Sport(s) Basketball Overall 51–57 | Position(s) Guard Name Charlie Black | |
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Died December 14, 1988(1988-12-14) (aged 87)Citrus Heights, California | ||
Charles Terence "Charlie" Black (January 5, 1901 – December 14, 1988) was an American standout college basketball player for the University of Kansas in the early 1920s, and, later, the head coach for the University of Nebraska for six seasons.
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Player
Black enrolled at Kansas in the fall of 1920 and became eligible to play for the men’s basketball team in his sophomore year of 1921–22. Playing for Hall of Fame coach Phog Allen, he helped guide the Jayhawks to three Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championships and two retroactively named national championships during his three-year playing career. Kansas accumulated a 49–6 overall record (47–3 in conference play) while Black played for the team. He was a two-time all-conference, two-time All-American and one-time Helms Foundation National Player of the Year.
In 1921–22, the Jayhawks went 16–2 (15–1 MVC) to win their first of two consecutive national championships and first of six consecutive conference championships. It was their best record in seven years, and Black’s ability at the guard position alongside Paul Endacott was the biggest reason for their success. The following year, Black’s junior season, Kansas finished 17–1 (16–0 MVC). In 1923–24, his senior year, Kansas failed to win their third straight national championship when they finished 16–3. However, they finished 15–1 and claimed another Missouri Valley Conference title.
Black was named a Helms Foundation All-American in his final two seasons. Helms also honored him as their national player of the year following the 1923–24 season, making him the second player in a row from Kansas to be given that honor (Endacott earned it in 1922–23) and also the school's second overall recipient.
Coach
Several years after finishing his playing career at Kansas, Black became the head coach for the men’s basketball team at Nebraska. He served at this position from 1926–27 through 1931–32 and compiled an overall record of 51–57, including a 5–7 record against his alma mater.