CHAPEL HILL – Former UNC men’s basketball coach Bill Guthridge will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Thursday.

Guthridge was Dean Smith’s assistant coach for 36 years. He repeatedly declined head-coaching offers from other universities—electing to stay with Smith and the Carolina basketball program.

When Smith retired in October of 1997, Guthridge became the head coach of the Tar Heels.

He led UNC to an ACC championship and two Final Four berths during his three years as head coach. In 1998, Guthridge became the sixth person to play on a Final Four team (played for Kansas State as a student athlete) and then lead Final Four team as head coach. Guthridge was named National Coach of the Year in the same season.

UNC great, running back Kelvin Bryant joins Guthridge in the 2013 inductee class.Bryant won the 1988 Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins.

Other inductees include Ron Francis, Wade Garrett, Tommy Helms, Marion Kirby, Rich McGeorge, Hugh Morton (deceased), Bob Quincy (deceased), Marty Sheets and Mildred Southern.

The 50th annual induction banquet is set for tomorrow evening at the Raleigh Convention Center.

For ticket information, contact 919-845-3455.

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