University of North Carolina Athletics
Charlie Justice Hall of Honor Dedication
November 17, 2001 | Football
Nov. 17, 2001
Photo Gallery I | Photo Gallery II
On Friday evening, members of the "Golden Age" of the UNC football program gathered at the Kenan Football Center for the dedication of the "Charlie Justice Hall of Honor." Among those involved in the festivities were head coach John Bunting, Chancellor James Moeser, Athletic Director Dick Baddour, 1940s team photographer Hugh Morton, former letterwinner Bob Cox (who helped organize the reunion) and several former players, family and friends.
The Justice Era teams (1946-47-48-49) won 32 games and lost only nine, were ranked in the Top Ten of the Associated Press poll three times and went to the Sugar Bowl twice and the Cotton Bowl once. The 1948 team was unbeaten until it lost to Oklahoma 14-6 in the Sugar Bowl. The four teams had a 4-0 record against arch rival Duke, were 3-1 against Wake Forest and 3-0 against N.C. State.
"I tell the current players all the time that the foundation of this football program was laid in the 1940s when you guys came here and did what you did," said Baddour at Friday's dedication ceremony.
The reunion was originally scheduled the second week in September but was postponed following the devastating terrorist attack of Sept. 11. The players and special guests gathered first for a golf outing on Friday, Nov. 16, at Finley Golf Course.
The dedication ceremony was followed by a dinner at the Pope VIP Box at Kenan Stadium. On Saturday morning they will have a time of reminiscing at the Radisson Governors Inn, then attend the noon football game and gather Saturday evening for a banquet at the Radisson.
Leaders of the four teams will be recognized at halftime of the Duke football game: Ralph Strayhorn, co-captain in 1946, Joe Wright, co-captain in 1947, Art Weiner, All-American in 1948, and Justice, captain in 1949. Also at halftime results to date of a major fund-raising campaign for the establishment of a Justice Era Endowment will be announced. The endowment is intended to benefit the football program as a whole.
"You could start a real argument around here about who is the most exciting basketball player in school history," said Morton. "But if you asked anyone who is the most exciting football player in school history, the answer would be 'Charles Choo-Choo Justice' - hands down, no questions."
Justice, the triple-threat tailback star of the team, was best known for his zig-zag running but also was an outstanding passer and punter. He was twice runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, was named outstanding player in the then-famous College All-Star game after graduation and later played with the Washington Redskins. Generally recognized as the most celebrated college athlete in the history of North Carolina, Justice was honored for his long-time contributions to the University with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2000. Justice, Weiner and their coach, the late Carl Snavely, all are members of the National Football Hall of Fame.
