85R7159 JCD-D
By: Pickett H.R. No. 172
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso men's basketball
team celebrated the 50th anniversary of its landmark national
championship win with a game against Western Kentucky University on
February 6, 2016; and
WHEREAS, On March 19, 1966, The University of Texas at El
Paso, then known as Texas Western College, defeated the University
of Kentucky 72-65 in the finale of the NCAA tournament; at a time
when black athletes were woefully underrepresented in college
sports, Miners head coach Don Haskins started five African
Americans, something that had never been done in an NCAA
championship game; that historic contest, against an all-white team
that was ranked No. 1 in the nation, came at the height of the civil
rights era and called attention to the issue of segregation in
college basketball; the game also marks the only national
championship title ever won by a Division 1 men's college
basketball team in Texas; and
WHEREAS, In the anniversary matchup, UTEP beat Western
Kentucky 93-89 in overtime; significantly, the Hilltoppers had also
competed in the 1966 NCAA tournament, starting two African American
players; and
WHEREAS, The achievements realized by Coach Haskins and the
1966 Miners team helped expand opportunities for players of every
race to excel based on their hard work, skill, and talent, and it is
indeed fitting that they be honored for their contributions to the
sport; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1966
NCAA national championship victory by The University of Texas at El
Paso men's basketball team and congratulate the 2016 team on its win
in the anniversary game; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for The University of Texas at El Paso men's basketball
team as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
Representatives.