December 21, 2000 was the worst day of my life. My family owns a convenience store about 5 minutes from the University, one that Coach shops at frequently. That night, my father was shot in an attempted robbery. The shot destroyed over 60% of his liver.
I will never forget the look on Coach’s face, and the tears in his eyes, when he came in and heard the tragic news. Obvoiusly this was a emotional time for my mother and my family.
Coach came in the next day with a box full of Duke autographed items. Some nice young ladies in the area made a huge banner to hang in my fathers ICU room. He asked if he may sign it, and of course I said yes. His words will forever touch my fathers heart. "Dear Billy, stay positive. I am pulling for you, Thanks for being MY friend." Mike Krzyzewski.
I will forever be grateful for the visits in the hospital. But those words spoke volumes. To this day, Coach and my father are friends. They joke and laugh like old pals. He will always be Coach K., but we are so proud to call him "friend".
