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Car was colorblind, just wanted to know if I could play basketball
Glory Road – 2 stars (average)
Basketball Coach Don Haskins did not expect his legend are produced. He is a Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Few remember today Don Haskins. He was the coach of Texas Western in 1966, when his team played Adolph Rupp's Kentucky Wildcats University 27-1 27-1 NCAA title.
Nothing too strange, except that Haskins became the first coach in NCAA history to start a comprehensive of all African-Americans when miners white face Kentucky Rupp that featured two actors who became well known in the NBA Pro: Pat Riley and Louie Dampier.
Remember these names: Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, Orsten Artis, Worsley Willie and Harry Flournoy during February, Black History Month. It was starting lineup for West Texas, where the miners won the NCAA championship against a team and all white Kentucky, 72-65.
I graduated from the University of Michigan two months after Texas Western won the title, and would not realize how this event was historic. My school and college cross country and track have been integrated. Kentucky does not even offer scholarships to African American basketball, and there were many other colleges and universities that excluded African American players in 1966.
There was plenty of hatred in the South at that time. Heck, there was much hatred everywhere but not in the Don Haskins will be victory for Texas Western, now known as UTEP, the University of Texas at El Paso. Haskins was color blind and simply the best players in the competition floor.
Haskins recruited the best players, nothing else mattered. Even the miserable treatment and death threats as Haskins and his players were die-hard, ignorant, fanatical West Texas boosters and donors. They sing a different tune in Texas today, especially at the University of Texas.
Glory Road in 2006 told the story of Don Haskins and Texas Western. Josh Lucas has played the role of Don Haskins, Derek Luke player Bobby Joe Hill and John Voight played Adolph Rupp.
Glory Road is not one of the best films ever made, but the history of West Texas is on par with other major victories in the history of sport, including U. S. 1980 hockey team won gold at the Olympics.
Unlike the movie version, the title of the game was not as big surprise it was represented. West Texas had an excellent team, as evidenced by their No. 3 ranking in the latest polls this year. Haskins was not the first coach to play African Americans, West Texas had black players on its list Haskins has happened before.
Haskins was the first to launch a range of all African in the title game of the NCAA, and it is also true that Texas Western was the first school in a southern state to integrate its sports teams. Good for western Texas.
Glory Road was a good message of hope for African-Americans. at least one coach had the courage to play better. Do not think for a moment that it was Don Haskins time of glory, and he was brave, but not a great basketball coach.
De Glory Road was not so much about Don Haskins and some very talented very tolerant and very courageous players in Texas Western, Don Haskins says:
1) played for three years at Oklahoma A & M in the Hall of Fame coach Hank Iba and was team captain.
2) Was tied for fourth among active coaches to win the NCAA when he retired with 719 victories and 353 defeats.
3) had 33 winning seasons in 38 years as UTEP coach.
4) Led UTEP at least 17 victories, 20 seasons, an NCAA championship in 1966, seven Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championships, four tournament titles and 21 trips WAC in series (14 series seven NCAA and NIT-National Invitational Tournament appearances.)
5) college basketball has changed forever from a team of all blacks against all-white team from Kentucky in the NCAA tournament and win the title.
6) Hall of Fame Coach Nate "Tiny" Archibald, All-Star Tim Hardaway and Antonio Davis, and coaches Nolan Richardson and mentor Tim Floyd future.
Glory Road is a film for all basketball fans. He has a great message and is a great moment in the evolution of basketball as we know and enjoy today.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
About the Author
Ed Bagley’s Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. Read my 3-part series on “Secrets Men Don’t Want Women to Know” and reviews on the Broadway musicals “Camelot”, “Chicago” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. These are all excellent films. Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/MovieReviews.html
Assistant Coach for the Montreal Canadiens Kirk Muller
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