Charles Ackerly wrestled for Cornell University and won his only major title at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association meet in 1919 by pinning Sam Gerson of Penn. In 1920 he lost to Gerson in the same meet, but at the Olympics, Ackerly gained his revenge by beating Gerson in the finals to win the gold medal. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Helms Foundation in 1960 and the Cornell University Hall of Fame in 1981. He was also a member of the prestigious Sphinx Head Society. After his university career, Ackerly worked as a lawyer in Detroit, Michigan, eventually retiring to Clearwater, Florida.
Date of death also seen as 17 August 1982, but 16 August 1982 is correct per Florida death index.