BLACK HISTORY NEWS & NOTES

NOVEMBER 1993 NUMBER 54

The Other Side of Hoosier Hysteria: Segregation, Sports, and the IHSAA by Stanley Warren

At the dawn of the twentieth cen­ dents were usually only allowed to tury, most school officials realized participate in non-contact sports that interest in team sports had such as track and field. They were grown to a point that they were a rarely included in club activities. fixture in the lives of school-age In small communities with boys and girls. The beginning of the almost totally white populations, an Indiana High School Athletic Asso­ occasional black player did not ciation (IHSAA) in 1903 was a natu­ seem to warrant a challenge. The ral evolution as schools attempted to northern part of the state appeared to create teams, schedule games, and be more tolerant than Indianapolis plan tournaments.1 in its interpretation of who could When the association was play on its high school teams. How­ formed, the racial climate in Indiana ever, just as many elementary was similar to the climate in many schools in the state were not totally other states, both North and South. segregated, the same held true for Segregation was prevalent, sports teams during even the regardless of the geographical con­ harshest periods of segregation and text. Around the country, there had discrimination. Sometimes team IHS C2235 been thousands of lynchings in the spirit overruled prejudice, intimida­ Basketball players at the Senate Avenue years prior to 1903 with more than tion, and external regulations. YMCA. 100 in 1900. During 1900 and 1901, In Indianapolis, the team sports void for black boys and young black blacks in Indiana were lynched in INDUSTRIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL men was filled in several ways. Rockport, Boonville, and Terre Walker Big Five Bethel Local church, Sunday school, and Haute.2 O. Martin Coal Co. Hill Midgets industrial basketball leagues made There had been no intent to have Lilly Cardinals Witherspoon the basketball court at the Senate an integrated association since 13th St. Pets Comwalei Avenue Young Men’s Christian white schools in the state generally J.T.V. Hill Simpson Association (YMCA) a very busy did not engage in athletic contests or Brightwood Caldwell place. In 1927, the Mid-West States other activities with black or Catho­ Basketball Conference was formed. CHURCH lic schools. South Bend Catholic There were teams from Detroit, and Indianapolis Cathedral, with Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Simpson limited options, regularly sched­ Fort Wayne, Muncie, and Indianap­ Second Christian uled athletic contests with black olis.3 Leagues at the Senate Avenue Hill Flashes high schools throughout the state. YMCA catered to boys and young 25th St. Baptist In large urban settings, such as Indi­ men in a program that produced vig­ Witherspoon anapolis and Gary, where black and orous competition among the play­ Scott’s Caldwell white students attended the same ers and rabid support from fans. The Allen Chapel4 high schools until provision was principle leagues at the YMCA made to segregate them, black stu­ were: Continued on page 3

BHNN_1993-11_NO54 three letters of reference. For application forms and additional Historical Happenings information, write to Scholars-in- Residence Program, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801. Tele­ Fellowships are awarded for con­ phone: (212) 491-2203. Scholars-in-Residence tinuous periods of six or twelve Program months at the Schomburg Center. Up to four full year fellowships may IAH Annual The Schomburg Center for be awarded. Fellows will receive sti­ Meeting Research in Black Culture, a unit of pends of $15,000 for six months and the New York Public Library’s up to $30,000 for twelve months. The 1994 annual conference of Research Libraries, announces its They must devote full time to their the Indiana Association of Histo­ Scholars-in-Residence Program. research projects and may not be rians will be held 25-26 February in The residency program, partially employed or hold other major fel­ New Harmony, Indiana. Most ses­ supported by the National Endow­ lowships or grants during the period sions will take place in the Con­ ment for Humanities and the Aaron in residence. Those selected may ference Center or the New Harmony Diamond Foundation, assists those supplement their stipends with Inn, although a number of sessions scholars and professionals whose small outside grants if the requisite and special events are scheduled in research in the black experience can approval is received from the historic Harmonist/Owenite struc­ benefit from extended access to the Schomburg Center. At the end of tures. A block of rooms is being Center’s collections. Seminars, col- the residency, the fellow will submit held for registrants at the New Har­ loquia, forums, symposia, and con­ a written report of his/her project mony Inn. A limited number of low- ferences will complement the and an evaluation of the program. cost accommodations are also avail­ residency program. The program is The award period is for the able for students in the Barn Abbey. designed to facilitate interaction 1994-1995 academic year. The Conference registration materials among the participants, including application deadline is 15 January will be available in December. fellows funded by other sources, 1994 and notification of awards will Chairperson for the Conference and to provide for widespread dis­ be made by 1 April 1994. Applica­ Planning Committee is: Darrel semination of findings through lec­ tions must include a completed Bigham, Department of History, tures, publications, and the Schom­ form, a detailed statement of the University of Southern Indiana, burg Center Seminars. The Schom­ project, a curriculum vitae, a sam­ 8600 University Boulevard, Evans­ burg Center program encompasses ple of the applicant’s work, and ville, IN 47112, (812) 465-7014. projects in African, Afro-Ameri­ can, and Afro-Caribbean history and culture. The fellowship program is open to scholars in the humanities study­ ing black history and culture and to professionals in fields related to the Schomburg Center’s collections and program activities — librarianship, archives and museum administra­ tion, special collections, pho­ tographs, audiovisual material, and publications. Studies in the social sciences, the arts, science and tech­ nology, psychology, education, and religion are eligible if they utilize a humanistic approach and contribute

to humanistic knowledge. Persons George VanSickles seeking support for research leading A celebration and reception for the recently published anthology, Indiana s African- to degrees are not eligible under this American Heritage: Essays from Black History News & Notes, was held 22 program. Candidates for advanced September 1993 at the Madame Walker Urban Life Center in Indianapolis. The degrees must have received the event, hosted by the book’s publisher, the Indiana Historical Society, was attended degree or completed all require­ by over 100 guests. Above, four cfthe book’s thirteen contributing authors, Stanley ments for it by the application dead­ Warren, Gloria Gibson-Hudson, Wilma L. Gibbs (also editor of the volume), and line. William E. Taylor, are introduced to the audience.

2 Continued from page 1 team from Gary Froebel High The difference in participation rates School, which enrolled a large at the schools may have resulted League play culminated with a city number of black students, had 29 from the much larger number of tournament played before YMCA athletes, of whom 15 were black. black students enrolled at Short­ members and other interested fans. The half-mile relay team, which was ridge. Although blacks were late It had all the flavor of a high school all black, set a blistering pace as participants in Indianapolis high tournament except that many of the they cruised to a new state record school basketball, as early as 1902, players were older than traditional time of 1:31.9. Robert Scott, a mem­ there were two black players on the students. The winner and runner-up ber of the half-mile relay team, also football team at Manual High represented Indianapolis in an invi­ set a new state standard of 23 feet School and one on the baseball tational tournament that drew teams 3/4 inch in the long jump competi­ team .13 from around the state. Similarities tion. From another part of the state, In spite of the difficulties to the tourney structure of the Allen Dillingham of Connersville involved in starting a new school IHSAA was undoubtedly inten­ High School, tied for first place in that was molded from an unhealthy tional. Other popular teams usually the high jump at 6 feet 7/8 inch.7 philosophical climate, by 1930 entered in city tournaments were: While track and field seemed to Crispus Attucks was a stable part of Linkbelt A.C., Walker Theatre, be the sport in which blacks were the black community. The athletic Indianapolis Teachers Club, and most likely to participate, a few teams, not allowed to compete in The Trojans of the Social Service schools had black athletes on their IHSAA tournaments, developed a League. football teams as well. In 1932, cadre of competitors by broadening During the 1927-28 season, the there was one black player on the their schedules to include “col­ Senate Avenue YMCA team, par­ Elkhart team and four on the East ored” teams from some distance. ticipating in the Mid-West States Chicago Washington team.8 Illustrative of this point is the fol­ Conference, played a schedule that In 1927, black students at Arsenal lowing schedule for the 1930 basket­ included 24 games with trips to Chi- Technical (Tech), Howe, Manual, ball squad: cago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Shortridge high schools were Covington — Home Detroit, Fort Wayne, Louisville, mandated to attend the newly Anderson — Away Muncie, Saint Louis, and Toledo.5 opened Crispus Attucks High Cincinnati — Home The leagues were so competitive School to complete their studies.9 Greene astle — Away that a few of the players, such as Therefore, in most Indianapolis sec­ Lexington — Home Howard University’s “Doggie” ondary schools, from 1927 until the Richmond — Away Clark, went on to play for black early 1950s, the use of black players Dayton — Home college teams after “graduating” in team sports was a moot issue. The Evansville — Away from the YMCA gymnasium. contrast between black student par­ Princeton — Away League play was so popular that a ticipation at Shortridge and Arsenal Vashon H .S., St. Louis — Away Christmas tournament was held in Technical high schools before and Sumner H .S., St. Louis — Away Indianapolis at Tomlinson Hall. An after 1928 is staggering. The open­ Gary — Home All-Star squad and three other ing of Crispus Attucks High School Bloomington — Away teams from around the state were literally changed the complexion of Louisville — Home invited to participate.6 those schools overnight. At Tech, in Monrovia — Away Tournament play in minor sports the spring of 1927, there were 12 Kokomo — Away was also very popular with the black graduating seniors;10 at Short­ Gary — Away YMCA crowd. Competing in check­ ridge, there were 24.11 One of the Ft. Wayne — Away ers, ping pong, volley ball, and bil­ students at Shortridge, Virgie Dun- Sumner H.S. — Home liards, players from the YMCA held ville, was on the “A” Honor Roll. Cincinnati — Away spirited individual and team competi­ The change in student assignments Covington — Away tions and sent teams to compete insured that, in 1928, Crispus Louisville — Away against opponents in cities through­ Attucks was the only public high Lexington — Away out the Midwest. Young men from all school in Indianapolis to have black Princeton — Home comers of the city came to the YMCA students in its graduating class. Marion — Away to use the available facilities and to Prior to the change, participation Evansville — Home challenge for the top spot in any one of these activities. The number one in athletic activities continued to be Dayton — Away player commanded much respect and skewed toward track and field. Vashon H.S., St. Louis — Home14 was constantly challenged for his There were two blacks on the track When one notes that there were 18 position. team at Tech. At Shortridge, there road games in a 28-game schedule IHSAA records show that in were six blacks on the track team, with as many as four consecutive 1932, black participation outside of six in the student senate, and games away from home, the sacri­ Indianapolis in sanctioned major Chester Offutt was a member of the fice made by the players becomes sports events, other than basketball, debate team. Two of the six black obvious. The limited facilities at was significant. In 1932, the track student senators were females.12 Attucks, with only the auditorium

3 stage available for basketball, from black high schools in several George Crowe, following in the forced the team to play its home cities throughout the country. footsteps of his brother, Ray, who games at Pennsy Park. Until the The growing popularity of bas­ had earlier played at Whiteland 1950s, financial difficulties were a ketball was the catalyst that shaped High School, staged a brilliant per­ constant in the lives of those con­ the IHSAA. Once eligible schools formance as he scored more than nected with the Crispus Attucks ath­ were enrolled as members of the half of his team’s points in a losing letic program. The fund-raising IHSAA, the few black players that effort to Frankfort High School. He abilities of both the football and bas­ dotted their lineups seemed to pre­ was chosen as the number one ketball teams were nullified by the sent only minor problems, but black player for participation in the first lack of facilities where they could schools, even though most were Indiana High School All Star game, build a home-crowd base. The repu­ located in small communities, con­ which also featured Howard tation of football coach, Lon Wat­ tinued to be discouraged from com­ Mitchell of Crispus Attucks in spite ford, from his days as a running peting against IHSAA teams, and of the fact that Attucks played a seg­ back at Butler University, and the they were constantly reminded that regated schedule that included fact that black and Catholic schools they were not allowed to participate opponents throughout the Midwest. were viewed in a negative light, led in IHSAA-sanctioned tournaments. Crowe went on to a successful Notre Dame, one of the preeminent With the erection of Crispus career in professional basketball and Catholic universities in the country, Attucks, Gary Roosevelt, and baseball. Howie “Red” Mitchell and Butler University to come to the Evansville Lincoln high schools in became a stellar three-sport athlete aid of Crispus Attucks. Both Butler the late 1920s and early 1930s, seg­ by leading his teams in baseball, University and Notre Dame helped regation of pupils beyond the ele­ football, and basketball at Boston the school tremendously by passing mentary grades in the major cities of University. The anomaly of indi­ on used equipment to the athletic the state occurred. However, these vidual black stars pacing their pre­ department. The football team, changes had little effect on small dominantly white teams to state which was known to travel as far as towns and medium-size cities when tournament victories while black black populations were too sparse to Oklahoma for a game, claimed the schools were barred from tourna­ National Negro Championship in warrant creation of segregated high ment play seemed to slip by 1930 by defeating Central High schools. unnoticed by the media and IHSAA School of Louisville. During that In 1930, Dave DeJernette starred officials. season, they were undefeated, win­ for the state champion Washington The talent pool for black players ning eight games while allowing Hatchets as did Jack Mann for the only one team to score.15 Muncie Bearcats in 1930 and 1931. seemed particularly ripe during the decade of the 1930s. On a given In 1940, Attucks and Gary Roo­ Both were selected as all-state play­ sevelt played for the state colored ers; DeJernette in 1930 and Mann in Friday night, one could travel to any school basketball championship. 1931. Black players on IHSAA part of the state to watch the perfor­ Later in the season, a much larger championship teams became rela­ mance of an integrated team prize was at stake. After winning a tively commonplace. In 1937, attempting to climb to the IHSAA’s tournament in Tuskegee, Alabama, Anderson High School’s Frank championship throne. Black players Evansville Lincoln High School Clemons was a forward on the team were integral parts of these teams. laid claim to the National Negro that defeated Huntingburg in the In the West there were Leroy John­ Championship. Evansville defeated final game. In 1939, Franklin’s son and Ewan Cartwright of Green- teams from Florida, Alabama, Ken­ tucky, and Oklahoma. James Keel of the Evansville team was named most valuable player in the tourna­ ment. Within weeks, a dispute arose when Gary Roosevelt High School, seeking its sixth national crown, also staked a claim to the title, as the result of its schedule and a recent national tournament victory. The Indianapolis Recorder joined the dispute by giving the history of the National Interscholastic Tourna­ ment and what the newspaper saw as the reasonableness of Roosevelt’s claim.16 Unfortunately, there were no commissions nor certifying agents involved, which led to claims for the national title BEARCATS IHS C5876

4 castle, Buttons Bradshaw of Brazil, community began to agitate for and Captain Kirk of Crawfords ville. admission of the school into the In the East were Francis Daniels and IHSAA. Key figures in the push for Tom Lundy of Richmond, Allen integration of the statewide organi­ Dillingham and Wayne Sleet of zation were: Fabum DeFrantz, exec­ Connersville, and William Cruse of utive secretary of the Senate Avenue Rush ville. In the North were Virgil YMCA; Freeman B. (F.B.) Ran­ Riddle, Dick Warfield, and Horace som, attorney and manager of the Talley of Fort Wayne Central, Bill Walker Company; Reverend H.L. Hampton of Culver, and J. Mason Herod, pastor of Second Christian and Art Hurd of South Bend Cen­ Church; Robert L. Brokenburr, Robert L. Brokenburr tral. attorney and later state senator; Cary In 1940, John Thomas led Ham­ cemed. The narrow viewpoint D. Jacobs, Jacobs Brothers Funeral mond Tech to the IHSAA champi­ is taken by that body barring Home; and W. Chester H ibbitt, onship. The following year, the Catholic and Negro high managing editor of the Indianapolis Washington Hatchets were back in schools from all tournaments. the finals with three black players in Recorder.21 Individual members may play the lineup: Charles Harmon, John Immediately after the dedication such teams, but not in tourna­ DeJemette, and William Harmon. ceremonies at Attucks, DeFrantz, ments. And still this is the They defeated the much heralded Ransom, and Herod began lobbying great state of Indiana pledged Madison High School team for their Arthur L. Trester, Commissioner of to support the high ideals of second state championship.17 In the IHSAA, in a futile attempt to America! April of 1941, the Rotary Club of convince him that Crispus Attucks To you members of the state Rising Sun presented the Most Val­ should be a member of the IHSAA. legislature, it is not a difficult uable Player award to Herschel Working from the pulpit and in the thing to correct this glaring Thomas of the Rising Sun team just political arena over the next several unfairness to many of the boys as another star was developing in the years, the three men, joined by Bro­ of our state. Simply pass a northern part of the state.18 kenburr, Jacobs, and Hibbitt, were measure which would make it Davage Minor played at Gary relentless in their pursuit of full unlawful for the continuance Froebel before going on to stardom fledged membership in the or formation of any combina­ at Toledo University and then the IHSAA.22 Lee A. Johnson, sports tion of public schools which University of Southern California. editor of the Indianapolis Recorder, barred other schools of similar Thomas’s brother, Robert, also also contributed to the growing pat­ grade on the grounds of race or played on the Rising Sun team. The tern of pressure against IHSAA seg­ creed.24 French Lick High School team, regation policies.23 The passage in the Senate of S.B. later made famous by the stardom of The work of these men did not go 181 to banish segregation in IHSAA Larry Bird, featured a black player, unnoticed as others took up the tournaments seemed to have a con­ F. Juniper, on the sectional champi­ cause. In 1941, a bill creating a siderable amount of support from onship team in 1943.19 At the Cath­ board of athletic control was intro­ the community. However, in March olic high schools, which held their duced in the Indiana legislature by 1941, the bill died in the House of own state tourney, there was an Senator Robert Brokenburr and was Representatives before it reached occasional black player in the line­ supported by a letter to the legisla­ the floor. A letter to the editor of the up. In 1938 John Cox was a member ture from the Monday Luncheon Indianapolis Recorder from Cary of the Catholic state champion, St. Club, composed of an impressive Jacobs, severely criticized Repre­ Mary’s in Anderson.20 group of local black politicians and sentative H.H. Evans of New Castle Prior to 1927, black high schools businessmen, and an open letter in for aiding in the defeat of the bill. in the state were relatively small, the Indianapolis Star newspaper by He also accused the House and Sen­ and, in some instances, combined W. Blaine Patton, Star sports editor. ate of collusion on Negro bills.25 As with elementary schools. The open­ The luncheon club letter and the the year passed and the nation’s ing of Crispus Attucks in 1927, with Patton letter which follows were in attention was drawn to war, the a student body of approximately marked contrast to the official posi­ energy of those who seemed most 1300 students and a faculty of 36 tion from within the IHSAA. adamant about the exclusion of with 15 additional teachers added in Under the leadership of black and Catholic schools from the spring semester because of the Arthur L. Trester and his participation in IHSAA tournament unexpected size of the enrollment, “controlled board of control” activities began to dissipate. In presented the IHSAA with a set of this national movement of many ways, Indiana mimicked the issues that did not exist in 1903. unity has meant nothing so far nation as the external threat to the Immediately after the first semester as the Indiana High School country forced Hoosiers to view began, forces from within the black Athletic Association is con- internal matters through a new

5 prism. war effort. The military used the fielder with one second to go to send The story of how the decision to facility for a training site from 1943 the highly favored Tech team to the open the state tournament to black to 1945. Approximately 800 Naval sidelines.32 In these early years, and Catholic schools was made is cadets were housed and trained at Attucks had been victorious in complicated. It was a difficult bat­ Butler. During this time, the state games with other less regarded tle, fought on at least two fronts over finals were played at the Indianap­ teams, but the victories over Short­ a period of more than 35 years. The olis Coliseum, located at the Indi­ ridge and Tech helped the Crispus Indiana Catholic High School Ath­ ana State Fairgrounds.29 Both John Attucks team gamer the respect of letic Association (ICHSAA), which DeJernette and William Harmon, basketball fans in every corner of the ran its own state tournament and who had been members of the state state. It also provided Attucks the participated in the national Catholic champion Washington Hatchets opportunity to schedule games with tournament, was very heavily only months earlier, joined the teams that now saw them as worthy involved in the push to broaden United States Navy in 1943.30 Many opponents. During 1946 and 1947 IHSAA’s membership categories. college and professional teams were black players participated in the In 1933, when it was determined decimated by the call to arms during final round of the state tournament that Gibault High School of Vin­ World War II, as both famous and as never before. In 1946, Anderson cennes was operated by the Vin­ ordinary athletes stepped forward as won the tournament with John cennes School Board rather than the volunteers to defend the honor of the Cochran, Isaac Weatherly, and church, its application for mem­ United States. “Jumping” Johnny Wilson. bership in the IHSAA was In 1943 black high schools at Wilson, who set a final four scoring approved. Immediately, the Madison, New Albany, and Jeffer­ record, went on to become the ICHSAA turned up the pressure by sonville did not enter the state tour­ number one player on the Indiana applying for blanket membership nament, and only Lincoln in All Star team, only to be eclipsed for the group, which was denied. In Evansville survived the first round the next year by Bill Garrett of 1941, Evansville Memorial applied of the sectionals. Crispus Attucks in Shelbyville High School. Garrett, for admission.26 Within weeks, Indianapolis, Lincoln in Princeton, aided by Emerson Johnson and Mar­ without commenting on the Evans­ Gary Roosevelt, and Booker T. shall Murray, broke Wilson’s scor­ ville Memorial application, the Washington in Mt. Vernon were ing mark as Shelbyville swept to the pressure on the IHSAA from both first-round losers. According to state title in 1947. Bobby Milton of blacks and Catholics finally pro­ Lowell M. Trice, columnist for the Ft. Wayne Central was another nota­ duced the desired result. The Indianapolis Recorder, the mostly ble black player. Later in his career, IHSAA Board of Control voted to white crowd at Tech High School he spent many years as a player and suspend the race and religious pro­ was well aware of the significance of coach with the Harlem Globetrot­ hibitions. Effective 15 August 1942, the Crispus Attucks-Shortridge ters. In 1946, Milton was a member of without much fanfare, membership contest: “The most impressive part the Indiana All Star team along with in the IHSAA was opened to public, of the entire evening was displayed Johnny Wilson, as were Emerson private, parochial, institutional, and when the more than 6,000 basket­ Johnson and Bill Garrett in 1947.33 colored schools in the state offering ball enthusiasts stood up as one and Bill Garrett’s skill and demeanor, three or four years of high school for ten or fifteen minutes lustily both on and off the court, caught the work. Newly eligible schools cheered the Tigers in their history­ attention of basketball fans around included Crispus Attucks, Cathe­ making debut in the sectional tour­ the state. A group of black busi­ dral, Sacred Heart, Indiana Deaf nament.” 31 nessmen from Indianapolis, led by School, Park School, and the Indi­ The rivalries that developed Faburn E. DeFrantz, visited the ana Boys School. between Arsenal Technical, Short­ Indiana University campus and In addition to the eight black high ridge, and Crispus Attucks high solicited a promise from Branch schools in the state, there were schools were carved in stone after McCracken, basketball coach at approximately 14 Catholic two important victories. In its third Indiana University, that Garrett schools.27 In 1943, following the sectional tournament, the Tigers of could be a member of the Indiana removal of the ban, Crispus Attucks Crispus Attucks, behind the stellar University team if he was admitted and Shortridge high schools, two play of James Buchanan and Edgar to the university and if he could sports rivals throughout the 1950s Sams, defeated Shortridge in the make the team.34 This was no easy and 1960s, competed at the Arsenal second round of the 1945 sectionals decision since no black player had Technical gymnasium in Attucks’s before losing to Broad Ripple, the ever donned a uniform for a Big Ten first sectional tournament.28 After team from Indianapolis destined to Conference basketball team. playing the Indianapolis sectional go all the way to the final round of Not only did Garrett make the tournament at Butler University for the state tournament. In another sig­ Indiana team, he became a star. By many years, the switch to Arsenal nificant turning point, six years after 1951, he was the leading rebounder, Technical High School was made admission of Attucks to the IHSAA scorer, and most valuable player. He necessary because of the role that sectional tournament, Thomas also was named to the All-American the Butler fieldhouse played in the “ Blue” Overton of the Tigers sank a team.35 The combination of Gar-

6 rett’s selection to the All-American competing under the banner of the home crowds rise to cheer their team and the ascent of Crispus IHSAA, the Crispus Attucks Tigers teams, the waves of positive feelings Attucks to the final round of the produced a player, Robert Lee Jew­ that fill the gymnasiums have little Indiana High School basketball ell, who became the first black ath­ to do with race or ethnicity and a tournament in March 1951 were lete to capture the award. In 1955, great deal to do with economics, turning points in Indiana high the Tigers also became the first Indi­ integration as a social fact, school school basketball history. The anapolis team to win the state bas­ pride, and the spirit of competition. unspoken, unwritten decision, by ketball crown. coaches in Indianapolis that use of The development of an Indiana ENDNOTES black players on their teams would Basketball Hall of Fame and a series 1. Clifton J. Phillips, Indiana In Transition: take their programs to a new level of Silver Anniversary teams in 1962 The Emergence of an Industrial Common­ wealth, 1880-1920 (Indianapolis: Indiana and prevent the growth of an presented the state a wonderful Historical Bureau and the Indiana Historical unheralded dynasty at Crispus opportunity to showcase the basket­ Society, 1968), 436. Attucks High School was the begin­ ball stars of an earlier era alongside 2. John Hope Franklin, From Slavery to Free­ ning of a new era in Indiana high the modern day, jump shooting phe- dom: A History of Negro Americans, Fifth school basketball and may have noms of later years. Black players Edition (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, been a political wedge that helped to from the period before 1950 selected 1980), 313; Ray Stannard Baker, Following break the school integration log to the Hall of Fame are: George the Color Line (New York: Doubleday, Page and Co., 1908), 175-77; Phillips, 376. jam. Crowe, Chhrles Harmon, Tom Har­ 3. The P's Man, 24 September 1927. After Johnny Wilson and Bill mon, Jack Mann, Bob Milton, John 4. Ibid., 12 December 1931. Garrett, black players appeared on Wilson, and Bill Garrett. All of 5. Ibid., 29 October 1927. the Indiana basketball horizon with these players were also named to 6. Ibid., 10 December 1927. increasing regularity. However, one of the Silver Anniversary 7. Indiana High School Athletic Association: experiences in Indianapolis were teams. Two other players who have 29th Annual Yearbook (1932), 49, 84, 88. 8. IHSAA 29th Annual Yearbook, 144, 160; vastly different from those in the not been named to the Hall of Fame, IHSAA 47th Annual Yearbook (1949), 142. many single high school cities and but are on a Silver Anniversary team 9. Interview by the author with Louise (Green) towns around the state. Refusal by are Davage Minor from Gary and Waugh who was transferred from Shortridge the city administration and school Russell Freeland from Lawrence- to Crispus Attucks in 1927 to begin her officials to proceed with the 1949 burg.37 junior year and Katherine Maye who gradu­ legislative mandate to integrate the As the decade of the 1950s came ated from Attucks in 1928. 27 August 1993. city schools allowed a black, segre­ into view, the stage had also been set 10. Arsenal Cannon (Yearbook-Arsenal Tech­ gated school to become the domi­ for the rise to prominence of several nical H. S.), 1927. 11. Shortridge High School Annual, 1927. schools with relatively few black nant force in high school basketball 12. Ibid. by winning three state champion­ students in their student bodies, but 13. The Mirror (Manual High School yearbook) ships during the 1950s.36 with basketball teams dominated by 1902. The most coveted individual black players. In 1940, John Thomas 14. The Attucks Beacon, 3 November 1930. prize by Indiana high school basket­ was the lone black player on the 15. Ibid., 8 December 1930. The Pennsy Gym ball players is the Gimbel Prize/ Hammond Tech team that captured Association was located at 51 S. State Ave. IHSAA Medal/Trester Award. the state title. As one of the team Carl Leon Holder, local athlete during the 1940s and 1950s, confirmed the use of Regardless of the name changes, it stars, he was cheered mightily when equipment from Butler and Notre Dame by is bestowed upon the player in the the team returned to Hammond to Attucks athletes. final four who best exemplifies a life be greeted by 50,000 rabid fans, 16. J. Wendell Holder, “Lincoln Lions ‘March of good scholarship, high moral which was nearly 75 percent of the Thru’ Georgia Makes Keel Place on All- character, and athletic excellence. city’s population.38 Certainly, as we Tournament Squad,” Indianapolis In 1951, after only eight years of approach the year 2000, when the Recorder, 30 March 1940; “ Panthers Win 6th National Crown,” Indianapolis Recorder, 13 April 1940; “History of the National Interscholastic Tournament,” Indianapolis Recorder, 20 April 1940; “E- Town Wins Invitational Meet, But Not National Championship,” Indianapolis Recorder, 27 April 1940. 17. Herb Schwomeyer, Hoosier Hysteria: A History of Indiana High School Basketball, 2nd ed. (Greenfield, Ind.: Mitchell-Flem- ing Printing, Inc., 1970), 132-324; Hurley Goodall and J. Paul Mitchell, A History of IHSAA 1959 State Champions were (first row) Eddie Dalton, Dan Swift, Larry Negroes in Muncie (Muncie, Ind.: Ball McIntyre, Jerry Hazelwood, Detroit Spencer, and Lawrence Moore. Back row: State University Press, 1976) 23-27; Phillip Coach Bill Garrett (who as an Indiana University basketball player broke the Big M. Hoose, Hoosiers: The Fabulous Basket­ Ten Conference color barrier), Willie Wilson, Bobby Edmonds, Bill Jones, George ball Life of Indiana (New York: Vintage Dixon, Walter Smith, and Claude Williams. Books, 1986), 48-49. (An interesting

1 account of the personalities and situations 35. The IU Newspaper, 7 March 1986. ing of historical collections, transla­ surrounding Dave DeJemette’s season lead­ 36. Robin M. Williams, Jr. and Margaret W. tion of historic materials in foreign ing to the 1930 championship is contained Ryan, Schools In Transition (Chapel Hill: languages, conservation of old pho­ in Hoose, 48-49.) University of North Carolina Press, 1954), 18. Indianapolis Recorder, 26 April 1941. 49-79. Crispus Attucks High School was tographs and documents, and other 19. Indianapolis Star, 6 March 1943. defeated in the afternoon game of the finals history research programs. Grant 20. Herb Schwomeyer, Hoosier Hysteria: A in 1951 and won state tournaments in 1955, recipients must pledge to prepare History of Indiana High School Basketball, 1956, and 1959. It was the first school from 7th ed. (Greenfield, Ind.: Mitchell-Fleming two public programs in connection Indianapolis to win the tournament and the Printing, Inc., 1990), 386. with the research project. first team to capture the crown after having 21. Jim Cummings, “Tough 15-Year Battle The application deadline for the an undefeated season (1956). Won Membership in IH SAA,” Indianap­ grants program is 16 March 1994, 37. Schwomeyer, 7th ed., 427-94. A descrip­ olis Recorder, 9 April 1955. with a mandatory prospectus due 19 22. Ibid. tion of the political climate in Indiana and January 1994. Awards will be 23. “Recorder Sports Editor Launched IHSAA the impact on high school basketball from D r iv e ,” Indianapolis Recorder, 27 the 1920s to the 1950s is in Hoose ,97-121. announced by 30 April; the project December 1941. 38. Hoose, 54. begins 1 June, and it ends on 31 May 24. “Five-Man State Board; Open Tourna­ 1995. ments,” Indianapolis Recorder, 15 Febru­ ary 1941. The committee representing the Indiana Heritage Black History News and Notes is a Monday Luncheon Club was composed of Cary D. Jacobs, Willard B. Ransom, F.E. Research Grants quarterly publication of the Indiana DeFrantz, Frank Williams, and Frank Beck­ Historical Society Library. Intended in with. The Indiana Historical Society part to highlight the activities of the 25. Indianapolis Recorder, 29 March 1941. (315 West Ohio Street, Indianap­ library’s Black History Program, it is 26. Dale Glenn, The History of the Indiana olis, IN 46202, 317 232-1882) and issued during the months of February, High School Athletic Association (Green­ the Indiana Humanities Council May, August, and November. Essen­ field, Ind.: Mitchell-Fleming Printing, (1500 N. Delaware Street, Indianap­ tial to the Black History Program’s 1976), 120-21. success is community involvement olis, IN 46202, 317 638-1500) 27. “Recorder Sports Editor Launched IHSAA and commitment to the study of Indi­ Drive” ; Cummings, “Tough 15-Year Battle jointly offer Indiana Heritage ana’s African-American heritage. Won.” Research Grants, a small grants pro­ Along with Black History News and 28. Lowell M. Trice, “First Round Winner: As gram. Through the program, up to Four Others Fall,” Indianapolis Recorder, Notes, membership also includes the 6 March 1943. $2500 in matching funds is avail­ quarterly Indiana Magazine of His­ 29. Schwomeyer, 2nd. ed., 184; Indianapolis able to support state and local his­ tory, published at Indiana University, Star, 25 February 1942; 25 March 1942; 10 tory research projects. Awards are News, the Indiana Historical Society’s April 1942; 18 June 1942; 12 May 1943. made to nonprofit organizations. bi-monthly newsletter,and many of 30. Indianapolis Star, 8 March 1943. Contributions of inkind services, as the special publications as they are 31. Trice, “First Round Winner. ” well as cash resources, from the issued — all for only $20.00 a year. To 32. Charles S. Preston, “Sectional Meet Looms become a member or for further infor­ As ‘Charm Round’ for Tigers,” Indianap­ sponsoring agencies qualify for mation, write the Indiana Historical olis Recorder, 17 February 1951. (Some matching purposes. Funds may be errors in names and dates are in this article). Society, 315 West Ohio Street, Indian­ used for a range of research projects apolis, Indiana 46202 (317) 232-1882. 33. Schwomeyer, 2nd. ed., 200-207. including: basic research, oral his­ 34. The F.E. DeFrantz trip to Indiana University Correspondence concerning Black regarding the future of Bill Garrett was cor­ tory collection and transcription, History News and Notes should be roborated by both Fabum E. DeFrantz, Jr., substantive editing of historic docu­ addressed to Wilma L. Gibbs, Editor. and Willard Ransom. ments, interpretation and catalogu­

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