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LUBBOCK, Texas — In honor of Black History Month, EverythingLubbock.com is recognizing figures and groups from around the Lubbock area that helped pave the way for African Americans to have representation in the community. This includes the first African American athlete to play for Texas Tech, Danny Hardaway.
Texas Tech was unfortunately not immune to the pitfalls of segregation and discrimination that were rampant in pre-Civil Rights America. The university was closed off to African American students for nearly 40 years of its existence, with Lucille S. Graves breaking the color barrier in 1961 in a revolutionary shift. While the academic sector of Texas Tech became integrated, the university’s athletic programs remained separated for two more years. Finally, on December 7, 1963, the Board of Directors voted to integrate the athletic programs and made Texas Tech the fifth member of the Southwest Conference to allow African American players.
‘Only 74 years of service’: Lubbock Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Following this monumental decision, it would take another four years for an African American athlete to suit up for the scarlet and black. In 1967, Lawton, Oklahoma football standout Danny Hardaway became the first of African American athlete to be granted an athletic scholarship by Texas Tech. Through two seasons of play for the Red Raiders, Hardaway tallied close to 800 rushing yards, just over 250 receiving yards, accounted for four touchdowns and lettered as both a running back and receiver. While his impact on the field was evident, the foundation he set for generations of Texas Tech athletes to follow far exceeds any statistics. Hardaway’s achievement not only created long-term opportunities, but had an immediate impact on the Texas Tech football program. Three years after his landmark, the Red Raiders would increase their number of African American players to four, including Hardaway…