Photo: Golden Eagle Charles Martin Newton III presented Thursday's game ball to Hall of Fame legend -- and his grandfather -- C.M. Newton. Pictured are, from left, Tech head coach Mike Sutton, Charles Martin Newton III, C.M. Newton, parents Charles Jr. and Cindy Newton and TTU President Bob Bell.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.. -- Within a week's span, three members of the National Basketball Hall of Fame have visited Tennessee Tech's Eblen Center and the Golden Eagle men's basketball program. The latest was C.M. Newton, who was in the stands Thursday night to watch his grandson, Charles Newton III, play a role in Tech's exhibition victory over Carson-Newman College.

After the game, Charles presented the game ball to his grandfather.

C.M. Newton is a familiar name throughout the region. He is a former coach at Vanderbilt and Alabama, former Director of Athletics at Kentucky, and former chairman of the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee.

On Thursday, a rare chance to see his grandson perform, the younger Newton had an outstanding game. He was 2-for-3 from long range and finished with six points, four assists and three steals as Tech claimed a 95-46 victory to get the season underway. Joining C.M. Newton in the crowd were Charles' parents, Charles Jr. and Cindy Newton.

Just last Sunday, coach Mike Sutton and the Golden Eagles hosted an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Earl Lloyd's historic appearance in the NBA, making him the first African-American in the league's history. In addition to Lloyd, the event included Hall of Famer Bob Lanier.

The Golden Eagle basketball team gets the regular season underway Friday with a game at North Carolina State.