Listen Live
Praise Charlotte App Graphics
Praise 100.9 Featured Video
CLOSE

VIA CIAA Communications

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association mourns the loss of Charles “Tex” Harrison, a Harlem Globetrotters legend who played basketball at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in the 1950s. He died Thursday at the age of 81.

“We have lost one of the greatest members of the Globetrotters family,” said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “Few can match Tex’s commitment and contributions to the team. From the day I joined the organization in 2007, I learned many things from Tex about the team’s heritage – things that he passed on to our new generation of Globetrotters. His wisdom, down-to-earth demeanor and sharp wit will certainly be missed.”

Harrison attended North Carolina Central University in Durham. He was the first player from an HBCU  to capture All-American honors. Harrison received the nickname “Tex” in college by being a very recognizable 6-3 Texan attending school in North Carolina.

Harrison scored 1,304 points as an NCCU Eagle from 1950-54 under coaches John McLendon and Floyd Brown. In 1954, he gained notoriety when he faced the Globetrotters as a member of the College All-American team during the World Series of Basketball and was then asked to join the team.

During his Globetrotters career, Harrison had tea with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, and performed for three Popes. He and the team also received the Athletic Order of Lenin Medal in 1959 – during the Cold War – an event that solidified Harrison and the Globetrotters as global ambassadors.

“Charles was a great example of how a student-athlete can transition to become a leader in sports both on and off the court. After spending six decades as a player, coach and advisor to the Harlem Globetrotters, he will always be considered a legendary trailblazer with CIAA roots,” said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.

Known to be one of the quickest players to ever play the game, Harrison estimated he traveled to more than 100 countries during his illustrious career with the Globetrotters, spending 18 years as a player before becoming a coach and advisor.

Harrison was honored by the Globetrotters with the team’s “Legends” Ring – presented to those who have made a contribution outside of basketball and played a role in the development of the Globetrotters brand.

 

CIAA Mourns Death of Legendary Harlem Globetrotter  was originally published on oldschool1053.com