After a stellar game where Henri Veesaar scored 26 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in just 28 minutes, he had one small disappointment. “My puppy didn’t win,” he sighed during a postgame interview.
This season, Hubert and Leslie Davis are shining a light on local organizations through their Bobbie Webb Davis community spotlight. Each home game highlights a different group. On Tuesday, the focus was on the Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary, which brought adorable puppies for a halftime race. Each puppy was named after a Tar Heel player, giving a fun twist to the evening.
Veesaar, a dedicated dog owner, quickly bonded with his assigned pup. Aside from his on-court skills, Veesaar is also growing as a person during his time at Chapel Hill. “Community service is vital for our program,” Coach Davis explained. “It’s about using our influence to help those in need. I’m proud of our players for giving back.”
This season, the team has participated in various community activities, such as shopping for kids at the Hargraves Community Center and painting shoes with children from UNC Children’s Hospital. These efforts are supported by fundraising through signed basketball sales, which finance community projects. Even last year, the Heels visited St. Jude Children’s Hospital to spread joy.
Both Hubert and Leslie know that fans come to see exciting plays, like Caleb Wilson’s impressive dunks or Veesaar’s outstanding shooting. Yet, they also hope to connect fans with the groups they support.
A funny moment occurred when Gracie Davis, Hubert’s daughter, snapped a selfie with one of the puppies right before the game, clearly smitten. Although Veesaar didn’t succeed in convincing his fiancée to adopt his puppy, the Davis family’s efforts to engage the community continue to grow.
Coach Davis reflects on the importance of these moments. “These are kids still learning to grow up,” he said. “They remember experiences outside the court just as much as the games.” His own memories from Coach Smith, who once visited a prison to talk with inmates, stay with him.
In today’s world of college athletics, it can be easy to overlook the human side of the players. Davis hopes the puppy races and community projects remind everyone of the positive impact sports can have beyond just winning games. For instance, the team’s efforts also result in gifts for local kids and meals for families battling cancer.
Veesaar adds a personal touch to the puppy race story: “I tried to cheer my puppy on, but he was just a baby at four weeks. He prefers cuddles anyway.”
Through their combined efforts, the Davis family and the Tar Heels are bridging generations of community service, inspiring both players and fans alike.
For more about the organizations featured in the community spotlight, check out their links:
