Former basketball coach Charlie Spoonhour is being remembered as a great guy off the court, that young coaches across Southwest Missouri could learn from.

As reported on HometownDailyNews.com Wednesday, Spoonhour lost his long battle with a lung disease, passing away at his family home in North Carolina.  He was the coach that helped put, what was then,Southwest Missouri Stateon the national map in the mid 80’s – with his Spoonball type of play, and creating a home court atmosphere at the HammonsCenter, known as Spoon’sTemple of Doom.

Al Waller, former College of the Ozarks basketball coach, and current Athletic Director, says Spoonhour was not only an incredible coach, but a great individual:

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Funeral arrangements are pending.  Charlie Spoonhour was 72 years old.

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Mention Spoon’s Temple of Doom, and basketball fans across the Ozarks know you’re talking about Charlie Spoonhour, the head coach, at what was then, Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. 

The home court atmosphere was legendary, drawing plenty of attention from around the nation. Teams didn’t want to come in and play at the Hammons Student Center– it was crazy and loud.

As reported on HometownDailyNews.com Wednesday, Spoonhour died at his home in North Carolina, after a long battle with a lung disease.

Just as much a legend off the court, known for his infectious smile and witty stories, Spoonhour is being remembered as someone young coaches could learn from.

Al Waller is a former head coach at College of the Ozarks, and the school’s current athletic director.  He says Spoon was one of a kind.

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Missouri State paused for a moment of silence in remembrance of Charlie Spoonhour prior to last night’s home game against Wichita State.  Spoonhour was 72 years old.

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Al Waller, former College of the Ozarks men’s basketball coach, and the school’s current Athletic Director, says young coaches can learn a lot from the legend of Charlie Spoonhour.

Spoonhour, the basketball coach who helped put, what was then, Southwest Missouri State University on the national map in the mid 80’s, died Wednesday at his home in North Carolina after a long battle with a lung disease.

Waller says Spoonhour always had fun, and that’s important, because so many new coaches take the game way too seriously.  Spoonhour was 72 years old.

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Charlie Spoonhour is being remembered today for more than wins and losses on a basketball court. He was someone that could walk into a room, and the crowd would change its tone and be energized.

The head coach, of what was then Southwest Missouri State in the mid 80’s, Spoonhour died at his home in North Carolina Wednesday, after losing a battle with a lung disease.

Ned Reynolds is sports director at Springfield television KY-3, he tells HometownDailyNews.com, that Spoonhour was a legend on and off the floor.

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Funeral arrangements are pending.  Charlie Spoonhour was 72 years old.