Integrating Basketball

Segregation was rampant when African American Bill Garrett led Shelbyville to the 1947 state high school basketball title. At the time, an unwritten rule barred blacks from Big Ten basketball. Faburn DeFrantz and Indianapolis black leaders worked with IU president Herman B Wells to give Garrett a chance at IU. Garrett's 1948 varsity debut directly challenged the Big Ten ban. During his IU years, parts of campus were desegregated, but in the Big Ten he never played with or against another black player. He graduated in 1951 as an All-American with IU's career scoring record. His achievements helped create opportunities for other black players in the Midwest. Named coach at Indianapolis Crispus Attucks in 1957, his team won the 1959 state title.

Bloomington, Indiana · United States