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Incorporated in 1998, CarolinaPros, Inc. is the vision of Rick Fox (UNC '91) and King Rice (UNC '91). CarolinaPros is an organization composed of former lettermen and letterwomen from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill athletic family. Understanding the power of the Carolina athletic brand, and the benefits bestowed by matriculating at this excellent public university, the organization is dedicated to leveraging that brand towards the benefit of the citizens of the state of North Carolina, and beyond, in the areas of health, education, and economic development.
Quoting King Rice, "The Carolina experience was so rich and rewarding. We wanted to recreate that feeling through a community service organization. Rick and I saw CarolinaPros, Inc. as a way that UNC lettermen could get together year after year, and give back to the community." It is well known that during the 40-year tenures of Coach Dean Smith and Coach Bill Guthridge, over 200 athletes were part of the basketball program and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While many of these individuals play or played professional basketball, or have basketball related careers, others have become successful in professions including education, law, medicine, and business. It is this vast diversity in career and experience of Carolina basketball lettermen that Fox and Rice intend to build upon in a philanthropic manner.
Understanding that charity begins at home, CarolinaPros' early history has focused around basketball related alumni events that benefit the community. By building from the positive image and extended family atmosphere that came to typify North Carolina basketball, CarolinaPros, Inc. has created and implemented programs and activities that benefit the less fortunate, particularly children. The organization recognizes that while athletes can be role models both on and off the court or field, a strong community support system is an integral part of a child's academic and social environment. CarolinaPros, Inc. ensures that the financial and social resources of its member athletes are funneled into appropriate community service projects and events. Carolina Pros, Inc. sponsors a variety of community based events and programming, with the proceeds benefiting various organizations and communities.
Incorporated as a tax-exempt organization, CarolinaPros was and continues to be the only organization of its kind. Never before has a group of former collegiate athletes independently formed such a community service organization. Angela Lee, a former member of the UNC basketball office support staff, serves as president of CarolinaPros. "So many of these athletes are involved in giving back individually, but CarolinaPros provides unique opportunities for them to team up for charity while recapturing the fun and excitement of UNC and ACC basketball."
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Founding Board Members
King Rice (Basketball)
Rick Fox (Basketball)
Chairman of the Board
Henry McKoy (Track and Field)
President
Angela Lee
Executive Board
Octavus Barnes (Football)
David Daly (Basketball)
Phil Ford, Jr. (Basketball)
Monique Hennagan (Track and Field)
Allen Johnson (Track and Field)
George Lynch (Basketball)
Sam Perkins (Basketball)
Lance Richardson (Golf)
Kenny Smith (Basketball)
Walter Sturdivant (Football)
Webb Tyndall (Basketball)
Henrietta Taylor Walls (Basketball)
Markeith Williams (Wrestling)
Ayo Atterberry Winters (Track and Field)
Advisory Board
Audrey Bilsborrow (Economic Development)
Creighton Blackwell (Finance)
Phillip Horne (Finance)
Kel Landis (Finance)
Lillian Lee (Education)
Erroll Reese (Technology)
Snooky Sroczynski (Economic Development)
Tom Tucker (Economic Development)
Tracey Williams (Basketball) (Health/Fitness)
Linda Woods (Administration)
Consultants
Jimmy Black - Financial Advisor
Paul Papadopolus - Legal Counsel
Starting Line-up
Rick Fox, co-founder of CarolinaPros, Inc., began his University of North Carolina basketball career in 1987 and ended upon graduation with a Communications degree in 1991. He started as a true freshman in 1987-88 and, over the next four years, appeared in all 140 games that the Tar Heels played. During that time, the Heels compiled a 106-34 record. In 1991, Fox joined an elite group of Tar Heels, being named MVP of the ACC Tournament. Fox concluded his North Carolina career with 1,703 points and as the all-time assists leader. "Playing at Carolina gave me a foundation for my entire life," said Fox, who lists Dean Smith as one of his idols. "It was a great foundation for me. I was with great players and a great coach and assistant coaches. We all developed the belief that basketball was more than just an individual game." Fox earned 2 NBA Championship rings as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring from basketball and pursuing a new career in acting.
King Rice, co-founder of CarolinaPros, Inc., is a 1991 graduate of the University of North Carolina, with a degree in Communications. In his senior season, the talented point guard led his team to the Final Four and was voted the team's outstanding senior by his teammates. King finished his career ranked third on the Tar Heels all-time assist list with 629, behind Kenny Smith and Phil Ford. He was 11th all-time on the ACC assist list with 6.2 assists per game in 140 career games. After college, Rice played professionally in England. He coached at Illinois State and Providence, and for three years was head coach of the Bahamian National Team. Rice spent five years on the west coast as an entrepreneur and training Fox. He recently returned to coaching and is assistant basketball coach at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Memorabilia Museum
The Blue Heaven Memorabilia Museum is located in the CarolinaPros office at 214 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Various historical items are featured and can be viewed for a $5 donation. Periodic autograph sessions with former athletes are also featured.
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