Written by Pat Welter, a multimedia journalist for WRAL Sports.

Chapel Hill, N.C.

“At the University of North Carolina, the fans have a deep familiarity with their beloved basketball players. However, this is a tale focused on the ushers, who serve as the intermediaries between the players and the audience.”

Kelly Davis greeted every fan who walked by her section on the floor at the Dean Smith Center before the Carolina versus Tennessee game, asking “How are you tonight?” and “Hi, how are you?”

According to Davis, a great usher embodies what he calls “the Carolina way.” This involves being courteous and hospitable to visitors. Many of these individuals are visiting the building for the first time and may become emotional or teary-eyed. For them, it’s a long-awaited experience. Therefore, it is crucial for us to provide our patrons with a positive and enjoyable experience during their time here.

Since 1986, Davis has been an usher at the Smith Center. Through hard work, she has earned the position of floor usher, which is highly coveted.

“It’s an honor,” remarked Larry Black, a colleague working as a floor usher. “You have the opportunity to attend all the games, interact with all the spectators, and in my position, I have the chance to meet many of the players and their families.”

The attendants are companions.

According to Black, all the ushers on the floor are acquainted with each other and often have dinner together if the game is early enough.

They are historians.

Black explained that over the course of 31 seasons, there are many opportunities to witness Duke and Carolina games.

The group consists of family members.

“Many of us have been members here since the Smith Center first opened,” Patti Rouse shared. “We spend the entire basketball season together and it truly feels like a family. We experience their highs and lows together.”

Since 1989, John Schleich has been working as an usher at the Smith Center.

According to Janis Matson, the floor usher supervisor, he was a Marine and therefore had a strong demeanor. She also mentioned that he was a very kind individual who had a good rapport with the families.

Matson swiftly relocated Schleich to section 109, a top-tier location for ushering directly behind UNC’s bench where the families of the players sit.

Matson stated that being an usher is an honor and one should not do anything to jeopardize that privilege. He also praised John for being a caring and exceptional individual who looked after those around him and helped improve them.

The statistics for Usher are not recorded with the same precision as a player’s points per game, but during his time, John missed around five or possibly six games.

Bryan Gillikin, a Carolina fan and frequent visitor of the Smith Center, described the man as a great person who was always present. “He sat on our side and felt like a member of the team. It just didn’t feel right when he wasn’t here,” Gillikin said.

This year, John Schleich is heavily on the minds of all ushers.

Bleeding blue

“He’s right here on this Wheaties box,” Alissa Schleich gestured to a location behind the Carolina bench. The box featured a picture of the Smith Center court to commemorate Carolina’s five national championships at that time. “He used to joke, ‘I’ve finally made it on the Wheaties box’.”

John’s spouse is Alissa. She supports Carolina, but she graduated from NC State.

“Alissa shared from their residence in Cary that John had a strong passion for engineering and a deep love for Carolina. She also mentioned that they made sure to show their support for the university in their household.”

After completing his service in Vietnam, he relocated to North Carolina to pursue a physics degree at Chapel Hill. It was at an aquarium store where he first met Alissa.

Alissa spoke about their shared love for aquariums as she gazed at the vibrant fish swimming in the sizeable saltwater tank in their living room. She mentioned that they have kept aquariums throughout their marriage.

John had a variety of interests, but his biggest love was UNC. He and Alissa worked as ushers together before they had their three children.

“I have fond memories of working with football and gaining entry into the football program,” Alissa recalled. “We volunteered for football until we were able to join the basketball program, as there was a long waitlist.”

Alissa stated that he never missed a game and was always present regardless of his health status.

On October 13, 2023, John led the opening of UNC’s Live Action for the season.

Alissa expressed her gratitude for being able to give him a warm embrace and a kiss. He then happily got into his beloved Fiat and drove away.

“It was the perfect day for him.”

Larry recalled that after the game, the individual informed him about his back pain. They had to make their way back to the Craige Deck parking lot on foot. Larry suggested taking it easy and walking slowly.

Larry said, “I noticed that John was not moving as quickly as expected. We strolled across the parking lot, through Bowles lot, and up the steps to the Craige deck. He informed me that he was on the fourth floor, while I was on the sixth. I told him, ‘I will see you at our basketball meeting on Tuesday,’ to which he replied ‘okay’. Unfortunately, that was the last time I had the chance to speak with John.”

John was on his usual commute home on North Carolina Highway 54 after leaving campus. While driving, he experienced a stroke and ended up crashing his car near the Friday Center intersection.

Alissa recalled receiving a call from EMS. She informed them that she was en route to the hospital as her loved one was being transported to UNC Memorial.

Alissa stated that he was exhibiting typical symptoms of a stroke.

John died at UNC Hospital on October 14, 2023. Alissa takes comfort in the fact that John was able to do what he loved on his final day.

“He got to go to Live Action, he got to drive the car that he loves,” Alissa said. “And he passed away at UNC Memorial. He couldn’t have had a better day.”

A floor area

The Carolina community quickly came together to support John and Alissa.

Alissa expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received from the basketball community.

Leslie, the wife of Hubert Davis, created pins featuring John’s name and image that are worn by every floor usher this season.

Leslie and Hubert issued a statement to WRAL Sports expressing their deep appreciation for John’s impact on their basketball community. They described him as a protector and a source of constant positivity, always greeting each member of the community with a warm smile and kind words. In honor of his caring nature, the families decided to share pins with the ushers at games. John’s absence is felt at every game, but they feel fortunate to have known him.

“I still feel John’s presence in some small manner,” Kelly stated, wearing John’s pin over her heart. “I am grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to him and acknowledge the contributions he made to the university, as well as the personal friendship he shared with me throughout the years.”

Patrick Varker, who ushered in the section next to John wrote a poem in John’s honor. It reads:

I have been able to use my skills to solve complex problems and complete projects efficiently.”

Working with John has allowed me to utilize my skills to effectively solve intricate problems and successfully finish projects.

It was never a task.

so we always felt secure

We always felt safe because we supported each other.

while on the job.

With you in your spot,

Several people discovered that it was not an easy task.

They were unable to come anywhere near the bench.

I will treasure the time.

Until the end of my final day.

thanks for the all the memories,

and for being a friend to me.

Lastly

there will never be a time,

on a daily basis

I will not forget about you.

When I go to Chick-fil-A.

Prior to each game, the ushers are treated to a free meal from the concession stands. John’s preferred choice was the Chick-fil-a sandwich.

“Every time I have Chick-fil-a, I am reminded of John,” Patrick said. “He was the perfect employee, always dedicated and serious about his job at the restaurant.”

John Schleich will always have a designated area on the floor.

Alissa expressed that she misses him every day and believes this feeling will continue for some time. However, she also acknowledged that he was greatly loved and appreciated.

Source: wralsportsfan.com