Newton third National Basketball Hall of Fame member to visit this week
When C.M. Newton watched his grandson, Charles, play Thursday night for the Golden Eagles, he was the third member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame to visit Eblen Center and the men's basketball program within a week.
Photo: Golden Eagle Charles Martin Newton III
presented Thursday's game ball to Hall of Fame legend -- and his
grandfather -- C.M. Newton. Pictured are, from left, Tech head
coach Mike Sutton, Charles Martin Newton III, C.M. Newton, parents
Charles Jr. and Cindy Newton and TTU President Bob
Bell.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.. -- Within a week's span, three members of the
National Basketball Hall of Fame have visited Tennessee Tech's
Eblen Center and the Golden Eagle men's basketball program. The
latest was C.M. Newton, who was in the stands Thursday night to
watch his grandson, Charles Newton III, play a role in Tech's
exhibition victory over Carson-Newman College.
After the game, Charles presented the game ball to his
grandfather.
C.M. Newton is a familiar name throughout the region. He is a
former coach at Vanderbilt and Alabama, former Director of
Athletics at Kentucky, and former chairman of the NCAA Men's
Basketball Committee.
On Thursday, a rare chance to see his grandson perform, the younger
Newton had an outstanding game. He was 2-for-3 from long range and
finished with six points, four assists and three steals as Tech
claimed a 95-46 victory to get the season underway. Joining C.M.
Newton in the crowd were Charles' parents, Charles Jr. and Cindy
Newton.
Just last Sunday, coach Mike Sutton and the Golden Eagles hosted an
event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Earl Lloyd's historic
appearance in the NBA, making him the first African-American in the
league's history. In addition to Lloyd, the event included Hall of
Famer Bob Lanier.
The Golden Eagle basketball team gets the regular season underway
Friday with a game at North Carolina State.
