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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