Dean Smith signed motorcycle up for sale to true blue fan

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington mom is selling her decked-out University of North Carolina motorcycle that was signed by the late Dean Smith.

Ann Bowdish has shown her dedication to the UNC with a Carolina blue motorcycle.

“I’ve been a Tar Heels fan for as long I can remember,” said Bowdish. “The response you get on the rode with this bike, I have literally had people hang out their cars to get pictures.”

But despite all the attention it gets on the road the working mom said it’s time to let her custom painted speed bike go.

“I love her. I love her. If I had the time and I was young again I would keep it but there’s no point in her just sitting,” said Bowdish.

Bowdish said it’s too special to be sitting around because it has a little something extra for the true blue Carolina fan.

“We trailered the bike up to Chapel Hill and we went in and met Dean,” said Bowdish.

The late former UNC basketball coach and sports icon Dean Smith took a pen to Bowdish’s motorcycle back in 2009.

“It was awesome. I mean he was so sweet. He’s just the sweetest person. I mean he was very welcoming and excited about the bike. He says it was the only motorcycle he ever signed,” said Bowdish.

Smith was the head coach of the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997. When he retired he was the winningest coach in college basketball.

Jason Bogart said he has been a Tar Heels fan for as he can remember. Bogart agreed that Smith is a legend.

“To have Dean Smith sign something that you ride on and that’s a part of history. That’s pretty phenomenal,” said Bogart.

Valeria Marriott, a die hard Duke fan, said even though UNC is their rival Smith had a career worthy of respect.

“I absolutely understand the significance of it. I wouldn’t necessarily want one for myself but I understand why it’s important, he’s a great coach, he’s a legend,” said Marriott.

A legendary coach Bowdish wants to help people remember.

“I would love for someone to put it on display somewhere and put it somewhere people can see it and someone can remember Dean,” said Bowdish.

For interested buyers Bowdish has set up a Facebook page called Tar Heel Motorcycle Signed by Dean Smith. She said the price is negotiable.

Smith died back in February.