98-year-old World War II veteran Bobby G. dramatizing the Union Soldier at UNC’s McCorkle Place on Jan. 15, 2019

At 97 years old, UNC’s oldest-living b-baller says Silent Sam should go

Photo by Mark Schultz

“I thought it was just a beautiful thing (when he was in school); I didn’t know there was a controversy,” says Bobby Gersten, 97, in front of Silent Sam on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus Sunday, April 8, 2018. Today UNC’s oldest living former basketball and baseball player says the Confederate monument should probably come down. “Too bad because it’s a beautiful thing, but it really has no place.” (The Herald-Sun – 4/8/18) Click this link: At 97 years old, UNC’s oldest-living b-baller says Silent Sam should go – 4/8/18

William Thorpe emceeing event on April 4, 2018 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Peace and Justice Plaza in Chapel Hill. (UNC Gospel Choir in background)

Community members commemorate legacy of Martin Luther King, discuss Silent Sam

Photo by Daily Tar Heel

Students and community members walked from Silent Sam to the Peace and Justice plaza Wednesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death. (Courtesy of the Daily Tar Heel – 4/4/18) Click this link: Community members commemorate legacy of Martin Luther King – 4/4/18

Bobby G. holding court with several TV news reporters after commemoration event in honor of Dr. King on April 4, 2018.

Bobby Gersten with his protégé — legendary basketball coach Larry Brown at the UNC-NC State game on January 27, 2018. Bobby was Brown’s basketball coach at Long Beach High School in Long Island, New York. Bobby recruited Brown to Carolina. Brown, an All-American player at UNC, is the only coach in history to win a NCAA (Kansas -1988) and a NBA championship (Detroit – 2004).

The 1967, ’68, and ’69 UNC basketball teams celebrated their 50-year reunion the weekend of January 27, 2018 and were recognized at halftime of the UNC-NC State basketball game. They remain the only teams ever to win three straight ACC regular seasons outright, take home three ACC tournament championships and reach three consecutive Final Fours.

Carolina basketball legends (left to right) – Rich Gersten, Eddie Fogler, Jim Delany, Charles Scott, Larry Brown, Ricky Webb

Live life to the fullest – Play above the rim

Bobby Gersten

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Start of Solo Triathlon across America – Carolina Beach, NC

Rear wheel dipping in the Atlantic Ocean – Sept. 20, 2017

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@ChancellorFolt February, 2015

With @UNC_Basketball‘s oldest living alum fabulous Bob Gersten at @uncwbb! #GoHeels

CAogxMDUIAEyD5_

Carol Folt‏ @ChancellorFolt 10:09 AM – 27 Jan 2017

Always great to see Bobby Gersten (’42). Oldest living @UNC_Basketball & @DiamondHeels alum and he’s active as ever!

99999

Carolina Elite Studios, a youth dance team with Bobby G. at the Old Well for Fun Run event – April 1, 2017

Honored to have Bobby Gersten, UNC’s oldest living baseball player at 96, join us at the Bosh today. #GoHeelsMarch 23, 2017

Bobby G. bunts a pitch from Coach Fox

Bobby G. heading to home plate

Two Carolina Baseball Living Legends: Bobby Gersten and Coach Mike Fox

UNC Walk for Health, April 11, 2015

Bob Gersten leading the start of the Walk for Health.

Bob Gersten ’42 leads the start of the Walk for Health on April 11. (Photo by Clifton Barnes ’82)

(Photo by Clifton Barnes)

Bobby G. (bottom, left) with UNC Basketball teammates – 1941

USA/UNC Walk for Health

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