81R31625 JH-D
By: Marquez H.R. No. 2233
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In 1966, the men's basketball team from Texas
Western College claimed the NCAA championship with a 72-65 victory
over the highly rated squad from the University of Kentucky in the
national title game; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its athletic significance, the
contest also had a deep and lasting social impact; in that game,
Texas Western started five African American players, marking the
first time that an all-black lineup had played for the college
title; adding to the drama was the fact that Kentucky had an
all-white roster and its coach, Adolph Rupp, was opposed to the
racial integration of his team; and
WHEREAS, The Miners' triumph proved to be a turning point
that helped do away with racial barriers in the college game,
opening new doors to minority athletes; moreover, it was a source of
great pride to the residents of Texas, showing that colleges in the
Lone Star State had earned a place alongside the best in the game;
and
WHEREAS, In recent years, the Texas Western championship
received renewed attention when the team's coach, Don Haskins,
published Glory Road, his account of the 1966 season, and the book
was adapted into a feature film; and
WHEREAS, Players who made up that unforgettable team included
Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, Orsten Artis, Willie Worsley, Willie
Cager, Nevil Shed, and Harry Flournoy; these skilled athletes were
guided by Coach Haskins, who went on to establish a long and
successful career at the college, which became The University of
Texas at El Paso in 1967; this legendary leader was inducted into
the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997, and he passed
away in 2008; and
WHEREAS, By proving itself the finest college team in the
nation in 1966, the Texas Western Miners heralded a new era in
collegiate basketball, and their win stands as one of the great
moments in Texas sports history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the 1966 national champion Texas
Western College men's basketball team and commend the players and
coaches for their notable accomplishment.