Charlie Slack
Encyclopedia
Charles E. "Charlie" Slack is an American
former college basketball standout from the 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.
Considered the greatest rebounder in college basketball history, he had his Marshall
uniform number (#17) retired in January 2000. 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. 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. 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. A prodigious rebounder, he also scored 1,551 points during his career.
Although he was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1956 NBA Draft
, he never played professionally. He was, however, an alternate for the 1960 United States men's basketball team at the Olympics
. Slack was also a member of the varsity football team and was inducted into the Marshall University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 for being a dual-sport star.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former college basketball standout from the Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
. He holds the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I record for the highest single-season rebound
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
average when he grabbed 25.6 rpg in 1954–55.
Considered the greatest rebounder in college basketball history, he had his Marshall
uniform number (#17) retired in January 2000. In his four year career with the Thundering Herd
Marshall Thundering Herd men's basketball
The Marshall Thundering Herd men's basketball team is a basketball team from Marshall University in Huntington, West VirginiaNew head coach Tom Herrion will lead the Thundering Herd starting the 2010 season....
, from 1952–53 to 1955–56, Slack compiled 1,916 career rebounds, which is third all-time behind Tom Gola
Tom Gola
Thomas Joseph Gola is a retired American basketball player.-Early Life:Gola was praised as a great all-around player as a high school student at La Salle College High School, where he led the Explorers to a Philadelphia Catholic League Championship...
's 2,201 and Joe Holup
Joe Holup
Joseph J. "Joe" Holup was an American professional basketball player.A 6'6' forward, Holup starred at George Washington University from 1953 to 1956. He tallied 2,226 points and 2,030 rebounds in 104 varsity games, and led the NCAA in rebounds per game during the 1955–56 season...
's 2,030. 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
Bill Chambers (basketball)
William B. "Bill" Chambers is an American former college basketball player for the William & Mary Tribe.He attended E. C...
' 51. 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. A prodigious rebounder, he also scored 1,551 points during his career.
Although he was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1956 NBA Draft
1956 NBA Draft
The 1956 NBA Draft was the 10th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 30, 1956 before the 1956–57 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players...
, he never played professionally. He was, however, an alternate for the 1960 United States men's basketball team at the Olympics
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics was the fifth appearance of the sport in Olympic competition. 16 nations were admitted into the Olympic tournament, with many others being eliminated in a pre-Olympic tournament held earlier in the year from 13 to 20 August 1960 at the Sports Palace at Bologna...
. Slack was also a member of the varsity football team and was inducted into the Marshall University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 for being a dual-sport star.