Civil Rights in College Basketball

African-Americans were introduced to basketball in the early 1900’s and it quickly grew on them.  By 1910 many young African-Americans enjoyed the game of basketball mostly because it was able to be played on any surface and required no real equipment.  Local YMCA’s promoted the game in black neighborhoods along with parks and playgrounds.  For many years African-Americans were not allowed to play in post-season college tournaments.  It wasn’t until 1947 when John Wodden, Head Coach at present day Indiana State University, had the policy reversed and the first African-American by the name of Clarence Walker played in a post-season game.  However, the struggle with racial inequality was only beginning in college basketball.

Texas Western Mens Basketball 1966

Texas Western's 1966 title left lasting legacy

 

In 1966 a man by the name of Don Haskins took a coaching job at Texas Western College, present day University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).  He set out to find the best basketball players in the country and did not care about the color of their skin unlike most other colleges in the country.  He went out and brought in seven African-American boys to add to his team.  In the middle of that season, Coach Haskin’s team lost a game that many can say was on purpose, only because the struggle with racism was starting to take its toll on his team.   Later that year Texas Western set an NCAA record when they started five African-American players in the championship game, which was a first for collegiate basketball.  They went on to win the championship over heavily favored Kentucky who was a completely white team.