ACC Barnstorming Tour

I recently came across photos from a barnstorming game at Hunter Huss that brought back a flood of great memories, including playing alongside Tyler and Danny from UNC’s national championship team.
As I started thinking about those years, I tried to add up the number of barnstorming games I was involved with over 42 years. The total came to somewhere between 370 and 390 games. Most were played across North Carolina from Murphy to Manteo, but we also took the show on the road. We traveled through Virginia during Ralph Sampson’s senior year, played throughout South Carolina while showcasing outstanding Clemson players, and even played at Marcus Paige’s high school gym in Iowa. In Indiana, we played 12 games all over the state, including Plumlee’s hometown and another game at Tyler Zeller’s gym.
One of the most memorable trips took us to Portland, Maine, and another, back in the 1980s, took us all the way to the Crystal Palace in London, where we played the United Kingdom National Team (we won by double digits).
I truly miss those hectic, crazy barnstorming tours. The days were long, the gyms were packed, and we logged countless miles on the road, but there was always plenty of laughter along the way.
Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have been part of something that created so many lasting friendships and unforgettable experiences.

Fortunate to have known Len Bias. He was an amazing basketball player and a fan favorite. I was proud to be interviewed by his biographer, and the resulting book is a wonderful retrospective of a remarkably talented young man whose life and legacy continue to inspire many.

40 for 34 #30 - June 11 Barnstorming the Postseason Len Bias continued playing games soon after his Maryland season ended. Blog 30.mp4Len Bias was interested in making some money and having some fun after Maryland’s season ended. In early April, Bias achieved both objectives when he joined a different postseason competit...

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Nearly 40 years ago, I was chatting in the locker room with Jay Bilas, David Henderson, Johnny Dawkins, and the great Mark Alarie — right after Duke’s heartbreaking loss to Louisville in the national championship. Came across this old photo up in Asheville and couldn't help but reflect.

Fast forward 35 years later... another tough loss in the NCAA Championship — this time it was UNC who came up just short. But Caleb Love — he hit some huge shots late in the season and made some unforgettable moments. This photo was from an event in Concord.

Time flies. 40 years definitely has a way of catching up with you! A real honor to organize this tour.🏀📸 I don't think I could have done it without Pet, he made it a lot easier on this old man!

All good things must come to an end...

After 44 incredible years, it looks like the curtain is closing on ACC Barnstorming. While NIL is opening new doors for players — and that's a good thing — it has also brought an end to a beloved tradition that began with Lennie Rosenbluth and the 1957 UNC championship team.

Through the late 1980s, national champions from Duke, NC State, and others proudly joined the tour, creating unforgettable memories. Our April schedules took us everywhere — from Europe to Indiana, South Carolina, Iowa, and even Maine — bringing the magic of ACC basketball to communities far and wide.

Legends like Phil Ford, Michael Jordan, Tyler Hansbrough, Johnny Dawkins, Gene Banks, David Thompson, Len Bias, and Ralph Sampson lit up high school gyms, leaving smiles, autographs, and lifetime memories behind.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you — to the players, coaches, high schools, athletic directors, and most of all, the fans — for making this journey so special.

From all of us at the Sumner Group, who have been honored to help drive this amazing tour for so many years, thank you for being part of something truly unforgettable.

If you have a favorite memory or photo from Barnstorming over the years, we would love for you to share it with us in the comments! Let’s celebrate the incredible moments and friendships that made it so special.

Here’s to the memories, the magic, and the lasting spirit of ACC Barnstorming. 💙🏀 Special thanks to my good friend and all time great PJF.

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