Courier columnist Bill Neal recalls the life and legacy of Connie Hawkins
It was the summer of ‘75. I was coming off my four-year run at Slippery Rock University, sheepskin in hand and set to change the world. Homewood-Brushton YMCA Director Joe Lewis hired me as Program Director and asked me to create a program that would unite the community. Connie Hawkins, Kenny Durrett, Big Will Graham and Jumpin’ Jim McCoy were working out in our newly-built gym. I asked Connie if I could name a basketball league after him and this is how history was set in motion.
Admittedly, as a lifetime football player out of Penn Hills and “The Rock,” I had a lot to learn about constructing the next part of the Connie Hawkins legacy. It’s important to note that after getting his OK to use his name, Connie never asked a question or had a problem with how I ran the league and represented his name.
Connie Hawkins died Oct. 6 at age 75. But by now you certainly know that “The Hawk” was Brooklyn-born and is still recognized as one of New York’s all-time greatest schoolyard legends. After a series of events Connie migrated to Pittsburgh. Playing for the Pittsburgh Rens and then the Pipers. After a short run with the globetrotters and suing the NBA for a cool million and a half, Connie entered the NBA and played four all-star seasons with the Phoenix Suns. After a lot of points, dunks and high-flying moves, Connie joined his ranks in the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. To get the entire scoop read the book “Foul” by David Wolf.
A star-studded career to be sure. Most Valuable Player for the Rens at age 19 in the ABA— Pittsburgh Pipers regular season and playoff MVP—Pipers ABA Championship in 1968— led the ABA in scoring—four-time All-Star with the Suns—played with the Suns, Lakers, Hawks and Italy—first NBA season Rookie of the Year and First Team NBA.
Let’s go all the way back…You remember, Phase I—500-plus every night behind the “Y.” Phase II—750 to 1,000 people every night at East Hills Park. Phase III—The final run at Pennley Park, aka “Champions Park.” Only 300 to 500 nightly but it showcased the then-future stars, moving the legends to the sidelines.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution ranked the Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League as top five in the nation behind the Rucker League in New York, the L.A. League, the Sonny Hill League in Philly and the Coalition League in D.C. (Note—all other leagues played in cities that had NBA teams.)
Just a few of the great players that laced them up in the league—Connie Hawkins himself, Kenny Durrett, Will Graham, Norm Nixon, Ron Carter, John Marshall, Craig Prosser, Sam Clancy, Bill Clarke, Leroy Freeman, Kevin Price, Hosea Champaine, Tim Appleton, Jeep Kelly, Ricky Coleman, Armen Gilliam, Warren Wilson, Tom “Bum” Coates, David Kennedy, Billy Varner, Bobby Byrd, Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, Myron Brown, Kirk Bruce, Eric Carter, Reggie Dukes, Larry Harris, Clyde Vaughn, Frank Foster, Darryl Porter, Curtis Aiken, Stu Lyon, Nate Duck, John “Shanghi” Mathews, Jeff Burton, Eric Jefferson, Eddie Benton, Clyde Manns, Kevin Murphy, “Magic Mike” Williams, Davis “Dr. Death” Trent, Rico Appendanza, Kevin Walls, George Harvey, Houn Johnson, Darin Walls, Darryll Gissendanner, Ricardo Greer, Barry and Gary Nelson, Ronnie McRae, Morrie Cox, “Levi,” “Junebug,” George Allen, Chris Seneca, Jimmy Nick and on and on—150 players every summer—8 weeks a summer—35 consecutive years—300 to 1000 people per night—never a major injury—never an on-the-court fight—celebrity guests included Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Blair Underwood, L.C. Greenwood, Dwayne Woodruff, Mayor Richard Caliguiri, and a cast of thousands.
Connie was not only a world class player, but a world class person as well. Kind, quiet, generous, intelligent, worldly and down to earth. If he wasn’t 6’9” you could be in a room with Connie and never know who he was and what he accomplished.
At our Willie Stargell Banquet in 1987, “Dr. J” told a crowd of 1200 people that had there not been a Connie Hawkins, there may not have been a “Dr. J.”
Connie, I owe my professional career to you. It all started with your name in 1975 and led to 44 years of fabulous community service. God bless you as you join Heaven’s Hoopers – Larry Richardson, Darryll Gissendanner, Houn Johnson, Armen Gilliam, Leroy Freeman, “Moon,” George Harvey, “Shanghi” Matthews, Maurice Lucas, Jeep Kelly, Sonny Lewis, and “Juice” Walker.
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