Ernie Banks now can add another moniker next to his nickname, "Mr. Cub." Dean Smith is adding to his legacy on Chapel Hill years after his retirement as coach of the North Carolina basketball team
Banks, the former Chicago Cubs infielder and Hall of Famer, and Smith, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, several media outlets reported Thursday.
According to the White House, the award is bestowed on individuals "who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests to the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Banks, 82, is an 11-time All-Star with 512 career home runs and is considered one of the greatest baseball players ever. According to the Chicago Tribune, Banks once said his ultimate goal in life was to become the first former professional athlete to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
"I am humbled and honored to receive this great award and to be among such distinguished honorees," said Ernie Banks in a statement from the Chicago Cubs.
"I have spent my life trying to help others enjoy and appreciate the sport I love. I thank President Obama for all his efforts. The Chicago Cubs and Cubs fans everywhere share in this award as their support makes me proud to continue to work on behalf of America's greatest game."
Smith, 82, won two national championships at North Carolina in 1982 and 1993. He also coached the United States Olympic Team to a gold medal in 1976. He was a four-time national coach of the year, and when he retired in 1997, he was the winningest coach in college basketball with 879 wins.
According to ESPN, 96 percent of Smith's players graduated from college. He also was a civil rights advocate in the 1960s.
President Barack Obama also will give the award to media magnate Oprah Winfrey for her philanthropic work.
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