The Carolina Way Lives On: A Celebration of Care
“This, my dear, is the greatest challenge of being alive: To Witness injustice in this world and not allow it to consume our light.” A. Canaan
My head. My heart. Both filled with the relentless pounding of acts and statements of division, exclusion, and hate. So unnecessary and so real. And yet, my head and heart tell me better days are ahead. That those who fought and sacrificed to overcome the racism, sexism, and classism (and its tentacles) did not do so in vain. Progress was made and the inspiration to continue the work lives on – in me and in you – here in North Carolina.
With the heaviness of my work and life calling, it is critical that I prioritize self and community-care. That is, I act with intention and purpose to step away from the noise of war, conversations of conflict, and observations of evil. My light must burn forever, so it is essential that I watch what I take in to my spirit to ensure the tools of joy remain accessible and sharp. And one of those escapes happened this past weekend whereby some women’s basketball alumnae of the University of North Carolina (UNC) gathered to embrace and celebrate former head coach, Jennifer Alley.
We have a saying here in Tar Heel country that sadly has been misused and miscommunicated over the decades. “The Carolina Way” was first associated with Dean E. Smith, who still holds the record for the most wins by a coach at the university. Coach Smith’s championships, innovations, and impact on basketball across the world cannot be understated. A legend, Smith was a leader’s leader as he demanded his players to exert maximum effort, demonstrate discipline, have integrity, and be respectful to one another, coaches, administrators, and opponents. “The Carolina Way” is an approach to leading by example with the mindset of “seeing the bigger picture” and trusting in the power of team.
Considering the current state of political and economic strife in our country, it was timely for me to experience “The Carolina Way” during this year’s “JA Summer Bash.” Spending time with former players at a North Carolina beach town was the perfect way to offset the tears and questions that arise each day in response to the latest hurtful executive order. So, what is our unique expression of “The Carolina Way”? Well, how many athletic programs do you know of that after ~ 45 years of sharing time in college then host a reunion to celebrate their coach and friend? That’s us.
Coach Jennifer Alley touched our lives. And we want to give her the flowers due in her presence while she is happy and thriving! Coach Alley, or affectionately known as “JA,” is a game changer. As the first full-time women’s basketball coach, she led the Tar Heels from 1977 to 1986 and opened the door for Black players when it was not common or appreciated by many university leaders, alumni, or fans. Kathy Crawford and Henrietta Walls were two of her early signees in the late 1970s who take the time to travel from out of state to join in on the fun. I appreciate JA’s spirit of inclusion as she invited me to become her graduate assistant coach in the fall of 1983. With that appointment, little did I know that history was being made at the time; I was now the first Black assistant coach at UNC. It is so refreshing that since 2016 in our time together each summer, we don’t have to walk away, act like we aren’t listening, or even shudder when someone mentions matters or topics related to race or racism. We speak directly and honestly about race relations. Coach Alley created and sustained a culture that fosters openness, curiosity, and respect. We are humans first.
Coach Alley is a champion. Honored as an ACC Women’s Basketball Legend in 2009, Alley’s leadership crafted UNC women’s basketball into a fierce competitor for titles and trophies against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) powerhouse programs Maryland and N.C. State. She transitioned the Tar Heel program from the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and its early-stage tournament version of March Madness. The struggle for independence and a voice at the table for better facilities and resources surely inspired her to also demand the most from her players. She tested their basketball skills with an emphasis on the fundamentals and reminded them of how their physical appearance and communications can make a difference in outcomes. As a player at the University of Virginia, it was always a very tough game competing against Aprille Shaffer, the star point guard, who enjoys attending the annual summer gathering. Today we can laugh and reminisce over the shared time together as ACC competitors and now as Tar Heel sisters. The first UNC women’s basketball scholarship player, Cathy Shoemaker, who spent two years playing for Coach Alley drives several hours for engagement that includes wonderful beach time, swimming pool chilling, and hearty discussion. Jackie Allison and Rita Satterfield also played for Coach Alley at the beginning of her career and remain loyal to the lessons taught.
Despite our late 1970s and early 1980s games not having thousands of fans, jumbotrons, multiple media outlets, global broadcasting, and commercialization, we were athletes knocking down doors and opening minds and hearts. We had an obligation to do what we could to prove the value and importance of Title IX in athletics. Coach Alley stated, “It was a great opportunity to compete, and there definitely was an element of pride. Having 500 or 600 fans there was a big crowd for us.” We know and appreciate the fact that coaches like JA were the foundation for today’s women’s basketball glory and endless opportunities. Our 1984 ACC championship will always be a highlight in my athletic career as a coach with JA, Kevin Kane, and Michael Peckham as we proved ourselves to be the best, and we forged lifelong friendships. It is always a great time to spend time with Darlene Cannon, Marlene List (Blocker), and Dawn Royster (Geronimo), who were key players for that championship team. Cannon asserts, “I love Coach Alley because she coached, taught and mentored with her whole heart! I attend the summer bash to show her how much I appreciate all the love and guidance she has given me over the past 40 years. I also love attending to reconnect with teammates and to just have fun!” This tradition of winning helped to attract future stars such as Liza Donnell, Marsha Matthews, Tia Poindexter, Chryss Watts (Hires), and Kathy Wilson (Duprey) to Chapel Hill. They enjoy visiting eastern North Carolina for the smack talking before the much-anticipated Spades card games and rich fellowship. Additionally, Watts has established herself as the “Betty Crocker Baller” for her baking skills. Each year this former USA Olympian (handball) is asked to bring several delicious baked goods to fill our bellies.
A native of Hudson, North Carolina, Coach Alley served 13 years as the executive director for National Association for Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators. This organization was the precursor to the Women Leaders in College Sports who awarded her the Nike Lifetime Achievement Award (2020). Moreover, JA was inducted into the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame (2023). Her administrative and leadership skills were noteworthy on the court and off. I can certainly think of other distinguished coaches from Coach Alley’s tenure, including my own coach, Debbie Ryan (Virginia), and ACC greats Debbie Leonard (Duke), Annie Tribble (Clemson), Chris Weiler (Maryland), and Kay Yow (N.C. State), who are deserving of such an annual tribute by former players. These coaches’ names and their players often come up in our conversations as we reflect on favorite opponents and memorable road trips to their universities. These pioneers built winning programs and survived sexism in sports by being determined and courageous. I bow and tip my hat to them.
The “JA Summer Bash” allows we who played and worked with Coach Alley to create new memories to sustain us until we can smile and give hugs when we see one another in UNC’s Carmichael Arena this upcoming season. The intimate camaraderie is our manifestation of how women must practice forgiveness, age gracefully, be open to discovery and reinvention, and laugh at ourselves – all with a shared experience of being ballers. Shaffer testifies, “Coach Alley taught me lessons in my life. To always try hard and then harder, and to never ever quit. When you do fail, get back up and try again. And lastly, to respect your rivals and that your teammates are everything.” Sounds just like “The Carolina Way.” A lifetime lesson and a light of hope, indeed.
Hark the Sound!
“Never Too Far” contains perspectives and insights from an inquisitive and engaged Orange County transplant from Philly. Deborah Stroman is an entrepreneur and UNC leadership professor who has seen too much and not enough, and thus continues to question and explore the thoughts and actions of humankind.
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