May 5, 2001

John Lotz, who spent eight years as an assistant to Dean Smith, was SEC Coach of the Year while at the University of Florida and spent more than 20 years directing campus and community relations for UNC Athletics, died on Saturday at age 64 after a short illness.

He began his college coaching career serving as the Tar Heels' top assistant to Coach Smith from 1965-66 to 1972-73. During his tenure, Carolina won four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, four NCAA Eastern Regional titles, a NIT title and played in the NCAA Final Four in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1972.

"John was certainly a great influence on me and so many other people," says Dean Smith. "John was like a brother to me. He was a special friend, dating back to when he was my assistant and right up to today. We will all miss him. Everyone who ever played for him or worked with him in outreach programs had tremendous respect for John. He truly helped so many people in basketball and in life. We are all thinking of his wife, Vicki, and his two daughters, Corrie and Laci. They have constantly been by his side these last two weeks. Our hearts and prayers go out to them."

"When I first came to Carolina in 1967, John and I were assistant coaches together," says Bill Guthridge. "We have always had a great friendship. I admired John as one of the greatest people I ever knew. He will be missed by so many people."

The Flushing, N.Y., native was named head coach at the University of Florida in 1973. In 1977, Florida went 17-9 and Lotz was selected Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year by the United Press International and by the SEC's coaches. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1977 by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Lotz was inducted into the Suffolk County (Long Island) Sports Hall of Fame five years ago and has received a number of local awards for his charitable contributions on behalf of the UNC athletic department. In 1999, he received the Governor's Award for Excellence for Crime Prevention in recognition of the work he did with youth in Chapel Hill/Carrboro. The Chapel Hill Police summer basketball camp is named in his honor for his work with local youths.

"John was a mentor, counselor and friend to countless student-athletes," says Dick Baddour, Carolina's Director of Athletics. "Many people across the state and the nation, especially young people, first learned of the University through John's good works and good words and he represented our University with nothing but class and dignity. He will be greatly missed. We extend our prayers and condolences to his wonderful family."

Lotz first attended Baylor University, then transferred to East Texas State where he received both his bachelor's (1957) and master's degrees. His brother, Danny, was a member of Carolina's NCAA champion men's basketball team in 1957. He began his coaching career at the high school level in Norwich, N.Y., in 1960. He also coached three seasons in Massapequa, N.Y. He left Massapequa to join Coach Smith's staff at UNC in 1965.

Since returning to Chapel Hill in 1980, Lotz directed Carolina's community outreach program. He worked with hundreds of student-athletes in coordinating good works for the community. He initiated the annual Thanksgiving food drive for underprivileged families, helped raise thousands of dollars through the Juvenile Diabetes Walkathon, and collected clothing for the needy, among his many projects. Lotz, the son of a Baptist minister, is survived by his wife, Vicki, and his daughters, Corrie, a doctor in Atlanta, and Laci, a teacher in Chapel Hill.

A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, at 2 p.m., at University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the John Lotz FCA Scholarship Fund at 6339 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 451, Raleigh NC 27612. Proceeds will used to send North Carolina youth to FCA summer camps.