In 1966, Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso, made history when its basketball team defeated the University of Kentucky for the NCAA National Championship. It was a monumental victory for the school, and for the nation, as it was the first time a team with an all-black starting lineup had won the championship. The game has become known as the “Game of Change” and has been celebrated for its role in the civil rights movement. But did Texas Western only play black players in the championship game?
History of Texas Western
Texas Western College, now the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), was a small public university located in the border city of El Paso, Texas. The school was founded in 1913 and was known for its strong academics and athletics programs. In the early 1960s, the school began recruiting African-American athletes to its basketball team. This was a radical move for the time, as most college teams were still segregated.
Recruiting Black Players
In 1962, Texas Western’s basketball coach, Don Haskins, began actively recruiting black players to his team. He sought out talented players from across the country, including future NBA stars David Lattin, Orsten Artis, and Willie Worsley. This move was met with resistance from many in the community, including the school’s president, who argued that it was not in the best interest of the school. However, Haskins was determined to create a team that could compete on a national level and was willing to take the necessary risks.
The 1966 Championship Game
In 1966, Texas Western’s all-black starting lineup faced off against the University of Kentucky in the NCAA National Championship game. The game was a close one, but the Texas Western Miners ultimately emerged victorious, winning the championship with a 72-65 victory. This victory was seen as a major milestone in the civil rights movement, as it was the first time an all-black team had won the championship.
Did Texas Western Only Play Black Players in the Championship Game?
The simple answer is no. While the starting lineup for Texas Western was all-black, there were also several white players on the team, including Harry Flournoy, David Jones, and Steve Sheppard. These players were all instrumental in the team’s success, and their contributions should not be overlooked.
The Impact of the Game
The 1966 championship game between Texas Western and Kentucky has had a lasting impact on the game of basketball and the civil rights movement. In the years since the game, there has been an increased focus on recruiting black players to college basketball teams. It also opened the door for other teams with diverse lineups to compete at the highest level of college basketball.
Legacy of the Team
The 1966 Texas Western team is remembered for their historic victory and their role in the civil rights movement. The team was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the University of Texas at El Paso holds an annual celebration in their honor.
The Movie Glory Road
The story of the 1966 Texas Western team was brought to life in the 2006 Disney film, Glory Road. The movie, which stars Josh Lucas as Coach Haskins and Derek Luke as David Lattin, follows the team’s journey to the championship game. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it serves as a reminder of the team’s place in history.
Criticism of the Team
Despite the team’s success, there has been some criticism of the team from those who believe that the team was only successful because of their all-black lineup. This criticism is misguided, as the team was successful due to their hard work and dedication, not because of their race.
Conclusion
In 1966, the Texas Western Miners made history by becoming the first all-black team to win the NCAA National Championship. The team’s victory was a major milestone in the civil rights movement and opened the door for other diverse teams to compete at the highest level of college basketball. The team also inspired a generation of young basketball players to pursue their dreams, regardless of their race. While the team did have an all-black starting lineup, they were successful due to their hard work and dedication, not because of their race. The legacy of the 1966 Texas Western team will live on for generations to come.
Sources
- The University of Texas at El Paso: History of Texas Western College: utep.edu/about/history/texas-western.html
- NCAA: 1966 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament: ncaa.com/history/basketball-men/d1/1966
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: 1966 Texas Western College National Champions: hoophall.com/teams/1966-texas-western-college-national-champions/
- The New York Times: The Game That Changed College Basketball: nytimes.com/2006/01/13/sports/13glory.html
- ESPN: Texas Western’s 1966 NCAA Tournament Win: espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18246487/texas-western-1966-ncaa-tournament-win-changed-college-basketball-forever