University of Virginia Library

More Than The Score

Black
Athletes

By Steve Giannini

A DIFFERENT SIGHT awaited those who showed up at
University Hall before the varsity basketball game in time to see
the Cavayearlings Saturday. There are now two black players
among Coach DiBiasio's troops, Lee Pringle and James Small.
Pringle has started at pivot man and has scored and rebounded
well. Neither is a scholarship player.

It seems at last that the elusive race barrier in the athletic
department has been broken. But actually it was broken earlier,
less obviously. In the only scholarship sports at Virginia, football
and basketball, Coach George Blackburn and Coach Bill Gibson
have tried to get black athletes, but without results. Last year's
CD sports editor, Bob Cullen, suggested with evidence that the
problem was inherent in the University - too few black students,
white student prejudices. There was also something of a problem
in the Athletic Department, in that the coaches did not have
contacts with predominantly Negro high schools and went after
only the blue chippers who were hotly sought after by athletic
powers.

THE ENTIRE SITUATION has changed somewhat. This year
Coach Blackburn's staff has sought a number of outstanding
black athletes from Virginia. As a result, Stanley Land from
Rockbridge High School, a 210-pound defensive end and
offensive fullback, has been signed, and others are being courted.
The Athletic Department stresses that this is not token effort and
has not been in the past, that the prospects just look brighter this
year.

What has helped this recruiting effort?

There are now four black athletes competing on Virginia
teams. In addition to the two first-year basketball players, there is
Buzzy Jones, who started at offensive guard for the Cavayearlings
football team. He is not now on a scholarship, but it is possible
that he will receive one and certainly will deserve it if he can help
the varsity.

ANOTHER BLACK ATHLETE, Nat Lucas, is currently high
jumping for Coach Lou Onesty's track squad. Last spring he just
came out for the team and has since been clearing over six feet
consistently. Coach Onesty looks to Lucas to help the team this
year in that event.

These athletes could have some positive influence on the black
players whom the Athletic Department wants to get.

BUT THE MORE IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION for the
prospective black athletes is the University itself. They come to
get an education, and they face problems, for it is hard for all but
the most moderate black student to find an acceptable social life
at the University. Only five first-year black students joined
fraternities; there are few black girls here or nearby to date, and
the list could go on.

The present problems are now being confronted to some
degree, and the overall situation should improve as more black
students come to Virginia and are integrated into the University's
life.

IT IS ENCOURAGING to see the Athletic Department
making the effort and beginning to succeed to a degree in
integrating the University's athletic program. One hopes for more
success, for in addition to getting quality athletic ability, it is
imperative that athletic integration continue to create and
maintain balance between the academic and athletic aspects of
black recruiting.

Second Virginia Football Recruit Signs Grant-in-aid

Virginia's Athletic Department announced the signing of the
second black football recruit, Darryl Thompson from Woodrow
Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. Thompson at 6-1,
190 pounds started at linebacker for three years on a team that
was 18-1-1 over that period.