Already one of the best-known basketball players to come out of New York, Red Holzman returned to the city after two years at the University of Baltimore. He enrolled at the City College of New York and continued his college basketball career under the tutelage of the great Nat Holman (one of the “Original Celtics”), culminating with his graduation in 1942. CCNY posted a 17-5 record in 1940-41 and went 16-3 in Red's senior year of 1941-42 as an Independent (no postseason). In normal times Red would have quickly embarked on a career in professional basketball, but World War II was raging so he instead spent the next two years in the US Navy.

It is interesting to wonder if Red kept this engraved CCNY basketball charm close while he was away serving his country, waiting for the war to end so he could continue his basketball career. The basketball-shaped fob (charm) is a half inch in diameter and is engraved with “CCNY” and the year of his graduation, “42.” The charm is suspended from a matching silver-colored chain with a brass colored ring. The piece shows ample wear with scuffs and tarnishing along with some of the silver colored surface worn away with age. Despite the well-loved condition of the charm, the engraving has remained clearly legible. A very unique item from Red Holzman’s formative years as a college star before he went on to win an NBA title as a player and two more as the Knicks Hall of Fame coach. This piece comes from the personal collection of the late Red Holzman with a letter from his family.