THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 1, 1996 TAG: 9608010012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 26 lines
The greatest one-two punch in Hampton Roads basketball history was that of Charles Bonaparte and Bob Dandridge of Norfolk State. Bob Dandridge went on to stardom in the NBA. Charles Bonaparte was just as good, but there was not a role for him in the NBA. His forte was a ``downtown jumper'' from midcourt that would ``hit nothing but net.'' When his shots ``swished,'' there would be a loud ``whoomph'' that would resound through the gym at Norfolk State.
Charles Bonaparte's death this week at age 49 comes as a shock to the athletic community. A social studies teacher in Richmond, his legacy at Norfolk State will not be forgotten. Dick Price, Norfolk State's athletic director, specifically remembered Charles in the Memories in Sports telecast produced by Cox Cable and WTKR last October.
I would like for Charles Bonaparte's family and friends to know of the tremendous enjoyment that he and Bob Dandridge, in tandem, provided sports fans during an exciting period in Hampton Roads sports history.
MONTGOMERY KNIGHT JR.
Past president
Norfolk Sports Club
Norfolk, July 24, 1996 by CNB