TO THE EDITOR:
A story about Charles Scott, first Black basketball star — recruited by Coach Dean Smith — with my help.
He asked me to meet Charlie’s stepfather. He quizzed me completely about playing for UNC. He then had Charlie switch from Davidson to UNC.
Dean roomed Charlie with my son, Richard. Suitemates were Jim Delany (now commissioner of the Big Ten) and Eddie Fogler (captain.) I called my son the fifth night to caution him about being friendly to Charlie and help him socially. Rick said, “Do me a favor Dad. Worry about me — not Charlie. He has a date every night, and I haven’t talked to a girl!”
When I played in the 100th anniversary game, as I got off the court, Charlie said, “If you were as fast as your father — you would have played a little more!”
Robert S. Gersten
Class of ’42
