NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University mourns the loss of former Spartan men's basketball coach Charles Christian, who passed away on Monday at his home in Suffolk after a brief illness. He was 83.

Christian spent 14 memorable seasons as NSU men's basketball coach in two different stints (1973-78, 1981-90). He has the most wins of any men's basketball coach in school history. His career record was 319-95, a .770 winning percentage. Christian helped the Spartans capture seven CIAA Tournament championships and post 11 seasons of at least 20 victories. His teams also won three Division II regional tournament titles, advancing to the Division II national quarterfinals each time.

Christian was named CIAA men's basketball coach of the year four times and was recently named one of the 12 coaching legends in CIAA lore according to ESPN.com. He is a member of both the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame and the NSU Athletics Foundation Sports Hall of Fame.

“We are sorry to hear about the passing of coach Christian. His memory will live on at Norfolk State University because he was one of the major reasons for the success of the basketball program during the CIAA years,” NSU athletics director Marty L. Miller said. “We loved coach Christian and will miss him. We extend our condolences to his family.”

Funeral arrangements for Christian are as follows:

Wake
Friday, April 8 - First Baptist Church, 112 Mahan Street, Suffolk, Va.
7 p.m.

Funeral Service
Saturday, April 9 - Tabernacle Christian Church, 2500 East Washington Street, Suffolk, Va. 
11:30 a.m. - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Memorial Service
1 p.m. - Funeral Service

Contact
Crocker Funeral Home
900 East Washington Street
Suffolk, Va.
(757) 539-7443