Long time Hawk still making a point of keeping the score

In the world of professional sports, 78-year-old John Darnall is an Atlanta unicorn. He stands alone while sitting courtside at Hawks home games.

It all began a very long time ago. 

“The Hawks Public Relations Director Richard Hyatt resigned after the opener in 1968, and Marty Blake (Hawks General Manager & NBA legend) called me and said, “Richard’s job at the games is now all yours,” I responded, “Marty, you know I am in college at Georgia State?” He told me I was good for the job, so here I am in late 2024.”  

57 years later, the Norcross Certified Public Accountant is still on the NBA job and the only one who still uses a a pen and a book. “From 1968 to 1980 I led the statistics team, and in 1980 began keeping the book (official scorekeeper),” added the 6’3 former Panther basketball player.

Chatting with Mr. Darnall who attended Georgia Military Academy (now Woodward Academy) in College Park is like gaining an audience with a living archive of Atlanta sports history.

“My roommate was best friends with Pete Maravich (Hawks/LSU legend), they were very close. He was a very good guy, Pete acted like he didn’t want or like attention.”

The NBA stories are like a fast running river, wide and without end, the Lakers Wilt Chamberlain playing at Georgia Tech’s Alexander Memorial Coliseum against the Hawks, “Players would enter, exit through the walkway in the stands, Wilt was so physically enormous, he didn’t look tall (7’2), just massive.”

John effortlessly recalling players, owners and NBA names long gone, Mel Counts, Jerry Lucas, Hal Greer, Johnny Neumann, John Havlicek, Jack Twyman, Maurice Stokes, Bill Russell, Governor Carl Sanders, J. Mack Robinson and Paul McCartney.

“I traveled to London with the Hawks, and was running around before the game and almost knocked over a small man with a familiar face, it was Sir Paul McCartney,” laughed Mr. Darnall, “after the game we chatted, he was very friendly and engaging.”

There were other Hawks road trips too, in the early days of the franchise, a cavalcade around the Southeast to generate interest in the NBA, something brand new to the region.

“Between 1968, 1970, we played 10 or 12 home games starting in Charlotte, the organization chartered Southern Aero, and their big winged, roaring propellor DC3’s. That was an experience,” laughed the affable CPA.

The generational photos showing Scorekeeper Darnall working the floor at State Farm Arena or the Omni illicit Atlanta anecdotes of the past and present.

In one of the Darnall photos, John sitting next to the late southern baritone from Griffin, the unforgettable public address announcer (Hawks, Braves, Falcons) Marshal Mann.

“Marshall would announce “a foul was ‘called’ on Atlanta”. Then the opponent, “that foul is on New York’s…..

Finally, one of the lead officials came over during free throws and said to Marshall, I know what you are doing and will make a report to the Commissioner and then eject you from the game! Marshall was not happy.”

As for Mr. Darnell’s favorite Hawks players?

“Eddie Johnson was amazing, only player I’ve ever seen who could spin left or right at full speed. And of course, UGA’s Dominique Wilkins who entered the league as a dunker, and became a terrific shooter.”

His favorite Hawks coaches were Richie Guerin and Hubie Brown, “My ex-wife worked as Hubie’s executive assistant.”



And of course, no history of the Hawks in Atlanta is complete without a few Ted Turner stories.

“Most of my stories on Ted are not fit to tell publicly, he always loved women and enjoyed having new friends sit next to him on the Omni floor. He invited a young woman to join him, not knowing it was my girlfriend.”

The Hawks have not had an easy time in Atlanta since moving here from St. Louis in 1968. They have struggled at times finding a fan base and have never reached the NBA finals.

Why is that?

“I will tell you simply, the curse. The curse of trading Lenny Wilkens for Walt Hazzard,” responded Mr. Darnall quickly, “the curse.”

On October 12, 1968, the Hawks traded Lenny Wilkens to Seattle for guard Walt Hazzard.

Enough said.

Mr. Darnall doesn’t like what is happening to the league, NBA television ratings are down, and he blames the focus on the long game, “Ugly basketball, the three-point line has changed everything, players are just shooting, beyond the line.”

He also thinks the lane should be opened up, “widen the court by two feet, each side, it’s too small.”

As for his own future, just assessing a year at a time.

“I serve at their (Hawks) pleasure.”

57 years and counting for John Darnall, a Hawks number never to be topped.