by Michael Eddington

Created on: March 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

In 1966, Texas Western College, now called the University of Texas-El Paso, made history by becoming the first team in history to win the NCAA championship with five African American starters. Most people on the national sports scene did not even know Texas Western existed at the beginning of the 1966 season. Under the leadership of Coach Don Haskins, Texas Western but was able to upset a highly favored Kentucky team that was led by All-American Pat Riley, who is now the head coach for the Miami Heat.

The game was spectacular not only because Texas Western was an unknown, but also because of what the team had to go through on its path to the championship. Texas Western was the first southern state to integrate its college athletic teams, and in 1966 the campus was only 1% African American. The basketball team dealt with racism not only on the road, but at home as well. Everyone wanted them to lose. Texas Western's triumph through adversity is depicted in Glory Road, a film released in 2006. It gives viewers an idea of how great the victory really was.

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