get the same honor. The NCAA has a lot of things to worry about, and Tyler Hansbrough getting his jersey honored is the LEAST of them. Seriously, find something worthwhile to write about.
By Andrew Johnson
March 12, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
I think you need to do a little more research before you slam a university and it’s policies. Tyler Hansbrough has qualified to have his jersey retired by UNC. However, this will not occur until after he has graduated. It’s not like his jersey will be hanging next year should he decide to return to college. Please do some research before slamming UNC or any other school or team.
Thanks,
Informed Fan
By GA Dawg
March 12, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Secondly, If I had to choose between “Higher Standards” and the best team in the nation. I would say hmmm, I dunno, those Urine Jackets sure do have really high standards. Whatever. Tech sports are so mediocre, boring, and often sad to watch.
By Reader
March 12, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Ben Guby and Phil,
Can you read…Moore did acknowledge that Hansbrough won the national player of the year award…What he was saying was UNC shouldn’t have announced it while the kid is still in school and their season is still going strong. Also, he pointed out the fact that the criteria at UNC is less (in his opinion) that GT’s because Tech requires the player to have a diploma first. You haters need to get over it…
By ben
March 12, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you do a little investigative reporting about how college athletics is a sham, period, and that 50% of college athletes don’t belong in college to begin with? The truth is you and your collegues won’t, just as you ignored the juicing in baseball. The whole system is hypocritical, so why pick on UNC?
By justathought
March 12, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Carolina Officials: “Tyler Hansbrough has been named the National Player of the Year by The Sporting News, which ensures his jersey will be retired at the conclusion of his college career.”
Moore: “No question, Hansbrough deserves to have his North Carolina number retired someday.”
Moore: Are you listening, North Carolina officials? I’m just trying to keep you from embarrassing yourselves again. I mean, did you really say you’re retiring Tyler Hansbrough’s number? That’s awful for several reasons. We needn’t go beyond this: Hansbrough hasn’t finished his junior season. In fact, the Tar Heels haven’t finished their regular season, period.
OK….
BONUS: When does the “regular season end”?
By UNC2004
March 12, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I find it baffling as to how you write for a nationally recognized publication like the AJC. With his Sporting News POY honors, he has QUALIFIED for jersey retirement. The actual retirement will not happen until after he graduates.
If you took five minutes to do the research, you would have found that out for yourself. I guess you didn’t have anything better to write about?
By GA Dawg
March 12, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
14-16, wow. Really high standards there. Tyler Hansboro should raise his standards and lose more games. That would be better.
By Null Void
March 12, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Anderson, Marbury or Scott wouldn’t qualify to have their jerseys retired at UNC either genius. So much for those “higher” standards.
By Lee
March 12, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Who cares what a program like Georgia Tech does? They can hang all the jerseys they want, as they have lots of room in the rafters for banners. Hansbrough is joining a very select group. Only the second player since MJ to be so honored. Why do you even care? I have no issues with your alma mater doing whatever they want with banners. Sorry you are so mortified. He did what he had to do to have it in the rafters. Get over it. Move on. It would be different if UNC were Cincy under Huggybear or NCSU under Valvano where nobody graduated, but it’s not. Check how many retired jerseys at UNC are for players who did not graduate. In the meantime, maybe you can watch Tech in the NIT. I’ll call Roy to have him start modeling Tech’s program in the interim.
By Reader
March 12, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Ramses,
If you are going to criticise-get it right. Did you not notice the dashes on either side of the phrase “which is what Hansbrough did”? It is a paranthetical phrase goober…get real people. The article was making a salient point and it was TMs opinion which I wholeheartedly agree. Write on TM
By Terence Moore is slow
March 12, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Terence, Have a cup of coffee when you wake up everyday. It might help.
By The Usual Crap
March 12, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Nothing new here. Why does it still surprise me?
By Reader
March 12, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
AB,
What are you talking about? Who met the requirements to have his number retired as a freshman? Are you on the same subject as the rest of us? Are you lucid? Just checking…
By Phil
March 12, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Reader… your comment means you obviously missed my second post, which said…
*The original column made NO mention of NATIONAL awards being a criteria. Mr. Moore said Hansbrough received the honor for winning ACC honors.
It appears Mr. Moore (or an editor) CHANGED the original column that was uploaded only AFTER I and others called him on it.*
Reading ALL posts before you submit can be quite helpful and avoid making yourself look foolish.
By Terence Mooron
March 12, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Phil, You are right, the article has been corrected.
By frank
March 12, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I agree slightly with GT. You shouldn’t give notice to a player that you are going to retire his number while they are still a player at the institution. But, graduation shouldn’t be a requirement either. Academics should be a top priority, but we have to keep in mind that some athletes will not graduate. As most other schools do, why not wait 5 years after the athlete has left the school, then consider their accomplishments.
By Mike
March 12, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
UNC2004 - The AJC is known nationally as a joke. Its the paper where good writers go to die. You ever notice how none of the writers from the AJC move on to bigger and better jobs? There is a reason for that.
By Reggie Ball
March 12, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I wonder if they will retire my jersey?
By Larry J
March 12, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Do any of you North Carolina fans actually READ the column before you attack Terence?
No, you don’t.
He CLEARLY says that North Carolina’s policy is to retire jerseys for players who have won NATIONAL player of the year; nowhere in the article does he say that UNC is retiring the jersey because the player earned ACC Player of the Year.
Nowhere.
Get your facts straight.
Did any of you actually GRADUATE from UNC?
By Edward
March 12, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Its tough being a GT fan, the good news is at the rate they are going they will always have plenty of room atop their court for retired jerseys. By the way lets check your graduation rate over the past 10 years or so.
By Larry J
March 12, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
And, regardless of what the policy is, retiring a jersey BEFORE someone has left the university is a ridiculous policy.
Graduation should be a requirement - just like at Georgia Tech and many other schools.
By bravesfan79
March 12, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Shawn: suck it dude with your might NC bs……your just another fake fan that jumps on whatever team is hot. So tell me this… are you STILL a Yankees fan since theve fallen??
And whos that idiot talking about the “great white hope”?? there are white pple that dominate in everysport under the sun. Whos the baddest man on the planet? That would be Fedor Eliminko, a WHITE russian guy!
By Phil
March 12, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Larry J….
SIGH! (Roll Eyes)
If you had read ALL the posts, you wouldn’t have made yours.
MOORE’S COLUMN WAS CHANGED…. AS IN EDITED…. BY HIM OR AN EDITOR… AFTER HE WAS CALLED OUT FOR SAYING HANSBROUGH’S JERSEY WAS RETIRED FOR ACC POY HONORS AND NOT NATIONAL!
Now go back and read ALL of the posts.
By Big Ed
March 12, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
WHO CARES when NC decides to retire a number. What a non issue this is. By the way Terrance I enjoyed watching you get torched on the Jim Rome show last week. Try to avoid being on the show with guys half your age and twice the talent. It’s not attractive for you at all.
By Randy
March 12, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
The contention in this article is ridiculous… it’s not like Carolina is hanging the jersey tomorrow. All they are saying is he now qualifies, and that’s big news as he is only the 8th or 9th in a long line of great players. I am sure his jersey won’t hang before he leaves. Get the facts before you report… isn;t that a cardinal tenet of professional journalism?
By Davis
March 12, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
All Carolina did was send out a release saying that Hansbrough is eligible to have his jersey retired after being named TSN’s National Player of the Year. Hansbrough is on pace to graduate early and IF he leaves this season his number will be honored NEXT season in a ceremony. If he comes back it will be retired upon completion of his Senior Year.
By Ross
March 12, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
North Carolina officials didn’t announce that his jersey was going to be retired. Journalists, like yourself, chose that as a headline for the article they were writing because of UNC’s policy and the fact that he won the Sporting News POY award. It’s not like UNC went around and paraded that Hansbrough jersey is going to be retired. Get your facts straight.
By David Lee
March 12, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Overall, GA Tech is a superior academic institution than the red necks of North Carolina and Ugag combined. GA Tech basketball program suffers from the academic demands placed on Tech’s student athletes.
By Lil E
March 12, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Moore is right. I think they should have waited until the end of the season to announce the retirement of Hansbrough’s jersey.
By Rus Reed
March 12, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Tyler Hansbrough is a great student who will graduate,has an unmatched work ethic,never complains while getting mugged every game (DooK-Henderson) is great with fans and kids, visits hospitals and really enjoys the college life and game. He will stay four years and graduate with his class. Retire his number, they should rename the state after him for all the good things he does. He is what college athletics should be. This is not tan issue of race, but an issue of right. Thanks Tyler !!!!
By joe
March 12, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
frank,
Let me get this right… You have a long established set of rules which are used to determine if a player is to have his number retired. A player meets the criteria to have his number retired. In the case of TH, he was named TSN POY.
So your options would be what frank. Ask TSN not to name him 2008 POY until 2009? Or would you rather tell TH because you have not graduated we are not going to recognized your number will be retired when you leave school?
frank at UNC all the numbers which have been retired have been worn by POY who also happen to be graduates of UNC.
So if academics are a top priority as you stated then why do some schools honor athletes who never graduate? School unlike UNC BTW
By Cooper
March 12, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
You are one loud mouth idiot! First of all I don’t think K. Anderson, D. Scott or S. Marbury were ever National POY. Furthermore, UNC has a much higher graduation for all its student athletes then GA Tech. While I agree that it is always better to hold recognition for college athletes until they graduate, UNC (particularly the basketball team) places a very strong emphasis on academics…much more than most programs and certainly more than GA Tech.
By Davis
March 12, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
“By David Lee
March 12, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Overall, GA Tech is a superior academic institution than the red necks of North Carolina and Ugag combined. GA Tech basketball program suffers from the academic demands placed on Tech’s student athletes.”
You are joking right? US News and World Report ranked Carolina as the #28 school while Tech ranked at #35. You may need to do more research as well.
By Dan
March 12, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Compare these two players:
Tyler Hansbrough, UNC:
Seasons: >3 POY Awards: 1 so far. Final Fours: 0 NCAA Championship Games: 0 Jersey Retired?—YES
Elton Brand, Duke:
Seasons: 2 POY Awards: Consensus Final Fours: 1 NCAA Championship Games: 1 Jersey Retired?—NO
At Duke, like Tech, you must graduate to get your jersey retired. Hansbrough’s a good player, but UNC should have waited till he got his degree to announce this. Not a classy move.
By James
March 12, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
To the comment saying the guy is overrated…
FACTS: Multiple first team All ACC honors, multiple first team All American honors, unanimous ACC Player of the Year. Multiple National Player of the Year honors.
Not to mention, if he stays, which is likely, he’ll end up among the best in ACC scoring and rebounding (tops in UNC history for both). Seriously, overrated? Sorry he doesn’t jump like Dwight Howard or shoot like Ray Allen. That doesn’t take all those points, rebounds, and wins off the scoreboard last time I checked.
Yeah, it’s just ridiculous that UNC would dare announce that the kid’s jersey will hang one day. What difference does it make when it’s announced, we all knew it was going to happen. The policy has been the same for as long as anyone can remember. He made the grade, plain and simple…so find something else to complain about.
By Phil
March 12, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Comparing GT to UNC or UGA is ridiculous. One is primarily an engineering and management school and the other two are liberal arts, science and teacher training schools. That’s apples and oranges.
GT is a fine school; one of the best engineering schools in the country. No argument there.
But if you GT folks want to compare yourselves (academically) to other institutions, it would be more sensible to do so against schools like MIT, Purdue, RPI, Cal Poly, Texas A&M and Missouri-Rolla.
By Bryan
March 12, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Impatient huh?…Sounds like a lot jealousy to me. No matter what happens from this day forward, he’s already among the all time greatest @UNC and in the ACC. Who cares what T Moore thinks…it’s his opinion but I doubt if it that makes it right. And in a state like GA of all places where the most revered QB Buck Bulue didn’t even graduate from UGA. When did UNC become knee jerk…same rule was in place for Jordan and Jamison…why didn’t T Moore write the article then…oh my bad…cause they’re black like ME and T MOORE…LIFT YA STANDARDS T MOORE…YOU’RE BETTER THAN THAT!
By steve
March 12, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
I’m true blue die-hard Tar Heel. However, I agree with TM. UNC should wait until Tyler graduates before bestowing on him such an honor. He is a great player and a great credit to the university, the conference, and college athletics in general. But this kind of honor should wait.
By Jessica Whitmire
March 12, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Maybe you should go back and listen to Tyler’s declaration speech last year. I do feel it is very important that before a player’s number is retired, they should graduate and/or represent the school with the upmost character. Tyler has shown future college athletes what it’s all about. He is a rare role model that in today’s basketball society is hard to find. His actions, hard work, team dedication, and mannerism have set high standards for upcoming UNC players. That is the number one important role as a college player. He deserves every bit of credit he is receiving. I believe, being a college athlete myself, that we need more players like Tyler in all programs especially in those as well known and broadcasted as UNC. Basketball is not about an individual, show boating, fighting, or cockiness that has slowly taken over every college sport. Tyler has shown character even in situations where emotions can cause players to make poor decisions. Players such as Tyler who has demonstrated the character that should define college athletes should have their number hanging on the wall; or from the ceiling in this case. I have confidence he will return to the Hill next year to finish out an amazing career. I hope young players that dream of playing for any college at any level will see Tyler and other players like him as role models and strive have that same character as a student athlete.
By BRIAN BITTING
March 12, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Who is this clown called Terrance Moore? Please read the criteria for having a jersey retired before you print such idiotic statements. I never thought i’d read so much hate from an educated columnist,then again, you must be a Duke fan!
By Whywasnthisarticle
March 12, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t he write about the player who received it last year, or the year before..? How come he picked Tyler or this year to write such an article…How many NATIONAL awards in sports journalism you’ve won Moore? Are you just famous (if that) in ATL? most don’t even know you other than the Atlanta base people, go ask a person from the second largest city this question: Do you know of the writer in ATL by the name of Terrence Moore most would say, I’ve never heard of him. Stay famous in ATL don’t try to go National.
By GT
March 12, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Tyler Hansbrough doesn’t need his number retired, he is that good. A few of Tech’s retired numbers take me a minute to remember who they were. The numbers are not up there for half the guards that played for point guard u. If this was the criteria for Georgia, H. Walker would not be hanging at Stanford which is a joke. Why do non participates get so involved with how a participate in honored. Carolina wrote the book on college basketball and class. TH’s broken nose against Duke was a nuclear moment in that series. The guy has the guts of a burglar and could have gone to the pros every year he has been at Carolina. Is Jordon’s number hanging in the Dean, don’t remember any mention of outrage about that from Terrace and rightful so. Wonder why he brings it up with Hansbough.
By Chris
March 12, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
How can you even put UNC and Georgia Tech in the same sentence this year? Just because there is nothing to write about in Atlanta right now don’t resort to writing bad stories about Tyler Hansbrough! Hansbrough deserves everything he gets with the hustle he shows on the Court. Again a player gets their jersey retired for their play ON THE COURT!
By carlos
March 12, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
GT has better perspective than UNC? I have read it all! You are a moron Terrence, GT compares in no way to UNC. It seems GT is searching annually for a new point guard because the one from the previous year heads to the NBA early. I am really kicking myself for reading another of your mindless dribbles. Next time I will need a bib, if there is a next time.
By william barth
March 12, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
The Media hava annonced that Tyler has accomplished the criteria to have his jersey hung. The school has made no statment and it will not be done untill he has graduated or gone pro. I like the idea of needing to graduate to have the jersey hung, but I believe it is unfair to imply that NC is going to hang it next week. The MEDIA made the statement that he has met the requirment. Some day it will happen.
By #1 Carolina Fan
March 12, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
It is Carolina’s policy to retire a player’s number if he wins at least 1 of the 6 National Player of the Year Honors given out every year. Tyler won 1 (so far). What’s the problem? It’s not like he went to Roy Williams or anyone @ Carolina and said, “hey guys I need my number retired.” Tech has its policy for retiring numbers. Carolina has its policy. Instead of writing these silly articles Terence, why don’t you write the Carolina folks and tell them to change the policy?
By Scott
March 12, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
What an absolute idiot. Hansbrough is not having his jersey retired tomorrow or on Friday before they play their next game. He has simply qualified to have his jersey retired because he is the NATIONAL Player of the Year, not just the unanimous ACC player of the year. All of UNC’s other players to have their jerseys retired also graduated just like the ones at GA Tech. Hansbrough’s will be retired at the END of his career.
The BIG DIFFERENCE is that UNC actually has the criteria that a player has win one of the six recognized NPOY honors. Mark Price, Tom Hammonds, John Salley, etc. are all very good players, but they never did what Hansbrough has done. They never did what Jordan, Worthy or Ford did, and that is be named as the BEST college basketball player in the nation.
For once, why don’t you try to get some facts straight Moore. It is obvious from reading some of these posts that some of these readers take your written word as truth, when it is garbage.
By OMG
March 12, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Could they at least wait until he leaves school to retire his jersey? While Tyler obviously deserves it, it seems odd to have a jersey retired while the player is still playing. As far as whether they have a diploma or not, that should be up to each school. That tradition was started by Bobby Cremins, who is no longer the coach. Who is to say that it could not be changed in the future?
By Tommy
March 12, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Each University has a right to set guidelines for their school. UNC says if a player wins a NATIONAL ( not conference ) Player of the Year award their jersey will be retired. Tyler did that and he deserves this just as those before him. Mr. Moore, complain about something that has merit.
By MiKE
March 12, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Terence, the biggest difference between Tech and UNC is the win/loss record. If UNC wants to retire a jersey, LET THEM. This would be a different situation if the Heels suddenly made up a rule in order to get Hansbrough’s jersey in the rafters. This kid plays harder and gets knocked around more than anyone in the country, period. Hang that in your rafters and write about how bad college basketball is in the state of Georgia. Leave North Carolina alone…I think they’re doing just fine without your opinion.
By justathought
March 12, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
OMG…please READ! This is what happens when an uninformed writer publishes a “knee-jerk” column.
By the way… Antawn Jamison went pro after winning NPOY his Junior year in 1998. His jersey was retired at a ceremony on Mar 1, 2000.
Q: What happened between all that time when his NPOY was “announced” and the time his jersey was actually retired?
A: He went back to school and graduated.
By SouthGARules
March 12, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Memo to UGA fans:
Dominique Wilkins had his number retired at UGA & when did he graduate? That’s right, HE DID NOT. I believe TM had a column about that as well.
By Don Koontz
March 12, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Get a life. Hansbrough has more class in his little finger than you have ever shown. He is a total class act in every respect,positive in every respect.
By Ramses II
March 12, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
*By Reader March 12, 2008 1:12 PM
Ramses,
“If you are going to criticise-get it right. Did you not notice the dashes on either side of the phrase “which is what Hansbrough did”? It is a paranthetical phrase goober…get real people.”*
Hey Reader, what is a “paranthetical phrase goober”? Is that an Atlanta thing or something??
Now, parenthetical phrase, I can see … but what is Mr. Moore saying that Hansbrough “did”? From the context, it can only be “the winner of a national player of the year award” as that precedes the “paranthetical phrase goober,” as you call it.
Anyway, agree with him all you want. I disagree, and think it is quite ironic that a piece ostensibly talking about the importance of education is such a poorly written piece of tripe.
By Kevin Uppins
March 12, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Did you have the same complaints when UVA retired Chris Long’s jersey before his last game and honored Sean Singletary’s last week?
By Cody Bowers
March 12, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
I have watched Mr. Moore on Rome is Burning just about every time he is on there. I have never liked him. For some reason he does not like white athletes. Tyler Hansbrough is one of the most deserving kids I have ever seen to get this honor. Like several of the comments, I agree that he met the criteria, therefore he should get the honor. They stated that it would not happen until after his career was over. Thats all.
By Tom Trojan
March 12, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
It is UNC’s jersey and school! They can do what they think is best! As I recall, Ohio State had a pretty good player named LUCUS that played 4 years at State, and they said Oden was the best ever, please give me a break! I am a fan of UCLA and don’t even get me started on our centers! Play well for 4 years, then we will THINK about your number being put up! Doubt it though!
By Terrence Moore's Daddy
March 12, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
I wonder why nobody bellyached when it was known that Jordan and Jamison would have their numbers retired as juniors? Uh, maybe because he’s white and Moore is doing a lil’ bit of reverse racism here.
BTW, to all the Tech fans preaching that they have the right criteria for retiring numbers. You idiots retired John Salley’s number! He wasn’t even a 1st team All-ACC player. And he wouldn’t even be considered one of the 100 best players at UNC, much less top 10.
Next year trying getting yourself a REAL basketball team instead of a team of thugs. Hewitt sucks!
By scribe
March 12, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
I hear they have an opening in the Obama campaign.
By UNCFAN
March 12, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
As a UNC alum who lives in Atlanta, I am very familiar with Terrence Moore’s columns. Every other column he writes is about Notre Dame. Since Notre Dame has fallen on hard times, Terrence now needs something else to write about…so he picks UNC and Hansbrough.
UNC is exactly right is having a clear policy in place to retire jerseys for its basketball student-athletes. The jersey will be retired after the student-athlete’s basketball career at UNC is completed. If Moore had done some research, he would have found that most student-athletes complete their degrees from UNC…even those who leave early for the NBA. In fact, Moore should contact Marvin Williams since he is here in Atlanta. Although Marvin left after his freshman year, he has been in summer school each year…working towards his degree.
UNC vs. Ga Tech? Ga. Tech has one of the lowest graduation rates for basketball players in the ACC. And do not even think about stating that Tech is a harder school. The last time I checked, UNC was ranked much higher academically in the US New and World Report. And UGA…please do not mention them at all. UGA is rated a second tier university in the US News survey and is not ranked very high academically at all. Moore should go back to his articles on Notre Dame which excites him but no one else!
By OldSchool51
March 12, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
It’s just that Tech has it right?? About what? Since you are either too lazy or too ignorant to do a very basic search/assesment of the nation’s top basketball programs, I offer this advice - in less than a minute with a simple Google search, you can could have avoided looking like the nutcase you are:
Duke, North Carolina Top Basketball Times List Of Best Programs Posted Oct 24th 2007 3:26AM Filed under: UNC Basketball, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, Charlotte, Carolina
The Basketball Times released their list of top college hoops programs over the last ten years. Topping the list: the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels.
The magazine uses four criterion for making this decision.
Duke was tops in winning percentage, second in NBA players, 13th in graduation rate and 3rd in peer assessment. North Carolina was 20th in winning, 1st in NBA players, 9th in graduation rate and 4th in peer assessment.
And Georgia Tech? Listed in the infamous “others”.
I would further suggest you direct your immeasurable talent toward cleaning up your own house at Tech before your next hatchet job on a class program and a kid who has done nothing more than work hard for every honor achieved.
By Tom
March 12, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
Moore when I read your articles I feel you haven’t followed sports for more than several years. Your combination of arrogance and error are uncanny.
By Sara
March 13, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Wow. I cannot believe they give you your own column. Do you bother to check your facts prior to writing or are you simply content to make stuff up? Fantastic journalism my friend.
By Bob Sacamano
March 13, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
I WONDER IF TERENCE MOORE WOULD BE COMPLAINING IF THE KID WAS BLACK INSTEAD OF WHITE.
I’M JUST SAYING.
By George
March 13, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
Terrance, You are one of my favorite AJC writers so please do not take this as critisism. The University of North Carolina did not announce that they are retiring Hansbrough’s jersey. The press wrote that it will be retired because he has been named player of the year by one of the sports media that Carolina recognizes. I know that it must be difficult to think of something to write every day so I forgive you for being so trivial in your subtle critisism of a great player. Your headline is actually pitiful. I bet you did not write the headline.
By Kevin
March 13, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
I would be surprised to see his jersey in the rafters BEFORE his final college game. Either way, life is short…and if it happens, then it happens.
By george
March 13, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
As someone who grew up in Chapel Hill and is a big UNC fan, I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with his column. In fact, it was my understanding that you did have to graduate before UNC would retire your number. These are student-athletes — It’s the least we should expect from them. I know that Dean Smith would feel this way, and I am surprised that the current administration would be so quick to announce the retiring of Hansbrough’s jersey. Do it the right way — let him graduate first. Why the rush?
By Todd
March 13, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Well, it’s nice to know that your ignorance isn’t hidden by the fact that you write a column. Just a little more research would have you find that Hansbrough’s jersey will be retired after he finishes his career at North Carolina not during the current season, you a*!
By Hunt
March 13, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
I see people have already mentioned Mr. Moore’s lack of research. However, I would like to illustrate one other point.
Hansbrough’s jersey qualified for our rafters after he was selected as an All-American. His performance on the court warranted that accolade. His most recent accomplishment of being named POY means that his jersey has QUALIFIED to be retired.
In no way did UNC say when it would retire the jersey.
Maybe, if Moore had gone to a decent journalism school, say like the one in Chapel Hill, he would have done some research.
What an idiot. Mr. Moore, you’re Scott Templeton to me.
By TAI
March 13, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
For some reason, there’s this piling on the hatred for Hansbrough this week. From Morrissey at the Chicago Tribune to Freamon at CBS Sportsline. And now you, Mr. Moore.
One major point that you and many others have missed regarding Tyler’s jersey being retired is that UNC had this policy in place long before Tyler Hansbrough stepped foot on the campus. UNC did not change the policy to fit Hansbrough. He just happens to have received a NPOY during his junior year. And, the university has made it clear that his jersey will be retired once his college career is over.
Jordan was a junior when he received the honor, so was Jamison and so was Worthy. So why the big deal about Hansbrough? Could it be that he epitomizes everything that we USED to admire in a student athlete. A solid third-year student without an entourage who’s focused on LEARNING and being a member of a TEAM.
By Warren Nadler
March 13, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
How many numbers are retired in GA school basketball arenas? Maybe a janitor’s!
By Tom UNC
March 13, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Things must be a little slow in Atlanta for this to be such a big story. The bottom line: this is UNC’s business and no one else’s. Let GT do as it chooses. Good luck in the tournament. According to my inferior mathematical skills, you will need it.
By Rich
March 14, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Are you just trying to be as biased as you can be? Moron, do your researche.. UNC retires those jersey numbers of the players that are named Player of the Year in the NCAA… it’s automatic. If you’ve been named POY for the whole NCAA, then you’ve been outstanding enough to have your jersey retired. Get a real job you’re good at. If you cannot even research something so simple, you should not be paid for this garbage you write.
By George
March 17, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I have to say you need to research things before posting to your column. As has been pointed out several times before, numbers get retired at UNC based off winning one of the 6 major news outlets’ national player of the year award. Speaking of atrocities, look at Ga. Tech and UNC’s basketball graduation rates. UNC’s recent 6 year span produced a graduation rate of 86% of their players according to ESPN. Not bad for a school that also sends a higher than average number of players to the NBA. I’d dare say Ga. Tech doesn’t do that well, and that, in your own words, is quite awful.