McKendree University Athletics

Charles “Chuck” Garrett was an all-state high school basketball player for Centralia. Unhappy at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, he transferred his freshman year to McKendree College. He played on both basketball and baseball teams. He is considered one of McKendree’s outstanding guards. Chuck was a captain, team leader, top scorer, defensive player and four year letter winner under Coaches “Barney” Oldfield and Lou Veseley.
Chuck held the single game scoring record of 43 points and was a four=year starter on the basketball team. He also ranked in the top ten NAIA free-throw shooters for two seasons.
His career in basketball continued after leaving McKendree. He coached two seasons at the high school level before taking a graduate assistant position at SIU Carbondale, working for Jack Hartman. Following a year as an assistant at North Texas State University, he rejoined Jack Hartman at Kansas State University as a head assistant, responsible for recruiting players for the Wildcat teams that went to the Big Eight Title Games and national rankings.
Chuck was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1975 while on a recruiting assignment. He is remembered today as a warm, friendly individual, loved by all McKendreans, students, faculty and townspeople.