Charlie Slack

Charles E. Slack (February 26, 1931 – July 3, 2020) was an American college basketball player from Marshall University. He holds the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I record for the highest single-season rebound average when he grabbed 25.6 rpg in 1954–55.[1][2]

"Charles Slack" redirects here. For the American politician, see Charles Timothy Slack.
Charlie Slack
Personal information
Born(1931-02-26)February 26, 1931
Pomeroy, Ohio
DiedJuly 3, 2020(2020-07-03) (aged 89)
Akron, Ohio
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
High schoolPomeroy (Pomeroy, Ohio)
CollegeMarshall (1952–1956)
NBA draft1956 / Round: 4 / Pick: 30th overall
Selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons
PositionForward
Career history
1956–1961Akron Goodyear Wingfoots
Career highlights and awards

Considered one of the greatest rebounders in college basketball history,[3] he had his Marshall uniform number (#17) retired in January 2000.[3] In his four-year career with the Thundering Herd, from 1952–53 to 1955–56, Slack compiled 1,916 career rebounds, which is third all-time behind Tom Gola's 2,201 and Joe Holup's 2,030.[4] Additionally, Slack's effort of 43 rebounds against Charleston (West Virginia) on January 12, 1954 is the second highest single game rebound total in NCAA history behind Bill Chambers' 51.[4] Slack owns the top four spots on Marshall's season rebounding average list with 25.6, 23.6, 22.2 and 16.3 rebounds per game.[5] A prodigious rebounder, he also scored 1,551 points during his career.[5]

Slack was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1956 NBA Draft, but he never played professionally.[6] He was, however, an alternate for the 1960 United States men's basketball team at the Olympics.[5] Slack was also a member of the varsity football team and was inducted into the Marshall University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 as a two-sport star.[7] In 2019, he was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.[8]

Slack died July 3, 2020 at the age of 89.[9]

See also

References
  1. "NCAA Men's Basketball: Single Season Records". Hickok Sports. August 10, 2010. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  2. "Mid-American Conference All-time Statistics". midampub.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  3. Morlachetta, Jay M. (January 27, 2000). "Marshall rebounding legend's jersey retired". Marshall University. Archived from the original on May 25, 2002. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  4. "2009–10 NCAA Men's Basketball Records" (PDF). 2009–10 NCAA Men's Basketball Media Guide. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  5. "Records" (PDF). Marshall men's basketball media guide 2009-10. Marshall University. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  6. "1956 NBA Draft". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  7. "The Marshall University Athletics Hall of Fame". herdzone.cstv.com. Marshall University. Archived from the original on 2008-12-19. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  8. "Charles Slack". Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  9. "Marshall basketball legend Charlie Slack dead at 89". Charleston Gazette-Mail. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
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