CSUDH Scholar-Athlete Award Named in Honor of Dr. Hal Charnofsky
Late CSUDH Faculty Athletic Representative to be memorialized in top scholar-athlete award
May 5, 2003

CARSON, Calif. -- The Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics Department will recognize its former longtime Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR), Dr. Hal Charnofsky, by naming its annual scholar athlete award in his honor. The first Dr. Hal Charnofsky Memorial Scholar Athlete Award will be given out on Tuesday, May 13 at the annual CSUDH Athletics Award Reception.

Dr. Charnofsky, who lost his battle with cancer on December 21, 2002 at the age of 71, served as the Toros only FAR the athletics department ever had. Charnofsky joined the faculty at Cal State Dominguez Hills as founding faculty of the Sociology Department in 1966. He took over the FAR's responsibilities when CSUDH began intercollegiate competition in 1968.

The esteemed professor's long and prosperous career at CSUDH was marked by success, optimism and an open mind. In 1990, he was selected as the campus' Outstanding Professor. Two years later, he was awarded the CSU system-wide Outstanding Professor award. Dr. Charnofsky founded the Marriage, Family and Child Counseling program in 1980, which has now become the Marriage and Family Therapy program.

"Hal was not only respected by his peers at CSUDH, but all throughout the CSU system," says Toros Athletics Director Ron Prettyman. "His dedication and devotion to our student-athletes was beyond compare. His absence has left a void in the athletics department and he is certainly missed. By naming our top annual academic award in his honor, we will help memorialize his vast contributions made to our students and the university."

A star athlete, Charnofsky was an All-American baseball player in 1952 at USC, where he played along side his brother Stanley, at shortstop. His success in baseball continued professionally in the Yankee organization, and even served as a player-manager, yet he never lost sight of his education. He earned his master's degree in secondary education at USC in 1957 and eventually his doctorate in 1966 with the dissertation, The Major League Baseball Player. A Sociological Study.

The awards reception will be held on campus at the Aquatics Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and admission in free.