Roy Williams donates seat to be left open in honor of Bo Ryan’s late father

Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers advanced to Monday’s national championship game against Duke thanks to victory over Kentucky on Saturday. Unfortunately, Ryan’s father won’t be there to cheer his son on. Butch Ryan passed away in 2013 at the age of 89. However, thanks to North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams, Butch Ryan’s presence will be felt at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Williams donated a seat that will be left open in memory of Bo Ryan’s father.

Sect. 140, Row A, Seat 13 will be left open for tonight's game. Roy Williams has donated that seat to the memory of the late Butch Ryan.

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) April 7, 2015

This year marks the second consecutive season Bo Ryan has led Wisconsin to the Final Four. While the Tar Heels fell short of advancing to Indianapolis, their coach has more than left a stamp on Monday’s game with one of the more touching gestures you’re likely to see for some time. Hats off, indeed, to Roy Williams.

Photo via: Twitter/BadgerMBB