Tough Call. Muhammad Ali’s home (and my Birthplace) of Kentucky, or present fine home of Ohio as Number 1? I call a tie, but I’m sure Jackbooted Thugs will hold that thought down.
And, as an adjunct, I went to the only integrated High School in Nashville, Tennessee- Father Ryan- 1964-1968. A wonderful experience. We had the first HS basketball game in early 1965 for a predominantly white HS vs an all Black HS- Pearl HS- in Nashville. I played in the freshman game before the varsity. 10,000 people packed Municipal Auditorium. If you Google, stories will come up about it. It was awesome.
I remember Coach Derrick fondly, but he was a crusty tough guy. Probably just the guy to forge forward with this game. And Father Hitchcock was a visionary. Us kids thought nothing of it, because we actually played against some of our future teammates from St. Vincent De Paul in grade school. Paul Douglass, Willie Fotre, James McKay...etc. Our grade school CYO Coach, Tex Cravens, was a visionary as well. So proud to be raised that way. Nashville was a lot different in 1963...
Tough Call. Muhammad Ali’s home (and my Birthplace) of Kentucky, or present fine home of Ohio as Number 1? I call a tie, but I’m sure Jackbooted Thugs will hold that thought down.
And, as an adjunct, I went to the only integrated High School in Nashville, Tennessee- Father Ryan- 1964-1968. A wonderful experience. We had the first HS basketball game in early 1965 for a predominantly white HS vs an all Black HS- Pearl HS- in Nashville. I played in the freshman game before the varsity. 10,000 people packed Municipal Auditorium. If you Google, stories will come up about it. It was awesome.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/us/tense-scene-on-basketball-court-50-years-ago-recalls-catholic-role-in-civil-rights.html
This is way cool. Thanks for sharing, Harry!
I remember Coach Derrick fondly, but he was a crusty tough guy. Probably just the guy to forge forward with this game. And Father Hitchcock was a visionary. Us kids thought nothing of it, because we actually played against some of our future teammates from St. Vincent De Paul in grade school. Paul Douglass, Willie Fotre, James McKay...etc. Our grade school CYO Coach, Tex Cravens, was a visionary as well. So proud to be raised that way. Nashville was a lot different in 1963...
Great job.
Thank you! Appreciate you reading!