May 15, 2009 Wayman Lawrence Tisdale, professional basketball player and jazz bass guitarist, died. Tisdale was born June 9, 1964 in Fort Worth, Texas and played guitar at his father’s church. As a college player at the University of Oklahoma, Tisdale was the first player in history to be named a first-team All American in […]
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May 13th in African American History – Joseph Louis Barrow (Joe Louis)
May 13, 1914 Joseph Louis Barrow (Joe Louis), hall of fame boxer known as “the Brown Bomber,” was born in La Fayette, Alabama. He and his family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1926. Louis made his amateur boxing debut in 1932 and at the end of his amateur career in 1934 had compiled a record […]
May 11th in African American History – Floyd Patterson
May 11, 2006 Floyd Patterson, two-time World Heavyweight boxing champion, died. Patterson was born January 4, 1935 in Waco, North Carolina. He started boxing at the age of 14 and won the Gold medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games as a middleweight. Following the Olympics, Patterson turned professional and on November 30, 1956 became […]
May 9th in African American History – Anthony Keith “Tony” Gwynn
May 9, 1960 Anthony Keith “Tony” Gwynn, hall of fame baseball player, was born in Los Angeles, California. After starring roles in baseball and basketball at San Diego State University, Gwynn was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 1981 Major League Baseball Draft. Gwynn made his major league debut in 1982 and played […]
May 8th in African American History – Ronald “Ronnie” Mandel Lott
May 8, 1959 Ronald Mandel Lott, hall of fame football player, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lott player college football at the University of Southern California from 1977 to 1980 and in 1980 was a unanimous All-American. He graduated from USC in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration. Lott was […]
May 6th in African American History – William Howard “Willie” Mays
May 6, 1931 William Howard “Willie” Mays, hall of fame baseball player and “The Say Hey Kid,” was born in Westfield, Alabama. Mays began his professional baseball career in 1947 in the Negro Baseball Leagues. In 1950, Mays was signed by the New York Giants and he began his major league career in 1951. Mays […]
Will Robinson – April 28th in African American History
April 28, 2008 Will Robinson, the first African American head basketball coach at a Division I college, died. Robinson was born June 3, 1911 in Wadesboro, North Carolina. As a high school student, he finished second in the state golf tournament despite not being allowed on the course with the white players. Robinson lettered in […]