The 1965-66 Texas Western Miners basketball team represented Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and was coached by Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins. The team made history by winning the 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament in 1966, becoming the first team with an all-black starting line-up to win an NCAA basketball national championship; a feat that was not favorable by many. The Miners defeated Kentucky (a team that was all white until 1969) 72-65 in the historic championship game, played at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland on March 19, 1966.
The team was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and inspired the book and film Glory Road.
Roster
After the championship
The 1965-1966 Texas Western basketball team faced many issues because of their color. For example when they won the championship no one brought out a ladder for them to cut down the net. Nevil Shed had to hoist up Willie Worsley so he could do the honors. Also they were never invited on "The Ed Sullivan Show" which was customary for the NCAA Champions. Texas Western (UTEP) winning the championship, started the integration of collegiate athletics; with the Southeastern Conference admitting their first black basketball player in 1967.
Schedule
References
External links
- UTEP Athletics tribute site
- Basketball Hall of Fame entry
Interesting Informations
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