A Legend Passes: Cecil K. Watkins

Cecil K. Watkins passed away early Saturday morning after losing the battle with Pancreatic cancer. This according to Jim Fox, treasurer and member of the executive committee of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Fox says that Mr. Watkins was 76 years old.

Mr. Watkins was the governor and boys basketball chairman of the New York Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union, a youth sport organization dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports programs. The basketball programs are designed to initiate, stimulate, and improve opportunities for amateur basketball competition and to promote and develop leadership, sportsmanship, fitness, and athletic excellence.

As evidence of Mr. Watkins dedication, Fox said, "On Monday, even though he was extremely ill and had just finished treatment, Cecil tried to come to the executive board meeting but was too sick to make it up stairs, so I went downstairs. He said to me, 'Just tell them that I tried.' That's the kind of man that he was."

Watkins was also the president and CEO of National Pro-Am City Leagues Association, Inc., a not-for-profit community service organization that specializes in developing and administering turnkey sports league programs and high visibility sporting events in major urban and suburban areas across the country. In addition, the organization is widely recognized as a premier venue for youth and adults to acquire professional experience and employment in all aspects of sports administration.

Mr. Watkins was respected nationwide for his knowledge and leadership in sports and community recreation. Prior to his current leadership roles, Mr. Watkins held various positions, including director of recreation of New York City's Department of Parks & Recreation, director of community and special programs for the National Basketball Association, and served in the Army as a recreation specialist for two years. He established the prestigious Ray Felix Summer League, which evolved into City-Wide, a nationally recognized summer basketball program in New York City. He co-founded the Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Inc., a human service agency serving Corona, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica in Queens, New York. In the past 36 years, he has secured more than 1,800 scholarships for student athletes from the New York metropolitan area.

Mr. Watkins had received more than 100 awards, including the Basketball Congress International Commissioner of the Year Award, Boy Scouts of America Recognition Award, and Queensboro President Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of the Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame and New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

He earned his B.A. and M.A. in sports administration and management from Adelphi University and is survived by his wife Valerie and two children, Kara and Keri.

Fox said that he will notify NYCHoops.net with regard to funeral arrangements.