Celebrating the Legacy of Cecil Watkins: A True Basketball Pioneer

A Personal Journey with Cecil Watkins

When I started at the NBA league office back in December of 1980, Cecil Watkins was right at my side. In a matter of minutes, we bonded. I could tell I had met a man who was as sincere as he was connected, a man who knew the game and loved it deeply. Cecil was the Assistant Director of Officiating and ran the Pro-Am basketball program. This program was a major lifeline for identifying, training, and cultivating NBA officials before they were game-tested in the CBA and, eventually, the NBA.

Cecil hailed from Westbury, NY (Long Island), a place known for its rich basketball talent—a true hoops hotbed! Great players like Joe DuPree and Richie Gilkes attended Westbury High School, which served as a pipeline to the St. John's University Redmen.

Today, we gather to honor Cecil's memory. Retired St. John's Coach Lou Carnesecca, a Hall of Famer, will speak at his service in Garden City, NY. Like Lou, I cherished my time with Cecil. He was "good people." We always found time to catch up, talk St. John's hoops, and, sadly, lament the current situation while reminiscing about the fond memories of days gone by—BIG EAST championships and sold-out games at Madison Square Garden.

Memorable Moments in Basketball History

I remember one BIG EAST tournament when Cecil invited me to join him at the finals. St. John's faced off against Boston College, and Billy Goodwin hopped up on the rim at the Eighth Avenue end of the Garden, proudly displaying a "We Are St. John's" sign. Cecil had some sweet tickets that day, and I was thrilled to witness such a monumental moment in SJU basketball history.

I will miss Cecil a lot. However, I will smile today, knowing he led a great life. His family—wife Valierie and daughters Keri and Kari—should be incredibly proud of their husband and father.

Cecil Watkins: A Legacy of Giving Back

Cecil Kenneth Watkins passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2009, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Valerie Morgan Watkins, daughters Kara Watkins Tillman and Keri Watkins, and a host of family and friends who will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his brother, LeRoy Watkins, Sr., sister, Henrietta "Mazie" Smith, and nephew, Michael Velazquez.

Cecil was the President and CEO of the National Pro-Am City Leagues Association, Inc., a national organization dedicated to developing both players and referees for the NBA. He also served as the Governor and Boys Basketball Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and was an active board member for several organizations. During his 18 years with the NBA, he held various roles, including Director of Community and Special Programs and Assistant Supervisor of Officials. He co-founded and served as the executive director of ELMCOR Youth & Adult Activities, Inc., a community service organization serving East Elmhurst, Corona, and Jamaica.

Cecil was respected nationwide for his knowledge and leadership in sports and community recreation. His efforts were instrumental in providing countless inner-city youth with positive outlets to express themselves and grow through sports. In recent years, he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Adelphi University and was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Mannie Jackson-Basketball's Human Spirit Award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for NYS Basketball, NYC Basketball, ELMCOR, and Adelphi University.

The Impact of Cecil Watkins

Most importantly, Cecil made a difference in the lives of so many people. He was a gentle giant who transformed communities with his uncanny genius. He touched the hearts of those who knew him with his candor, humor, and generosity.

Adelphi President Robert A. Scott shared his thoughts on Cecil's passing: "Adelphi University mourns the loss of its distinguished alumnus and long-time friend, Cecil Watkins. His boundless goodwill and commitment to youth and sports had a tremendous impact on many lives. The University will deeply miss him and will continue to honor his extraordinary efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Valerie, daughters Kara and Keri, and the entire Watkins family."

Adelphi Associate Dean and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Robert E. Hartwell also reflected on Cecil's legacy: "Cecil Watkins had an incredible can-do approach to life, enabling him to provide life-changing experiences for many. Respected nationwide for his knowledge and leadership in sports and community recreation, we are proud that he is a member of the Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame. We shall never forget him, and he will always have a place in this program and in our hearts."

A Tribute from the Community

As noted by Rivals.com and NYCHoops.net, Mr. Watkins was the governor and boys basketball chairman of the New York Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union, a youth sports organization dedicated to promoting and developing amateur sports programs. The basketball programs aim to initiate, stimulate, and improve opportunities for amateur basketball competition while fostering leadership, sportsmanship, fitness, and athletic excellence.

Cecil's dedication was evident even in his final days. Fox recounted, "On Monday, even though he was extremely ill and had just finished treatment, Cecil tried to come to the executive board meeting but was too sick to make it upstairs. He said to me, 'Just tell them that I tried.' That's the kind of man he was."

Watkins was also the president and CEO of the National Pro-Am City Leagues Association, Inc., a not-for-profit community service organization specializing in developing and administering sports league programs and high-visibility sporting events across the country. The organization is recognized as a premier venue for youth and adults to gain professional experience and employment in sports administration.

Mr. Watkins held various positions throughout his career, including director of recreation for New York City's Department of Parks & Recreation and director of community and special programs for the NBA. He even served in the Army as a recreation specialist for two years. He established the prestigious Ray Felix Summer League, which evolved into City-Wide, a nationally recognized summer basketball program in New York City. In the past 36 years, he secured over 1,800 scholarships for student-athletes from the New York metropolitan area.

Honors and Recognition

Mr. Watkins received more than 100 awards, including the Basketball Congress International Commissioner of the Year Award, the Boy Scouts of America Recognition Award, and the Queensboro President Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of the Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

As NY Post writer Peter Vecsey eloquently stated, "Lou Carnesecca, former NBA referees Lee Jones and Ronnie Nunn, Queens borough president Helen Marshall, and 10 other speakers from the countless tributaries of Cecil Watkins' particularly giving life will honor him Sunday (3 p.m.) at The Center for Recreation and Sports at Adelphi University, mourning one of its most distinguished alumni. There are those who apparently make a difference, and then there was Watkins. He altered the reality of thousands, whole communities, with his supernatural aptitude for providing inner-city youth outlets to express themselves and grow through their participation in sports. Watkins, 79 when he died on Oct. 10 from pancreatic cancer, received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Adelphi in '07, was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (Manny Jackson Human Spirit Award), and was inducted into the HOF for NYS Basketball, NYC Basketball, ELMCOR, and Adelphi University. Valerie Morgan and Cecil were married for 46 years. After his most recent award, she asked him how he wanted to be remembered. He said: 'As someone who loved, cared, and gave back to the community.'"

There will never be another Cecil Watkins. If there is, that will be a hard act to follow!