April 25, 2007

There are precious few ways to earn a spot on the bench during a Carolina basketball game. Get a scholarship. Become a coach. Or win the seat in the 2007 Reece Holbrook Golf Classic sports memorabilia auction.

This year's auction is presented by Roy and Wanda Williams, and Coach Williams wanted to make sure an event that bears his name had plenty of quality material. That's why he agreed to donate this once-in-a-lifetime access to a Tar Heel basketball game. The winner will be invited into the Carolina locker room during the pregame for a to-be-announced 2007-08 nonconference home game. You'll sit on the bench during the game and also have access to the postgame press conference. Unless you still have hopes of using some of that remaining eligibility, this is as close as anyone can get to Tar Heel basketball.

That's just one of 26 terrific live items (plus nearly 50 silent items) that will be auctioned Sunday night at the Hampton Inn and Suites on Farrington Road by master of ceremonies Woody Durham. Other great items include a trip with the Tar Heels to Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend in 2007, exclusive access to the October '07 weekend that includes Late Night and the South Carolina football game, a 16 by 20 photo signed by Williams, Dean Smith, and Michael Jordan, and much more. And it's not just sports memorabilia; bidders will also try to win a trip to Hawaii, a trip to Chicago, a Pebble Beach golf trip, and much more.

All golfers (golf slots are sold out for the third straight year) receive free admission to the auction. Non-golfers can buy auction tickets for $20 each--which includes drinks and food--while supplies last. The full catalog will be posted on the RHGC website on Thursday. You can email any questions about the event to Stephanie Williams or Adam Lucas.