blog




  • Essay / Don Haskins and the West Texas Basketball Team

    Ifill p.1Prior to 1966, African Americans were not allowed to play basketball with Caucasians. That all changed when six African-American men, led by coach Don Haskins of Texas Western College, competed in the March 1966 NCAA championship and won. I believe Don Haskins created significant change for African Americans and college basketball. Although Don Haskins has brought change to college basketball, it is not without historic help from Texas Western College. Texas Western was the first college to integrate its undergraduate courses in 1955. Later, Texas Western became the first university in the state of Texas to have the first black administrator. He quickly became known for creating opportunities for African Americans. The 1966 NCAA victory symbolized a breakthrough for African Americans in college sports with Don Haskins leading the way. Don Haskins was born March 14, 1930. He played college basketball at Oklahoma A&M from 1949 to 1952. Haskins was a second-team all-conference player as a senior and played as a guard and forward. From 1949 to 1951 h...