A TRIBUTE TO A RENAISSANCE MAN
CHARLES “CHUCK” HAMBLET
APRIL 21, 1941 – JANUARY 9, 2010
DISTINGUISHED TRUSTEE OF THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL SPORT

“The best use of one’s life is to spend it on something that outlasts it.” -William James

From 2007-2010, Chuck Hamblet, Headmaster Emeritus of St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island, served with great distinction as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for International Sport. On January 9, 2010, Mr. Hamblet passed away after a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer. The following is a tribute to a beloved member of the Institute family.

MESSAGE FROM DAN DOYLE

I first met Chuck when he was the outstanding head boy’s basketball coach at Phillips Exeter Academy and I was the assistant men’s basketball coach at Brown University. We immediately struck up a friendship that would endure for over three decades.

By the time the Institute for International Sport decided to administer the World Scholar-Athlete Games in Newport in 1993, Chuck was already practicing his enlightened thinking as Headmaster at St. George’s. Prior to the decision to hold the ‘93 event in Newport was announced to the public, I approached Chuck to seek his advice. As I fully expected, his wisdom played a great role in our inaugural event, and from there, our friendship continued to grow.

On many occasions over the last seventeen years, whether it was a tennis match at St. George’s, attending a local basketball game, having dinner, or, at a later stage, visiting Chuck and Carol in North Carolina during his tenure as Headmaster at Westchester Country Day School, the more time I spent with him, the more I appreciated that Chuck Hamblet was one of the finest men I had ever been privileged to know.

One special day in March, 2008 will always stand out in my mind. Chuck and Carol invited me to visit Westchester Country Day to address the student body and, later that evening, the school parents. It was a wonderful day, full of various activities. Yet what struck me most about the experience were my conversations with Chuck’s board members, and other school parents. It was wonderful to hear how, in such a short period of time, Chuck had exerted such a profound effect on a school and community.

Three years ago, Chuck joined the board of the Institute for International Sport. He was a magnificent trustee, bringing to the board his wonderful combination of wisdom, civility, integrity, and goodwill. And we shared the same view of governance: caution, creativity, tolerance/latitude, moderation/discipline. These qualities, and so many others, were in evidence at the inspiring memorial service at St. George’s, one of the most poignant tributes I have ever attended.

It was an honor to have known Chuck Hamblet. He personified the ideal of the scholar-athlete, and he was the embodiment of a true friend.

MESSAGE FROM TIM FLAHERTY

Tim Flaherty was the first employee to be hired by Dan Doyle at the Institute for International Sport. Tim, and his older brother, Joe, both played for Chuck at Phillips-Exeter. Tim is now the Managing Director, U.S. Senior and U.S. Women’s Open Championships for the USGA.

I think Dan Doyle had people like Chuck Hamblet in mind when he created the Institute for International Sport. While Mr. Hamblet’s success at the helm of St. George’s speaks for itself, he was, at heart, a teacher and a coach. An educator first, he always knew the proper balance between academics and athletics. But he knew that basketball mattered to his players, that it was an important part of their lives. The competiveness he brought to practices and games made all his players realize that it mattered to him as well. As a teacher, coach and administrator he embodied and promoted the true spirit of the student-athlete; all of which the Institute seeks to highlight and encourage.

MESSAGES FROM MARTY BURCH AND ADOLPHE COULIBALY

There is a strong connection between Marty and Adolphe, and Chuck Hamblet, as there is a strong connection between these two splendid young men and the Institute for International Sport. Both Marty and Adolphe are graduates of the Scholar-Athlete Games, and both young men were recommended to Chuck and St. George’s by Dan Doyle. Marty and Adolphe compiled brilliant records as scholars and athletes at St. George’s. Marty went on to graduate from Davidson College and is now a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual Life. Adolphe went on to graduate from Amherst College and is now a teacher and boy’s basketball coach at Rocky Hill School in Rhode Island. On January 16, Adolphe and Marty joined Dan as ushers at Chuck Hamblet’s memorial service at St. George’s.

Chuck Hamblet was the most dignified leader I have been around. He was a leader who did not just speak, but one that shone in his actions. More can be said about Mr. Hamblet by the loyalty he fostered when he was not around. His presence inspired, and everyone in his community knew that their best interests were being tended to. Mr. Hamblet's legacy is one of caring; genuine caring and concern for everyone he taught, coached or led.
-Marty Burch

The famous African writer Amadou Hampate Ba once said “when an old man dies, it's a library burning”. Mr Hamblet’s expertise and wisdom were taken away from me too soon, but his impact on my life will forever remain. To me, he is an angel who positively influenced so many lives including my own. I certainly miss him and I do believe his legacy will never burn out.
-Adolphe Coulibaly

THREE BRILLIANT EULOGIES

The January 16, 2010 memorial service at St. George’s was an inspiring tribute to Chuck. The service included three profoundly meaningful eulogies. The eulogies were delivered by Chuck’s son Todd, and dear friends, Chris Harlow and Betsy Michel.

• View Todd Hamblet’s eulogy.
• View Chris Harlow’s eulogy.
• View Betsy Michel’s eulogy.

The Institute for International Sport extends our condolences to the Hamblet family over the passing of a truly great human being.