Depression Era Black Razorbacks

[From Tusk Till Dawn]

I was in a waiting room and there was a book on the table about forgotten stories of African American athletes in Arkansas.  There was a story about the Black Razorbacks football team who scrimmaged in Fayetteville against the white teams of both FV high school as well as the university.  Apparently were given hand me down uniforms from the Razorbacks.  I had never heard this story before and was fascinated.  I thought there may be some on Hogville who might know something about this and could share.  Pretty good interview on the link attached.  http://www.bestofarkansassports.com/black-razorbacks-kyle-kellams/

[bphi11ips]

That's really cool.  You really can learn something new every day.  Thanks for posting.

[elksnort]

That's really cool.  You really can learn something new every day.  Thanks for posting.

Agree, very intersting.

[Melancholy_Pigg]

Years ago I heard from a UofA prof that Fayetteville, AR was the first white HS in the South to integrate.  That might be a little embellishment (I confess I have no idea). But this article dies state Fayetteville High was first white HS in Arkansas to integrate.  Interesting.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Years ago I heard from a UofA prof that Fayetteville, AR was the first white HS in the South to integrate.  That might be a little embellishment (I confess I have no idea). But this article dies state Fayetteville High was first white HS in Arkansas to integrate.  Interesting.

Fayetteville & Charleston were the first couple. Hoxie was next the following year.

[Senor_Pablo]

fascinating. Thanks, for sharing...
many years ago, one of my patients was a former, long time high school football coach who had a serious illness and as his health declined, he was being visiting a lot by former players. They would let me sit in on some of their visits & discussions. I'm ashamed to say that I did not write down the names of the teams, their accomplishments,and so forth. They took great pride in their school. Likewise, there was talk of scrimmaging "white" teams (?Hot Springs High?).  I think their team was was "Langston" in Hot Springs... and they played their games at a location (torn down stadium?) off Malvern Ave. (near where the county library & health department is now located.) They played teams from L.R. & around the area...

[DeltaBoy]

Great History!!!!

[edemire]

I was in a waiting room and there was a book on the table about forgotten stories of African American athletes in Arkansas.  There was a story about the Black Razorbacks football team who scrimmaged in Fayetteville against the white teams of both FV high school as well as the university.  Apparently were given hand me down uniforms from the Razorbacks.  I had never heard this story before and was fascinated.  I thought there may be some on Hogville who might know something about this and could share.  Pretty good interview on the link attached.  http://www.bestofarkansassports.com/black-razorbacks-kyle-kellams/

Thanks for picking up my book! (Yep, I'm the author).
That book was a labor of great love. I'm honored that it's also given me a chance to build something bigger off it in terms of lesson plans so the next generation can learn from our heritage:

http://www.arhistoryhub.com/arkansass-african-american-sports-heritage

[From Tusk Till Dawn]

The pleasure was mine, the only issue I had was that they called my name just when I was getting to the interesting part.  I do plan on getting a copy because I thought it was fascinating and was surprised I had never heard of it.  Great stuff!

[rljjr]

Thanks for picking up my book! (Yep, I'm the author).
That book was a labor of great love. I'm honored that it's also given me a chance to build something bigger off it in terms of lesson plans so the next generation can learn from our heritage:

http://www.arhistoryhub.com/arkansass-african-american-sports-heritage

This is fantastic. I hope the local TV folks ask you to come on their show. This would be a fascinating history piece that most of us never heard of before. Good luck with your books!

[edemire]

This is fantastic. I hope the local TV folks ask you to come on their show. This would be a fascinating history piece that most of us never heard of before. Good luck with your books!

Actually, lo and behold, a couple of stations did interview me 

http://katv.com/sports/content/new-book-highlights-untold-stories-of-african-american-athletes-in-arkansas
http://5newsonline.com/2018/02/19/demirels-book-highlights-rich-history-of-arkansas-sports/

[greenEGnHAWGS]

This is awesome! You never know who is on HV these days. That book looks very interesting and I'll be looking to pick up a copy soon!

[RebelliousHog]

That's pretty dang cool.

[PigPusher]

Was in school during the late sixties and early seventies. During that time I believe we had the first black athletic who ever played football at the University of Arkansas. Was his last name Jackson, Richardson (not the coach), Meadors? Can't remember the name but do remember he was welcomed with open arms.

[edemire]

Was in school during the late sixties and early seventies. During that time I believe we had the first black athletic who ever played football at the University of Arkansas. Was his last name Jackson, Richardson (not the coach), Meadors? Can't remember the name but do remember he was welcomed with open arms.

I appreciate the interest, y'all! The book was definitely a labor of love, but it's good to see Barnes & Noble and other AR bookstores picking it up.

As for the football player, are you talking about Jon Richardson? He was in a first wave of football African Americans in fall 1969, but two guys (Darrell Brown and Hiram McBeth) preceded him.

http://www.bestofarkansassports.com/hiram-mcbeth-little-known-black-razorback-pioneer/


http://aymag.com/heritage-sports-hiram-mcbeth-broke-new-ground/

[PigPusher]

I appreciate the interest, y'all! The book was definitely a labor of love, but it's good to see Barnes & Noble and other AR bookstores picking it up.

As for the football player, are you talking about Jon Richardson? He was in a first wave of football African Americans in fall 1969, but two guys (Darrell Brown and Hiram McBeth) preceded him.

http://www.bestofarkansassports.com/hiram-mcbeth-little-known-black-razorback-pioneer/


http://aymag.com/heritage-sports-hiram-mcbeth-broke-new-ground/

Yes, thanks it was Jon Richardson. Surprisingly there was talk around school that there would be demonstrations but not one and all were very accepting. Perhaps the older crowd harbored some long established attitudes, but the younger groups just let it be another day as it should have been. And, so it goes.