DURHAM, N.C. - Dennis Garrett has been a Tar Heel fan since he can remember. He used to sell soda at sports events with his older brothers, struggling to keep up with them. He says since then the Tar Heels have inspired him in every way and it shows.
Garrett has been collecting UNC memorabilia since he was a child. He picks up merchandise from every new city he visits, whether it is from California, Hawaii, the Bahamas, or Mexico.
“Everywhere you go, the Tar Heels are there,” said Garrett.
He thanks his wife for a lot of his memorabilia that is seen hanging up in his man cave at home where he watches all the games where he is not in the Dean Dome. Garrett expanded the collection with a Carolina car, two Carolina motorcycles, a Carolina lawn mower, and a Carolina trailer, and on each of those you can see the same phrase written out, “love and respect.”
Garrett says those two words are synonymous with Carolina, and he thanks his love for the team for the success of his organization that is titled by the same phrase. Garrett is the founder and director of “love and respect,” which helps troubled youth as they recover from addiction. He says they all find hope from being such firm believers in all things UNC.
Garrett’s two children, Dennis Jr. and Faye, are also Carolina fans. In fact, Garrett purchased his 1978 Chevrolet Nova and worked on it with his son so he could one day pass it on to him.
The two children sent words of encouragement to the team as they head into the final four in Houston.
"Respect your teammates and everyone else on the court so that we can move onto the national championship,” said Dennis Jr.
As for Garrett, he sends his love and respect.
To donate to the “Love and Respect” organization, visit their website.