UNC Suffers a Major Loss with the Passing of Eric Montross

Montross was a beloved figure in the Carolina community.

Often, when talking about the University of North Carolina and basketball in particular, you will hear the word family. That word comes up because Chapel Hill is a special place where, somehow, everyone feels connected. There are larger-than-life figures that you learn about and people you will never know, but when something happens to one of them, it affects you. Today, the UNC community suffered a massive loss with the passing of former Tar Heel center Eric Montross.

Larger than Life

I will not pretend that I knew Mr. Montross. I know of him because he was a fantastic player for the school, and when working as an analyst, everyone loved him. But I, and many others who did not know him personally, also know who he is because of his impact outside of basketball. Montross worked with the children’s hospital, taking time out of his schedule to show love and support to kids battling cancer. He did this in college and continued on throughout the rest of his life. Montross ran a Father’s Day basketball camp where children aged 7-13 could spend time with their dads on the Smith Center court. The proceeds went toward the UNC Children’s Hospital. The original goal of $100,000 has been blown away. As of 2023, it stood at over $1.7 million. The outpouring of love and admiration for him shows the impact he has had on everyone. This is a devastating loss for the community.

Winner

Montross was an exceptional basketball player. He was a dominant presence that helped lead UNC to a 1993 national championship. He was a consensus two-time All-American, two-time All-ACC, and, as previously mentioned, a national champion. He is a legend in the program and was clearly a fantastic human.

I want to send my condolences to his family. I, along with many others, will be praying for them in this difficult time.

Eric Montross: 1971-2023