As the University of North Carolina weighs one of the most consequential facility decisions in program history, some of the most influential voices in Tar Heels basketball are stepping forward with a unified message: renovate the Dean E. Smith Center, but keep it right where it is — on campus.
Former head coach Roy Williams and former national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough recently released public videos advocating for the preservation and modernization of the Smith Center rather than relocating the program to a new off-campus arena.
Their comments come at a critical moment, as UNC leadership continues to evaluate long-term options for a building that has been home to Carolina basketball for four decades.
“I’m very much in favor of staying here in the Smith Center, renovating, remodeling, whatever we need to do,” Williams said in a video shared on X by the advocacy group Smith Center South. “I do not want to go off campus.”
The Smith Center sits on the southern edge of UNC’s campus in Chapel Hill, a location that has long been both a defining feature and a logistical challenge.
While the arena’s proximity to academic buildings reinforces the school’s traditional campus culture, it also creates persistent parking and traffic issues, particularly on game days when nearby medical facilities remain fully operational.
UNC owns a large undeveloped property known as Carolina North, located roughly two miles north of campus. The 230-plus-acre site, formerly home to a regional airport, has been widely viewed as the most realistic location for a brand-new arena.
For years, many observers believed a move to Carolina North was inevitable due to space, access, and revenue considerations.
In 2024, the university formally identified six possible paths forward for the Smith Center, including major renovations, partial reconstruction, and two off-campus relocation options.
The building, which opened in 1986, requires significant upgrades — including a new roof — and lacks many of the premium amenities that modern arenas rely on, such as luxury suites, club seating, and advanced fan technology.
Those shortcomings have limited the venue’s ability to host major concerts and touring events, which represent a major revenue stream for newer, multipurpose arenas across the country. From a purely financial standpoint, building a new facility at Carolina North has often been framed as the most efficient solution.
However, the conversation has shifted in recent months.
A grassroots campaign led by Smith Center South has gained momentum, launching a website — RenovateSmithCenter.org — and an online petition that has gathered more than 6,120 signatures. The campaign emphasizes tradition, legacy, and the unique identity of Carolina basketball as reasons to preserve the arena’s on-campus location.
Williams, who won three national championships as UNC’s head coach and also served as an assistant under Dean Smith, underscored that the arena’s location was not accidental.
“That was his wish,” Williams said, referring to Smith. “There was no question.”
Hansbrough echoed that sentiment, calling the Smith Center “a special place that holds a lot of memories.” A four-time All-ACC selection and the 2008 national player of the year, Hansbrough helped lead the Tar Heels to the 2009 national championship and remains one of the most iconic figures in program history.
“It’s very important that we keep the Smith Center right here on campus and push for renovations so many other Tar Heels can have the experience that we had here in the future,” Hansbrough said in a video posted on the campaign’s website.
Former UNC forward Brice Johnson has also weighed in publicly, using social media to express his support for keeping the arena on campus.
“I loved playing in this place more than any other place on this planet,” Johnson wrote on X.
Since opening its doors, the Smith Center has hosted more than 500 UNC victories, becoming a symbol of consistency, excellence, and tradition. For many alumni and former players, the building is inseparable from the identity of Carolina basketball.
University leadership has acknowledged the emotional and historical significance of the decision. In a December letter, administrators said the delay in finalizing plans was partly due to feedback from former players and other stakeholders.
“Careful study of arena options will help deliver a modern, basketball-first facility that enhances competitive excellence, strengthens recruiting and grows revenue to support Carolina Athletics,” the letter stated.
The administration emphasized that any future plan must balance innovation with tradition.
“By improving fan experience, technology, accessibility and surrounding amenities, this process can ensure that the next generation of the Smith Center keeps Carolina Basketball an elite national program for decades to come,” the letter continued. “A robust process also protects what matters most: the names and legacy of Dean Smith, Roy Williams and the championship standard that defines Carolina Basketball.”
A final decision was originally expected by the end of 2025, but that timeline now appears uncertain. As more influential voices speak out, the debate has evolved from a financial and logistical discussion into a philosophical one — about what makes Carolina basketball unique.
“We want Carolina basketball to be special,” Williams said. “We want Carolina basketball to be different, and the Smith Center is part of that.”
Whether UNC ultimately chooses renovation or relocation, the message from its legends is clear: the future of the program should honor its past, not move away from it.
