Black History Month: Empow6r and Educate
The American Athletic Conference celebrates Black History Month throughout the month of February as the conference recognizes those individuals who have broken barriers on each of our campuses and moments that have shaped the respective communities.
Tulsa Race Massacre and Black Wall Street
Black History is American History. The Tulsa Race Massacre and Black Wall Street are important pieces of American History that are rarely taught. Many involved with Tulsa Athletics are making sure that the history of the Greenwood District doesn't go forgotten as the community continues to revitalize the area.
Larry Finch: Memphis
Larry Finch played a vital role in helping unify his home town of Memphis a few years after the Dr. Martin Luther King assassination.
Elvin Hayes: Houston
Elvin Hayes was a trailblazer in both athletic success and racial equality. Hayes and Don Chaney were the first black recruits for legendary coach Guy Lewis. Hayes led Houston in scoring all three years and helped snap UCLA's 47-game win streak in the "Game of the Century."
Cleo Littleton: Wichita State
Cleo Littleton wasn't the first black student-athlete at Wichita State, but he did help open eyes to the moral and ethical case for a more integrated society. Littleton led the Shockers to their first AP Poll appearance and postseason berth, all while scoring 2,164 points.
Vince Colbert: East Carolina
Vince Colbert broke the color barrier not once, but twice at East Carolina. He was the first black student-athlete to receive an athletic scholarship, as well as the first two sport black student-athlete playing for both the men's basketball and baseball teams.
Gina Thomas: Cincinnati
Gina Thomas defied the stereotypes and rewrote the record books at Ohio State while being named the American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year in 2003. She is now in her 10th season at the helm for Cincinnati lacrosse as she continues to make her impact felt.
Jerry Levias: SMU
In 1966, Jerry Levias broke the color bearrier at SMU, becoming the first black scholariship player for not only the SMU Mustangs, but also the Southwest Conference.
Athletics Leadership: Temple
Representation matters and the Temple Owls leads the way with black leadership in five of its most prominent roles. Temple is the only university to have a black leader in its two highest ranking leadership roles as well as the high level coaching positions.
Changing The Game: Tulane
Tulane Football changed the landscape of their program in the Fall of 1971 behind the courage of Charles Hall, Charles Inniss, Robert Johnson and John Washington, who became the first black student-athletes for Tulane football.
Lee Roy Selmon: South Florida
Lee Roy Selmon is referred to as the "Founding Father of South Florida football" after making the transition from the NFL to Assistant AD at University of South Florida in 1993.