Own a part of history

In a story that is way late but I did want to put up a small post about, I have read on both Sports Illustrated and on the official web site of UNC Athletics (TarHeelBlue.com) that you can buy a piece of history, if you so choose to. If you know what I am talking about, then you have read about this, if not, you do not know that Steiner Sports Memorabilia, Inc. and Tar Heel Sports Properties have donated a portion of the floor from the 09 NCAA Final Four to head coach Roy Williams and the UNC Athletics Department.

The slabs (either 6″ by 6″ or 12″ by 12″) can be seen here (or click to enlarge the picture on this post), unfortunately the ones that were signed by coach Williams and some of the players have all sold out. Those were 12″ by 12″ and went for $ 499.00. The rest, a bit less expensive are still available.

Here are a few quotes about this collaboration:

“The Tar Heels have such a widespread, tremendous fan base across the country that we knew if we were able to capture a part of this year’s Final Four and make that available to them, it would be valuable,” said Pete Kelly of Steiner Sports Memorabilia, Inc.

“We wanted to do something special to mark the Tar Heels’ 2009 championship,” said Gary Sobba, general manager of Tar Heel Sports Properties, a property of Learfield Sports and the multimedia rights holder of UNC Athletics. “The floor is expected to go on sale today. We expect this to be immensely popular and fans can order the floor on-line. What an outstanding memory to grab hold of from the Tar Heels’ victory in Detroit.”

I have to say that it’s a great idea, especially for people that love to collect memorabilia. But, whether you are buying piece of the floor from the Final Four or a hat or a t-shirt, what counts in my book is that you are a true Tar Heel in the thick (when they are winning) and in the thin. So, while I find this a great thing (as I just said), I would love to see more things like this done but maybe with a cost that is closer to the reach of the thousands of fans that are still diehard ones but maybe can not afford to spend the type of money that this one is costing.

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