The words original seed are always brandied about for different things. The meaning is the first to actually go out there and make something grow. If any person fits that description best it is Charlie Litsky.
Charlie wasn’t the first kid to ride a bike BMX style in New Jersey in the 70′s but he was without a doubt the first to realize the potential of what he was doing. He made it a point to figure out what was going on, where it was going on and who was doing it. It was Charlie who brought the first group of guys from North Jersey all the way down to Millville in South Jersey at the very beginning of BMX in 1976. Later he would go on to become sponsored by Mongoose, which during that time was THE company to ride for.
More than a rider/racer, Charlie was the consumate spokesman for the burgeoning sport of BMX and where he went, he was sure to get people pumped on how great BMX was. His career after BMX saw him go on to become an announcer and sales rep for many great companies.
Alas Charlie passed away of a heart condition in 1993, way before his time. The legacy of what he inspired though carries on through today as BMX is bigger now in NJ than it ever was before. All because someone wanted to have fun on their bike with their buds.
Charlie Litsky: First inductee to the BMXNJ Hall Of Fame for BMX Racing.
