John Crawford - ISU's First Black MBB Player

[isucy86]

Was just on the Cyclones.com and noticed that ISU is recognizing John Crawford at this weekend's OU game. I was not aware of John Crawford's legacy as the first Black basketball player at ISU. Interesting read, here is link to article:

John Crawford

But it got me thinking. John Crawford played at ISU from 1955-1958. That was 30+ years after Jack Trice. Maybe we have some Cyclone history buffs here. Were there other Black football players at ISU during the 1923-1955 period? I would assume yes. But I also know that sports in the USA went through a period of segregation in the 1920's-1940's.

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Thanks

 

[NWICY]

Was just on the Cyclones.com and noticed that ISU is recognizing John Crawford at this weekend's OU game. I was not aware of John Crawford's legacy as the first Black basketball player at ISU. Interesting read, here is link to article:

John Crawford

But it got me thinking. John Crawford played at ISU from 1955-1958. That was 30+ years after Jack Trice. Maybe we have some Cyclone history buffs here. Were there other Black football players at ISU during the 1923-1955 period? I would assume yes. But I also know that sports in the USA went through a period of segregation in the 1920's-1940's.

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Thanks

@Kagavi

 

[theshadow]

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Recruiting -- if you can call it that -- was hyper-local in those days.

Without Sam Willaman, who had direct ties in Ohio, we may not have Jack Trice in Ames.

Basketball was the same way. The roster was almost entirely Iowa kids, with maybe an Illinois or Wisconsin kid here or there. And Iowa wasn't (and still isn't) a hotbed of diversity.

 

[theshadow]

For example, this is the hometown list from the 1953-54 varsity roster (the year before Crawford came to Ames). All 17 of them were from Iowa.

Atlantic
Montezuma
Shenandoah
Rinard
Ankeny
Ottumwa
Des Moines
Spencer
Fort Dodge
Davenport
Sheldahl
Manning
Lehigh
Ames
Armstrong
Reinbeck
Farragut

 

[MuskieCy]

On Monday, January 14, 1957, I State defeated KU 39-37. Mom and Pops got a neighbor in Pammel Court to stay with 7 month old brother and were at the game.

I am Mary Greeley Class of 1957,......10-15-57. 9 months and 1 day from the takedown of the Big Dipper. A coincidence?,.....I think I am part of a big win celebration!!!

 

[NWICY]

For example, this is the hometown list from the 1953-54 varsity roster (the year before Crawford came to Ames). All 17 of them were from Iowa.

Atlantic
Montezuma
Shenandoah
Rinard
Ankeny
Ottumwa
Des Moines
Spencer
Fort Dodge
Davenport
Sheldahl
Manning
Lehigh
Ames
Armstrong
Reinbeck
Farragut

Hey where do you find that, I want to look at the names on that roster. Google failed me.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

awesome! never heard of him! thank you

 

[Dr.bannedman]

he sounded like a great man and a good cyclone.

 

[nfrine]

On Monday, January 14, 1957, I State defeated KU 39-37. Mom and Pops got a neighbor in Pammel Court to stay with 7 month old brother and were at the game.

I am Mary Greeley Class of 1957,......10-15-57. 9 months and 1 day from the takedown of the Big Dipper. A coincidence?,.....I think I am part of a big win celebration!!!

You think Wilt might be your father....?

 

[jsb]

Was just on the Cyclones.com and noticed that ISU is recognizing John Crawford at this weekend's OU game. I was not aware of John Crawford's legacy as the first Black basketball player at ISU. Interesting read, here is link to article:

John Crawford

But it got me thinking. John Crawford played at ISU from 1955-1958. That was 30+ years after Jack Trice. Maybe we have some Cyclone history buffs here. Were there other Black football players at ISU during the 1923-1955 period? I would assume yes. But I also know that sports in the USA went through a period of segregation in the 1920's-1940's.

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Thanks

I think there were a few other Black football players after Jack Trice. But I believe there was a gap of several years where there were none until the 50’s.

 

[Oldgeezer]

When Bill Stranger took over as coach in 1954-55 he started recruiting nation wide. He had a contact in NYC and sold John C on thr small town school. The team had some problems with hotels and restaurants in the south because JC was a black He was not allowed to eat with the team sometimes. I spent some time in Oklahoma while I was in the army in 1954 and saw some of these hings. We had a black guy in our outfit, and we had to avoid some places where he couldn't go.

 

[CycloneGamecock]

Hey where do you find that, I want to look at the names on that roster. Google failed me.

Would love to see that too...especially Sheldahl.

Edit: upon googling:

1953–54 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[GMackey32]

Was just on the Cyclones.com and noticed that ISU is recognizing John Crawford at this weekend's OU game. I was not aware of John Crawford's legacy as the first Black basketball player at ISU. Interesting read, here is link to article:

John Crawford

But it got me thinking. John Crawford played at ISU from 1955-1958. That was 30+ years after Jack Trice. Maybe we have some Cyclone history buffs here. Were there other Black football players at ISU during the 1923-1955 period? I would assume yes. But I also know that sports in the USA went through a period of segregation in the 1920's-1940's.

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Thanks

@Jar_Lar

 

[Seanfromtexas]

Was just on the Cyclones.com and noticed that ISU is recognizing John Crawford at this weekend's OU game. I was not aware of John Crawford's legacy as the first Black basketball player at ISU. Interesting read, here is link to article:

John Crawford

But it got me thinking. John Crawford played at ISU from 1955-1958. That was 30+ years after Jack Trice. Maybe we have some Cyclone history buffs here. Were there other Black football players at ISU during the 1923-1955 period? I would assume yes. But I also know that sports in the USA went through a period of segregation in the 1920's-1940's.

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Thanks

Was at Texas a couple weeks ago when we played. They honored their first black mbb player, he was a senior in 1972. I looked at my dad and said “they really just said 1972?” 30 years after jack trice isn’t very good no but at least we aren’t Texas. Horns down

 

[Cyclad]

Was at Texas a couple weeks ago when we played. They honored their first black mbb player, he was a senior in 1972. I looked at my dad and said “they really just said 1972?” 30 years after jack trice isn’t very good no but at least we aren’t Texas. Horns down

I played HS ball with Jerry Moses. He graduated in 1970. Alabama offered him a football scholarship. He would have been the first black player at Alabama had he accepted it. Although many forms of discrimination still exist, it’s almost hard to believe just how blatant it was only 50 years ago.

 

[BCClone]

For example, this is the hometown list from the 1953-54 varsity roster (the year before Crawford came to Ames). All 17 of them were from Iowa.

Atlantic
Montezuma
Shenandoah
Rinard
Ankeny
Ottumwa
Des Moines
Spencer
Fort Dodge
Davenport
Sheldahl
Manning
Lehigh
Ames
Armstrong
Reinbeck
Farragut

Armstrong? Which one?

 

[Oldgeezer]

Armstrong? Which one?
[/QUO Arnie Gaarde was from Armstrong, NW Iowa. Medsker was from Colorado. John Crawford was NYC. The rest of the team that beat Wilt was from Iowa

 

[Jar_Lar]

@Jar_Lar

Indeed. Holloway Smith.

WRNL article below

Who Was Holloway Smith?

Jack Trice was the first African American to play at Iowa State but do you know the second? His name, as is in the title, is Holloway Smith.

www.widerightnattylite.com

 

[Jar_Lar]

Hate to double comment, but if you'd like to learn more about John Crawford's professional exploits I have another WRNL article.

Iowa State Players in Professional Men’s Basketball: Part 1 (1946-1980s)

Curious to learn about the Cyclones that started their professional basketball career from 1946 to the 1980s?

www.widerightnattylite.com

 

[t-noah]

Was just on the Cyclones.com and noticed that ISU is recognizing John Crawford at this weekend's OU game. I was not aware of John Crawford's legacy as the first Black basketball player at ISU. Interesting read, here is link to article:

John Crawford

But it got me thinking. John Crawford played at ISU from 1955-1958. That was 30+ years after Jack Trice. Maybe we have some Cyclone history buffs here. Were there other Black football players at ISU during the 1923-1955 period? I would assume yes. But I also know that sports in the USA went through a period of segregation in the 1920's-1940's.

It is incredible to me that it was 30+ years after Jack Trice before ISU would have a black MBB player.

Thanks

@Kagavi

@Jar_Lar

Really loved seeing the recognition of John Crawford this week and at todays' game and on the TV broadcast. God bless him and very thankful that he was a Cyclone!

Good call on @Kagavi and @Jar_Lar ! We might have to wait awhile on each of them, especially kagavi as he doesn't always check in. Both are great.