A SE Missourian on Tobacco Road

Team photo of 2007-08 UNC men's basketball team. Recent NBA draftee Tyler Hansbrough is in the back row middle.

I don't get to go on vacations as much since I rejoined the professional radio ranks, but this past July 4 weekend was a welcome respite for me.

I visited a friend in Durham, North Carolina - part of the famed Research Triangle Park which also features Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Being the sports fan that I am, all three cities feature a very prominent and championship laden NCAA Division 1 school: Durham has Duke, Raleigh boasts North Carolina State and Chapel Hill has Ty Hansbrough's second home, North Carolina.

I saved UNC for last because my friend gave me the opportunity to walk inside one of the most hallowed sports arenas in America - the Dean Smith Center. Also known as the DeanDome, it is the only place I know in the country completely draped in its signature color, Carolina Blue. To finally enter the place where greats like Worthy, Perkins, Hansbrough, and yes - even that kid named Jordan, all honed their talents is akin to baseball fans stepping inside Wrigley Field or Fenway Park.

If you check out the picture below, you may see this area's native son prominently displayed on the 2008 Tar heel squad - the one narrowly missing the Final Four. The national champion team should be up by this coming season. Now if only Roy Williams were around........