Post by saints22 on Aug 27, 2020 14:56:36 GMT -5
I’m reading a book about John Wooden (“Wooden: A Coach’s Life”) written by Seth Davis, who many of you have probably heard of. Ran across an interesting reference in the book.
Wooden was the head coach at Indiana State University in 1947-48, about twenty years before Larry Bird showed up. In the spring of 1948, the Sycamores were invited to participate in the NAIB (National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball) Tournament. The tournament had a policy of not allowing Black players. Indiana State had a Black player on the team, Clarence Walker, who was a reserve guard. ISU decided to participate in the tournament, understanding that Walker would not be able to join the rest of the team. Here’s a paragraph with the reference I mentioned:
“Fortunately for Walker, there were some influential people on the East Coast who were willing to fight for him in a way that Wooden was not. When Manhattan College’s athletic director learned of the NAIB’s rule prohibiting Negroes from competing in the tournament, he requested that it be changed, even though Manhattan did not have any blacks on its roster. After two days of exchanging telegrams, the NAIB informed Manhattan that it was too late to repeal the rule for that year’s tournament, so Manhattan withdrew and the athletic director publicly stated the reason. The NAIB then offered its spot to Siena College in Albany, but that school also turned the invitation down because of the racial ban. Long Island University did the same.”
In the 47-48 season, the Indians had a 22-7 record. The school president was Fr. Mark Kennedy, the AD was Fr. Maurus Fitzgerald and Dan Cuhna was the coach.
I don’t remember knowing about this before seeing it in the book. Thought it was worth passing along.
Wooden was the head coach at Indiana State University in 1947-48, about twenty years before Larry Bird showed up. In the spring of 1948, the Sycamores were invited to participate in the NAIB (National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball) Tournament. The tournament had a policy of not allowing Black players. Indiana State had a Black player on the team, Clarence Walker, who was a reserve guard. ISU decided to participate in the tournament, understanding that Walker would not be able to join the rest of the team. Here’s a paragraph with the reference I mentioned:
“Fortunately for Walker, there were some influential people on the East Coast who were willing to fight for him in a way that Wooden was not. When Manhattan College’s athletic director learned of the NAIB’s rule prohibiting Negroes from competing in the tournament, he requested that it be changed, even though Manhattan did not have any blacks on its roster. After two days of exchanging telegrams, the NAIB informed Manhattan that it was too late to repeal the rule for that year’s tournament, so Manhattan withdrew and the athletic director publicly stated the reason. The NAIB then offered its spot to Siena College in Albany, but that school also turned the invitation down because of the racial ban. Long Island University did the same.”
In the 47-48 season, the Indians had a 22-7 record. The school president was Fr. Mark Kennedy, the AD was Fr. Maurus Fitzgerald and Dan Cuhna was the coach.
I don’t remember knowing about this before seeing it in the book. Thought it was worth passing along.