In the midst of March Madness, The Observer recalls one of the greatest moments in Charlotte sports history.
In 1977, long before the Hornets and Panthers commanded our attention, the Charlotte 49ers reached the Final Four, in there with the giants, UNC, Marquette and UNLV, and a star whose nickname, Cornbread, reflected his small-town North Carolina roots. An end to the semifinal game that still rankles the coach who got them there. A coach whose long career in the college and NBA is distinguished by that magical run 44 years ago.
That coach was Lee Rose.