Charley Eckman, a sports broadcaster, former NBA referee and coach known for his colorful ways and truisms, died Monday after a long bout with colon cancer. He was 73.
Mr. Eckman, who was known as "the coach" during his broadcasting career, died at his home.
"Charley said he only knew two plays: put the ball in the basket and South Pacific," said his friend, John Steadman, a veteran Baltimore sportswriter.
During the 1950s, he coached the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, then the Detroit Pistons when the team moved to Detroit in 1957.
Mr. Eckman, who had a lifetime coaching record of 123-118, led the Pistons to two Western Division championships when they were in Fort Wayne but his stay in Detroit was brief. He was fired after leading the Pistons to a 9-16 start their first season in their new home.
He also coached the winning team in the NBA All-Star Game in 1955.
Mr. Eckman put a colorful spin even on his own dismissal by the Pistons.
Team owner Fred Zollner called Mr. Eckman one day and said he had some news: There were going to be some changes in his department.
"Charley said: 'Since I was the only one in my department, I guess I knew I was fired,' " said Steadman, a columnist for the Baltimore Sun.
Mr. Eckman also refereed in the NBA and the Atlantic Coast Conference, officiating in the first NBA All-Star Game
Mr. Eckman, a native of Baltimore, first began refereeing at 16. By World War II, he had built such a reputation as an entertaining official that he was flown all over the western United States to referee in service games.
"I've never known a greater extrovert than Charley," Steadman said. "When he called a foul . . . he'd be screaming and he'd be gyrating. NO! NO! NO! You can't cheat. You can't take an extra step."
He is survived by his wife, Wilma, and four children - his son Barry Eckman, and daughters Janet Eckman, Linda Watts and Gail Conner.
As published in Journal Gazette, The (Fort Wayne, IN) - Tuesday, July 4, 1995
Mr. Eckman, who was known as "the coach" during his broadcasting career, died at his home.
"Charley said he only knew two plays: put the ball in the basket and South Pacific," said his friend, John Steadman, a veteran Baltimore sportswriter.
During the 1950s, he coached the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, then the Detroit Pistons when the team moved to Detroit in 1957.
Mr. Eckman, who had a lifetime coaching record of 123-118, led the Pistons to two Western Division championships when they were in Fort Wayne but his stay in Detroit was brief. He was fired after leading the Pistons to a 9-16 start their first season in their new home.
He also coached the winning team in the NBA All-Star Game in 1955.
Mr. Eckman put a colorful spin even on his own dismissal by the Pistons.
Team owner Fred Zollner called Mr. Eckman one day and said he had some news: There were going to be some changes in his department.
"Charley said: 'Since I was the only one in my department, I guess I knew I was fired,' " said Steadman, a columnist for the Baltimore Sun.
Mr. Eckman also refereed in the NBA and the Atlantic Coast Conference, officiating in the first NBA All-Star Game
Mr. Eckman, a native of Baltimore, first began refereeing at 16. By World War II, he had built such a reputation as an entertaining official that he was flown all over the western United States to referee in service games.
"I've never known a greater extrovert than Charley," Steadman said. "When he called a foul . . . he'd be screaming and he'd be gyrating. NO! NO! NO! You can't cheat. You can't take an extra step."
He is survived by his wife, Wilma, and four children - his son Barry Eckman, and daughters Janet Eckman, Linda Watts and Gail Conner.
As published in Journal Gazette, The (Fort Wayne, IN) - Tuesday, July 4, 1995
Charley Eckman, a sports broadcaster, former NBA referee and coach known for his colorful ways and truisms, died Monday after a long bout with colon cancer. He was 73.
Mr. Eckman, who was known as "the coach" during his broadcasting career, died at his home.
"Charley said he only knew two plays: put the ball in the basket and South Pacific," said his friend, John Steadman, a veteran Baltimore sportswriter.
During the 1950s, he coached the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, then the Detroit Pistons when the team moved to Detroit in 1957.
Mr. Eckman, who had a lifetime coaching record of 123-118, led the Pistons to two Western Division championships when they were in Fort Wayne but his stay in Detroit was brief. He was fired after leading the Pistons to a 9-16 start their first season in their new home.
He also coached the winning team in the NBA All-Star Game in 1955.
Mr. Eckman put a colorful spin even on his own dismissal by the Pistons.
Team owner Fred Zollner called Mr. Eckman one day and said he had some news: There were going to be some changes in his department.
"Charley said: 'Since I was the only one in my department, I guess I knew I was fired,' " said Steadman, a columnist for the Baltimore Sun.
Mr. Eckman also refereed in the NBA and the Atlantic Coast Conference, officiating in the first NBA All-Star Game
Mr. Eckman, a native of Baltimore, first began refereeing at 16. By World War II, he had built such a reputation as an entertaining official that he was flown all over the western United States to referee in service games.
"I've never known a greater extrovert than Charley," Steadman said. "When he called a foul . . . he'd be screaming and he'd be gyrating. NO! NO! NO! You can't cheat. You can't take an extra step."
He is survived by his wife, Wilma, and four children - his son Barry Eckman, and daughters Janet Eckman, Linda Watts and Gail Conner.
As published in Journal Gazette, The (Fort Wayne, IN) - Tuesday, July 4, 1995
Mr. Eckman, who was known as "the coach" during his broadcasting career, died at his home.
"Charley said he only knew two plays: put the ball in the basket and South Pacific," said his friend, John Steadman, a veteran Baltimore sportswriter.
During the 1950s, he coached the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, then the Detroit Pistons when the team moved to Detroit in 1957.
Mr. Eckman, who had a lifetime coaching record of 123-118, led the Pistons to two Western Division championships when they were in Fort Wayne but his stay in Detroit was brief. He was fired after leading the Pistons to a 9-16 start their first season in their new home.
He also coached the winning team in the NBA All-Star Game in 1955.
Mr. Eckman put a colorful spin even on his own dismissal by the Pistons.
Team owner Fred Zollner called Mr. Eckman one day and said he had some news: There were going to be some changes in his department.
"Charley said: 'Since I was the only one in my department, I guess I knew I was fired,' " said Steadman, a columnist for the Baltimore Sun.
Mr. Eckman also refereed in the NBA and the Atlantic Coast Conference, officiating in the first NBA All-Star Game
Mr. Eckman, a native of Baltimore, first began refereeing at 16. By World War II, he had built such a reputation as an entertaining official that he was flown all over the western United States to referee in service games.
"I've never known a greater extrovert than Charley," Steadman said. "When he called a foul . . . he'd be screaming and he'd be gyrating. NO! NO! NO! You can't cheat. You can't take an extra step."
He is survived by his wife, Wilma, and four children - his son Barry Eckman, and daughters Janet Eckman, Linda Watts and Gail Conner.
As published in Journal Gazette, The (Fort Wayne, IN) - Tuesday, July 4, 1995
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