Hardnett attended Carver High School in Atlanta from 1955 to 1958. While in High School, Hardnett played three sports including basketball, football, and baseball. He earned several honors as an athlete and student while at Carver, and was the only male athlete to attend and graduate college in his graduating class. His accomplishments as a high school student-athlete are as follows:
All-City in Football – Junior(1957) and Senior (1958)
All-City in Basketball – Junior(1957) and Senior (1958)
All-State in Basketball – Senior (1958)
State Tournament MVP – Senior (1958)
Black High School All-American Team – Senior (1958)
Hardnett went to Grambling College in 1958, and became an instant success. He was coached by Fred Hobdy who coached at Grambling for 30 seasons. During his days at Grambling, Hardnett played with players such as Willis Reed. During his years at Grambling, Hardnett amassed the following honors:
1958–1959
First year starter
Led the team in rebounding
1959–1960
Most Valuable Player – Georgia Invitational Tournament, Atlanta
NAIA All-American Team
Selected to the NAIA All-Stars that participated in the 1960 Olympic Trials Beat Ohio State (1960 NCAA Champions) in the first round
First Team All-SWAC
1960–1961
NAIA All-American
NAIA Tournament MVP
NAIA All-Tournament Team
Basketball Player of the year award – 100% Tip-Off Club Atlanta
Chuck Taylor All-American Second Team Only small college player selected
First Team All-SWAC
NAIA Basketball Championship 2nd HBCU to win the event (Only National Championship for Grambling)
1961–62
NAIA All-American Team
Chuck Taylor All-American First Team Only small college player selected
First Team All-SWAC
Hardnett scored over 2,000 points in his career at Grambling and grabbed over 2,000 rebounds (16.9 RPG—First All-Time at Grambling). In addition, Hardnett was drafted by the NBA and became the First African-American drafted by the NBA from the state of Georgia, the second Player drafted by the NBA from Grambling, and only the third African-American drafted by the NBA from an HBCU in the state of Louisiana. In 1973, Hardnett was elected to the NAIA Hall of Fame as an athlete.
Cover for NAIA HOF Luncheon Program (1973)
Pages 1 and 2 of HOF Luncheon Program (1973)
Page 3 of HOF Luncheon Program (1973)
Page 4 and back cover of HOF Luncheon Program (1973)
2009
Inducted into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame at the inaugural induction ceremony July 18, 2009, Monroe, Louisiana.
Hardnett's professional basketball career started by being drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 3rd round of the 1962 NBA draft. He played in Chicago for the Zephyrs and in Baltimore for the Bullets. After the NBA, Hardnett went on to play in the CBA Eastern League. He played three more years of professional basketball for the Harrisburg Patriots and the Scranton Miners.
Head Shot for Chicago Zephyrs
Baltimore Bullets
Baltimore Bullets Action
Baltimore Bullets
Coaching career
Charles Hardnett
After a successful playing career, Hardnett entered a career of coaching. His coaching career would have him serve as the Head Basketball Coach at Coppin State in Baltimore and at Morris Brown College in Atlanta. During his career at Morris Brown College he served quadruple duties as the Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Head Baseball Coach, and Head Golf Coach. He coached for 12 years and amassed a 160–150 coaching record. During his coaching career, Hardnett had the following highlights:
Finished 3rd in Conference Tournament twice (??, ??)
Took Coppin State to NAIA District 19 Playoffs twice (??, ??)
Players for Charles Hardnett - 1 Player Drafted by the NBA (Name and Year) - 7 Players on All-Conference Teams (Names and Years) - 3 Players on All-Tournament Teams (Names and Years)
Named the Coach of the Year twice (team years)
Named Atlanta University Coach of the Year in 1980, Presented at Extra Point Club, Inc. of Atlanta
Family
Charles Hardnett was married to Bernice Hardnett, and lived in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his wife had three children: Dana S. Hardnett, Charles R. Hardnett (married to Felicia A. Hardnett), and Derek W. Hardnett (married to Quovardis Hardnett). He and his wife had several grandchildren: Daveon, Wendy, William, Derek, Jeremy, Erin, and Charles Jr. (CJ).
