1992 Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: MULTIPLE SPORTS
Parents: Joseph and Lois Thrash
Daughter: Doris
Sons: Arthur, Chuckie
While at Flint Central, Charlie was a two sport star. He was on the track team participating in the broad jump and pole vault and an outstanding halfback on the football team. In track he was the Saginaw Valley Broad Jump Champion leaping 21’6.” At the 1954 Central Michigan relays Charlie won the broad jump with a leap of 2l’6.” In the Valley he also tied for first with a vault of 9 feet.
Charlie was an outstanding football player at halfback for three years. He earned All Valley honors in his sophomore, junior and senior years. He had the speed and ability to out maneuver opposing tacklers, but he would rather run over them, and that type of running almost cost him his career. In his sophomore year he led the team in rushing with 532 yards. He was selected on the All City and Saginaw Valley All Star teams. He was a passer as well as a runner. In 1954 with Charlie at halfback and Joe Quarles at left end Central was one of the area’s best football teams. Charlie had a record 85 yard touchdown run against Muskegon. Once again he led his team in rushing, with 925 yards, and lead the team in touchdowns with 10. Rated the Valleys best halfback, he won the league scoring title with 36 points. Charlie earned honors on the All City team, Unanimous All Valley and first team on the Detroit Times All State, second team U.P. and Associated Press. Charlie was injured his senior year, however, his determination and hard work paid off. He was second in team scoring and led his team in rushing with 784 yards. He won selection as All Valley halfback, and was second in City Series scoring, Northern vs. Central, with 24 points. He was awarded second team All State Detroit Times, third team All Stale Detroit Free Press in 1955.
Charlie retired from G.M.
