Sports Studies Commons^™

Interview No. 1648, David Lattin

Combined Interviews

David Lattin describes his recruitment into the Texas Western College basketball team. He began as a student at Tennessee State but was unhappy there and then later transferred to Texas Western College. Mr. Lattin describes positive experiences with his new team and coach, Don Haskins. He also describes hardships and fears he encountered in the team; since he played alongside others who were taller than him, Lattin feared that someday the ball would go over his head when it was passed to him. Lattin became less weary of this as he began to build trust amongst his team members. Another …

Interview No. 1652, Togo Railey

Combined Interviews

Togo Railey discusses his recruitment and experience playing for the Texas Western College basketball team. As a basketball player in Austin High School, he had two influential coaches who influenced his decision to attend Texas Western College. While in high school, he recalls the presence of Texas-Western’s basketball coach, Don Haskins, who actively promoted basketball in El Paso and was always looking for recruits. He discusses his admiration for Coach Haskins who he describes as well mannered, a taskmaster, and basketball enthusiast. Railey also describes his first impressions of the Texas-Western basketball team, who he knew would perform well because …

Interview No. 1653, Nevil Shed

Combined Interviews

Nevil Shed discusses his experience playing for the Texas Western College basketball team. He discusses his initial prospects of working in the fast food industry but then decided it was not a career path he wanted to follow. Shed was recruited into Texas Western College basketball team thanks to a recommendation made by a former player of the team who recommended him to Coach Don Haskins. He then describes his first impressions of El Paso, its mountains, and its friendly atmosphere. Unlike other college campuses, he enjoyed that people talked to him to ask how he was doing. Coach Haskins …

Interview No. 1646, Tyrone Bobby Joe Hill

Combined Interviews

He was originally from Michigan but was playing at a junior college in Iowa where Don Haskins saw him play and recruited him; he was not familiar with the city or school, he was surprised by the size and warm weather; he mentions that Jim Barnes and Nolan Richardson showed him around town and people were friendly. He describes his initial impression of Don Haskins was that he was nice, but at practice found out that he was very disciplinarian; he mentions that he thought the 1965-66 team was good, but they had a quiet confidence; he addresses the story …

Interview No. 1650, Eddie Mullens

Combined Interviews

Eddie Mullens describes his career as a publicity director for the Texas Western College basketball team. When Coach Don Haskins first invited him to the campus, George McCarty, the athletic director, offered him a job. Mullens did not take the job at first due to the low pay, until he was called back days later with the offer of a higher salary. He believed Texas Western had a great team but did not foresee that it would make it to the national competition. Mullens is credited with giving nicknames to the team members such as Jim Barnes who he called …

Interview No. 1651, Richard Myers

Combined Interviews

Richard Myers discusses his background and experience playing for the Texas Western College basketball team that won the 1966 NCAA championship. As a native of Kansas, he discusses his optimistic first impressions of El Paso, coach Haskins, and his team. While his team attained notoriety for having five all-star African American players, Myers notes that their placement was due to their abilities, not because of their skin color. The media was responsible for placing such a heavy emphasis on his teammates’ skin color as the season progressed. He maintains that his team was not racially discriminated against as they travelled. …

Interview No. 1645, Don Haskins

Combined Interviews

He played basketball at Oklahoma A&M; he played with the Artesia Travelers in the National Industrial Basketball League; he went to a coaching clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico where Texas Western Head Coach George McCarty convinced Don Haskins to complete his degree; explains that in the interim he took a job coaching basketball and driving the school bus in Benjamin, Texas and later Hedley, Texas. Mr. Haskins recalls that while he was coaching at Dumas, Texas, George McCarty Dean from Texas Western College recruited him to be head coach. Mr. Haskins addresses his reputation as a tough coach by stating …

Excess And The Internet At The Super Bowl, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Is there anyone alive in the United States today who does not know that the Super Bowl is coming up on Sunday? It is Super Bowl XXXVI, thirty-six in real numbers, and will be played in what should be the permanent home of the Super Bowl, New Orleans. There is no venue more appropriate, save perhaps Vegas, for this mid-winter festival of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous waste, not be mention decadence, in these high holy days of the American Empire.

Capriati's Comeback Capped At The Australian Open - Ty Tryon's Meltdown, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It was just a year ago that Jennifer Capriati completed her remarkable and inspiring comeback with a victory in the Australian Open. She went on to win the French Open last year, her second grand slam victory, in what was certainly her best year of tennis since the early days before she hit the wall and her career disintegrated.

The Unwritten Rules Of Nba Officiating: When Will Mark Cuban Learn, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

As Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban goes off to manage a Dairy Queen today it is a reminder not only of his insult of NBA referees but of three basic facts of American life. First, it takes no particular intelligence to become a billionaire. Second, some people have way too much money. And third, it is an absolutely futile exercise to criticize the referees in the National Basketball Association.

Beaten To Death On Ice: Out Of Control Parents And Youth Sports, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

On Friday forty-four year old Thomas Junta was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Costin on July 5, 2000 in the Boston suburb of Reading. This piece of news is nothing extraordinary as similar items can be found in most daily newspapers across the country once or twice a year. What made this case of extraordinary interest across America, put it on Court TV, and attracted extensive coverage on the 24/7 news channels was the particular setting and circumstances of the case.

David Zang's Sportswars: A Review, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Every now and then I read a book that for some reason strikes a particular chord with me. This doesn't make it a great book, but for me it is an important book because it evokes significant emotional or intellectual responses. When that happens I generally tell everyone I know that they need to read this new book.

Steve Spurrier Resigns, Dennis Green Fired, Ty Williamham Hired - More Bcs, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

If the first few days of the New Year there are many indications 2002 could turn out to be much more than simply a palindromic delight. The seismic rumblings out of Gainesville, Florida yesterday overshadowed the Category Five Hurricane that swept from California to Nebraska on Thursday. The totally unexpected resignation by Steve Spurrier as Gator football coach would easily have overshadowed such an action by the governor of the state, and perhaps even that of the governor's brother. It has been front-page news across Florida for two days now, and local television news has been overrun by this story …

Wilbur Charles ("Weeb") Ewbank, John A. Drobnicki

Publications and Research

Weeb Ewbank was a professional football coach who won championships with two different teams, the Baltimore Colts and the New York Jets.

Terrance Gordon ("Terry") Sawchuk, John A. Drobnicki

Publications and Research

Terry Sawchuk was a Hall of Fame hockey goaltender who set records for shutouts and victories.

Interview No. 1641, Jerry Armstrong

Combined Interviews

Mr. Armstrong briefly explains how he got recruited from high school to play basketball for Coach Don Haskins; he explains that his desire to leave Missouri was to see a different part of the country; he describes the campus, climate, and friendliness of locals in El Paso and Texas Western College. Mr. Armstrong describes Don Haskins personality on and off the court as demanding but fair; he describes the 1965-66 team as very good and confident; he mentions how teams in the western U.S. did not receive the same coverage as eastern college teams at the time. Mr. Armstrong recounts …

Interview No. 1643, Willie Cager

Combined Interviews

He describes how he had to finish up courses in New York and later in El Paso in order to attend Texas Western College; he goes over how local recruiters selected him based on his basketball ability. Mr. Cager mentions that he had to adjust to the desert but that he had no real culture shock due to the diversity of his native New York City. He recounts having to adjust to Coach Haskins due to him stressing defense where he focused more on offense; he states that he was versatile and could play guard, forward, or center; he explains …

Interview No. 1647, Moe Iba

Combined Interviews

Moe Iba was an Assistant Coach for the 1965-66 Texas Western College basketball team that won the 1966 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament; Don Haskins played for his father at Oklahoma A&M; Mr. Haskins hired him out of college; he mentions that he did not know if they would go to NCAA Championships but freshman from the previous year were now eligible to play for the varsity team and Bobby Joe Hill was getting better giving him confidence in the 1965-66 team. Addresses statement that Don Haskins called the 1966 team the worst team at the beginning of the …

The Year Of Sport And Society In Review, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Normally I don't do a year in review piece although I think I did review the year in Sport and Society one time. I will do it because of the fact that one event so dominated American consciousness this past year that it will make this calendar year a very memorable and special one.

"Ali" The Film: A Review, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Across the world in this century there is no other sports figure better known and more admired than Muhammad Ali. In the United States there may be no sports figure more admired and reviled in any century than Muhammad Ali. For these and other reasons the opening of the film "Ali" today is a much-anticipated event.

George O'Leary And Notre Dame's Integrity, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

George O'Leary's tenure as head football coach at the University of Notre Dame was shorter than even his most vehement detractors had predicted. It took him only five days to self-destruct which could be a NCAA record.

Sport And The Theater Of The Absurd, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

There are times when I think that the entire world of sport was put on this earth to amuse me with unending scenes from the theater of the absurd. The last several days brought repeated waves of this feeling.

Pearl Harbor And Baseball, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

As predicted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt December 7, 1941 was a day that has lived in infamy. Sixty years ago the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II.

The Bcs And The Non-Sense It Spawns, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

About this time each year since the creation of the BCS I have posed the question, "Who took the "C" out of the "BCS?" Each year there are different answers to the question, and this year there are many and there may be still more to come.

Thanksgiving And Football, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

(As with all American traditions if it happened once or twice it is one. Therefore I present my traditional Thanksgiving piece) The History of Thanksgiving and of Football both go back into the Middle Ages, and so it may not be so strange that the two would become intertwined in modern America.

Mark Mcgwire Leaves The Game: His Legacy, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Mark McGwire has retired. He will be best remembered as the man who broke Roger Maris' single season home run record. He will be remembered in tandem with Sammy Sosa for that wonderful season of 1998 when the two of them chased Roger Maris across the sands of time and then both caught him. He will be remembered for the wonderful scene as he broke Maris' record. He will be remembered as one of the "Bash Brothers" who, along with Jose Canseco, redefined the term "long ball" and became a "murderer's row" of two.

Downsizing Mlb, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

When asked if it was a sad day for baseball when it was announced that two major league baseball teams would be eliminated within the next few weeks, Bud Selig, Baseball's Wizard of Oz, said "no." What did you expect from the man who cancelled the World Series?

Patriotism Post 9/11 And Contraction, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Now back in the country among My Fellow Americans, but still wandering the highways and byways, I watch with some interest the spectacle of the baseball playoffs and the World Series in the new Post-9/11 World. I am struck by the intensity of the patriotic pageantry prior to each game. The often beautiful and moving singing of the National Anthem; the excessive displays of the red, white and blue; President Bush throwing out the first ball at the World Series; all conspire to mark these events as great moments of communal remembrance and/or celebration.

Ua12/2/1 Super Powers, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special women's basketball issue of the College Heights Herald. Articles:

• Compton, Michael. Natalie Powers Ready to Take Center Stage
• Tucker, Kyle. Brutal Schedule Should Keep Nation Watching
• Sutton, Lyndsay. LaVonda Johnson Returns from ACL Tear
• Schoenbaechler, Danny. Lady Toppers Trying to Replace ShaRae Mansfield Inside
• Bastani, Camron. Season Ticket Sales Fall 10 Percent, Raise Concern
• Moore, Michael. Shawn Campbell Finds Coaching Love Connection
• Lewis, Dustin. Lady Topper Backcourt Still a Mystery
• Clark, Ryan. Louisiana Tech’s Departure Clears Yard
• Farner, Keith. Transfers Will Add Height, Experience
• Compton, Michael. Vanderbilt University Rules, Cardinals Appear in Top 25

The Late But Still Great World Series: Bob Brenly Is Blessed At The Bob, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

In many ways this unpredictable World Series was highly predictable, in other ways it was one of the wildest crapshoots in recent history. It was also one of the best World Series ever, rivaling the 1991 Twins-Braves in my memory bank.