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Message: [QUOTE="AZHuskiePop, post: 1017273, member: 1609"] The problem you have is setting a date for Civil Rights . There were significant integrated teams in the north well before 1964 An African American starred at Yale in the 40's You also have the problem of the sociological component that go into making up sport,added to the sports that predominant within a culture,at any era. Baseball was the dominant sport in the US ,particularly in rural ares,That's why Jackie Robinson was such a big deal. He had previously starred in football at UCLA without much fanfare. Baseball was the sport that everyone cared about and played. Football was extremely complex It was created by an elite class, Universities were mostly unobtainable to most until the GI bill. In essence the vast majority regardless of race or religion were denied access. It was adopted by high schools, and club institutions as there is significantly more expense tied to football. My dad played for a Derby club Team made up of Italian immigrants kids. Sponsored by a club. Remember even high school was not attainable as these kids stared working at 14 or younger. Mine and Mill towns especially adopted this sport. Professional football played on Sundays to avoid competition with High School,and Club ball. One could argue the demise of industry has a direct correlation to the demise of football talent in the northeast and Midwest. What we know as modern big city basketball was pioneered by the Jewish population of New York and Philly. The NCAA tourney plus the NIT were played in New York. As rural African Americans fled the south for the Northern Cities, mostly after WWII ,basketball was adopted by the kids even as their Dad's remained avid baseball fans. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach