History, Heart, Hall of Fame
History,
Hallof
ofFame
Fame
History,Heart,
Heart, Hall
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University started from meager beginnings as a
Founded
inin1912,
Tennessee State
StateUniversity
Universitystarted
started
from
meager
beginnings
Founded
1912,
fromworked
meagerto
beginnings
normal school
forTennessee
Negroes with 247
students. Everyone
keep the as a
as a normal school for Negroes with 247 students. Everyone worked to keep the
normal
school
for Negroes
students.
Everyone
worked
to keep the
institution
operating
in its with
early 247
years,
from clearing
rocks
to harvesting
crops, and
institution operating in its early years, from clearing rocks to harvesting crops, and
institution
operating
in its early
years, from
clearing rocksState
to harvesting crops,
even carrying
chairs from
class-to-class.
Men'sand
even
carrying chairs
from class
to class.The
TheTennessee
Tennessee StateUniversity
University
Men’s
even
carrying chairs
from class-to-class.
The
Tennessee
State
University
Men's
Championship
Basketball
Teams
of
1957
1958
and
1959
truly
embodied
the
spirit
Championship Basketball teams of 1957, 1958 and 1959 truly embodied the
spirit
Championship
Basketball
Teams
of achievement,
1957 1958 andinnovation,
1959 truly determination,
embodied the spirit
of
its
institution,
a
proud
legacy
of
and
of its institution, a proud legacy of achievement, innovation, determination and
ofcourage.
its institution,
awith
proud
legacy
of achievement,
innovation,
determination,
and
Armed
themission
mission
"Think. Work.
Work.
Serve" these
men
courage.
Armed
with
the
ofof“Think.
Serve,”
theseyoung
young
men
helped
courage.
Armed
with
the
mission
of
"Think.
Work.
Serve"
these
young
men
helped
to
bring
worldwide
recognition
to
Tennessee
State,
the
City
of
Nashville,
to bring worldwide recognition to Tennessee State, the city of Nashville, and the
helped
toState
bringofworldwide
recognition to Tennessee State, the City of Nashville,
andofthe
Tennessee.
state
Tennessee.
and the State of Tennessee.
Today, TSU is recognized as a comprehensive, urban coeducational, , land-grand
Today,
TSU
is isrecognized
asasaacomprehensive,
urban
co-educational,
land-grant
Today,
TSUand
recognized
comprehensive,
urban
coeducational,
, land-grand
university
premiere
Historically
Black College
or University
(HBCU).
In January
university
and
premiere
Historically
Black
College
or
University
(HBCU).
In
university
premiere
Historically
Black
University
(HBCU).
In January
2013, Dr.and
Glenda
Glover
became the
firstCollege
female or
President
to lead
the institution.
January
2013,
Dr. Glenda became
Glover became
the firstPresident
female president
lead the
2013,
Dr.
Glenda
the first
female
to lead that
thetoinstitution.
President
GloverGlover
is one of hundreds
of noted,
trailblazing alumni
stand on the
institution.
President
Glover
is one ofofhundreds
of notable,
trailblazing
alumni
who
President
one
of hundreds
noted,
trailblazing
stand
on the
shouldersGlover
of this isaccomplished
Basketball
Powerhouse
ofalumni
the latethat
1950s.
stand on the shoulders of this accomplished basketball powerhouse of the late 1950s.
shoulders of this accomplished Basketball Powerhouse of the late 1950s.
The Real Pioneers
The
TheReal
Real Pioneers
Pioneers
Another all-black team was the first on ''Glory Road''
On March 16, 1957, a Saturday night, the Associated Press moved a
Another all-black team was the first on ''Glory Road''
story from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
On March 16, 1957, a Saturday night, the Associated Press moved a
basketball tournament in Kansas City, Mo. It reported that
story from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Tennessee State defeated Southeastern Oklahoma 92-73 to win the
basketball tournament in Kansas City, Mo. It reported that
NAIA title .It would have been just another small-college
Tennessee State defeated Southeastern Oklahoma 92-73 to win the
championship game, except for what was mentioned in the third
NAIA title .It would have been just another small-college
paragraph:
championship game, except for what was mentioned in the third
“Tennessee State thus became the first all-Negro team to win a
paragraph:
major basketball tournament in history.”
“Tennessee State thus became the first all-Negro team to win a
major basketball tournament in history.”
Wait. Wasn’t Texas Western, the team depicted in the current hit
movie “Glory Road” the first all-black starting five to win a college
Wait. Wasn’t Texas Western, the team depicted in the current hit
national title? Not by nearly a decade. Not that many people
movie “Glory Road” the first all-black starting five to win a college
remember.
national title? Not by nearly a decade. Not that many people
remember.
“I’ve always felt that we’ve been overlooked,” said Nurlin Tarrant,
who played on the team and serves as president of the Tennessee
“I’ve always felt that we’ve been overlooked,” said Nurlin Tarrant,
State basketball alumni association.
who played on the team and serves as president of the Tennessee
State basketball alumni association.
The Tigers have been overlooked in part because the NAIA is a lower
classification than the NCAA. Still, it was the only classification
The Tigers have been overlooked in part because the NAIA is a lower
available to them. And it was only through the efforts of their
classification than the NCAA. Still, it was the only classification
legendary coach, the late John McLendon, that Tennessee State was
available to them. And it was only through the efforts of their
eligible to compete for a national title at all.
legendary coach, the late John McLendon, that Tennessee State was
-By Ed Miller
eligible to compete for a national title at all.
The Virginian-Pilot
-By Ed MillerJanuary, 2008
The Virginian-Pilot January, 2008
1
1
1956 Prelude To A Championship...
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament was established
1956
Prelude
To
Championship...
1956
Prelude
ToA
Arecognize
Championship...
in 1937
by Dr.
James
toA
the (1956)…
basketball programs of smaller colleges and
1956
Prelude
To
Championship...
Prelude
To
A Naismith
Championship
The National
of goal
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament was established
universities,
withAssociation
the ultimate
The
National
Association
of
Intercollegiate
Athletics
(NAIA)Tournament
Tournament
wasestablished
established
The
National
Association
of
Intercollegiate
Athletics
(NAIA)
Tournament
was
established
The
National
of Intercollegiate
(NAIA)
was
1937 byAssociation
Dr.
James champion.
Naismith
to recognizeAthletics
the
basketball
programs
of smaller
colleges
and
of in
crowning
a
national
in
1937
by
Dr.
James
Naismith
to
recognize
the
basketball
programs
of
smaller
colleges
and
in 1937
by James
Dr.
Naismith
to recognize
basketballprograms
programs of
of smaller
smaller colleges
inFrom
1937
byconception,
Dr.
Naismith
to
recognize
thethebasketball
collegesand
universities,
withJames
the
ultimate
goal
its
the
NAIA
universities,with
withthe
theultimate
ultimate
goal
and universities,
the
ultimategoal
universities,
of
crowninghas
awith
national
champion.
Tournament
featured
only
32
ofcrowning
crowningaaanational
national
champion.
goal From
of
national
champion.
of
crowning
its conception,
thechampion.
NAIA
teams
with
the
Finals
taking
place
From
its
conception,
the
NAIA
FromTournament
its conception,
the NAIA
From
its conception,
the only
NAIA
has
featured
32
in Kansas
City,
Missouri
at the
Tournament
has
featured
only
32
Tournament
has
featured
only
32
Tournament
has
featured
only
32
teams
with
the
Finals
taking
place
Municipal
Auditorium.
Intaking
1948,
teams
with
theFinals
Finals
place
teams
with
the
Finals
taking
in
with
the
taking
inteams
Kansas
City,
Missouri
atplace
theplace
the
NAIA
became
the
first
in
Kansas
City,
Missouri
at
the
Kansas
City, MO
atMissouri
the Municipal
in Kansas
City,
the
Municipal
Auditorium.
In at
1948,
national
organization
to open
their
Municipal
Auditorium.
In
1948,
Auditorium.
In
1948,
the
NAIA
Municipal
Auditorium.
In 1948,
the
NAIA became
the first
intercollegiate
postseason
to black
thethe
NAIA
became
first
became
firstbecame
nationalthe
organization
the
NAIA
national
organizationthe
tofirst
open their
Today, to
the
NAIA
national
organization
toopen
open
their
tostudent-athletes.
open
their organization
intercollegiate
national
their
intercollegiate
postseason
to black
postseason
to
blackpostseason
student-athletes.
intercollegiate
postseason
toblack
black
sponsors
a Division
II
intercollegiate
student-athletes.
Today, thetoNAIA
Today,
the
NAIA
sponsors
a
Division
student-athletes.Today,
Today, the NAIA
championship.
student-athletes.
sponsors
a Division II the NAIA
II championship.
sponsors aaDivision
DivisionIIII
sponsors
championship.
championship.
championship.
(Top photo)
(Top photo)
Richard "Dick"
Barnett
Richard(Top
"Dick"
Barnett
photo)
(Bottom
photo)
(Top
photo)
(Bottom
photo)
Richard
"Dick"
Barnett
John
Barnhill
Richard
"Dick"
Barnett
John
Barnhill
(Bottom
photo)
(Bottom photo)
John Barnhill
John Barnhill
In 1953, Tennessee State became the first black college to
In 1953, in
Tennessee
State
became the first
black college
compete
a national
championship
tournament,
theirto
In
1953,
Tennessee
State
became
the
first
black
college
to
In ever
1953,inTennessee
State
became
firstlater
black
compete
a national
championship
tournament,
their
first
appearance.
Fourthe
years
thecollege
Tigersto
Incompete
1953,NAIA
Tennessee
State
became
the
first
black
college
anational
national
championship
tournament,
their
ininin
athe
championship
tournament,
their
first
ever
NAIA
appearance.
FourThe
years
later
the Tigers
would
shock
world!
Inchampionship
1956,
Men's
Basketball
tocompete
compete
a
national
tournament,
their
firstever
ever
NAIA
appearance.
Four
years
later
theTigers
Tigers
first
NAIA
appearance.
Four
years
later
the
would
shock
the
world!
In
1956,
The
Men's
Basketball
Team
of
then
Tennessee
State
Agricultural
&
Industrial
first
evershock
NAIA
Four The
years
laterBasketball
the Tigers
would
theappearance.
world!State
In1956,
1956,
Men's
would
shock
the
world!
In
The
Men's
Basketball
Team
of
then
Tennessee
Agricultural
&
Industrial
College
made
it
to
the
Elite
Eight
of
the
NAIA
would
shock
theTennessee
world! InState
1956,
the men’s &
basketball
Teamof
ofthen
then
Agricultural
Industrial
College
itTennessee
to the Elite
Eight
of
the NAIA
Team
State
Agricultural
& Industrial
Industrial
Tournament
defeating
Indiana
Central
(86-63)
and
team
ofmade
thenbyTennessee
State
Agricultural
&
Collegemade
made
it
tothe
theElite
Elite
Eight
ofthe
the(86-63)
NAIA and
Tournament
by
defeating
Indiana
Central
College
it
to
Eight
of
NAIA
College made itClarie
to the(62-61).
Elite Eight
NAIA Coach
Wisconsin-Eau
Ledof
bythe
legendary
Tournamentby
by
defeating
Indiana
Central
(86-63)
and
Wisconsin-Eau
Clarie
(62-61).
Led
by
legendary
Coach
Tournament
defeating
Indiana
Central
(86-63)
and
Tournament
by defeating
Indiana
John
McLendon
and
All
Americans
Wisconsin-EauClarie
Clarie(62-61).
(62-61). Led
Led by legendary Coach
Wisconsin-Eau
John
McLendon
and
All
Americans by legendary Coach
Central
(86-63)
and
Wisconsin-Eau
Dick
Barnett
and John
Barnhill,
the
John
McLendon
and
All
Americans
Dick
Barnett
andLed
John
Barnhill,
the
John
McLendon
and
Americans
Clarie
(62-61).
byAll
legendary
team
lostBarnett
to eventual
champions
Dick
andJohn
John
Barnhill,
the
team
lost
to eventual
champions
Coach
John
McLendon
and
All the
Dick
Barnett
and
Barnhill,
McNeese
State.
It
was
a
bitter
76-68
teamlost
lostState.
eventual
McNeese
It Barnett
was champions
achampions
bitter
Americans
Dick
and 76-68
John
team
toto
eventual
defeat
the
Tigers
would
not
forget.
McNeese
State.
It
was
a
bitter
76-68
Barnhill,
team
lost atonot
eventual
defeat
thethe
Tigers
forget.
McNeese
State.
Itwould
was
bitter
76-68
defeat the
theMcNeese
Tigerswould
would
notItforget.
forget.
champions
State.
was
defeat
Tigers
not
a bitter 76-68 defeat the Tigers
would not forget.
CoachJohn
John
McLendon
Coach
McLendon
Coach John McLendon
Coach John McLendon
22
22
The Dynasty Begins (1957)
The
Dynasty
(1957)
In 1957
the NAIABegins
Men's
Division
I Basketball Tournament became the first
The
Dynasty
Begins
(1957)
tournament to have seeded teams thus making it the first to have an upset. (The
In
Division
I Basketball
Tournament
became
thethe
firstfirst
In1957
1957,the
theNAIA
NAIAMen's
Men’s
Division
I Basketball
Tournament
became
NAIA seeded teams 21 years prior to the NCAA Men's Tournament.) The unseeded
tournamentto
tohave
haveseeded
seededteams
teamsthus
making
it the
firstfirst
to have
an an
upset.
(The
NAIA
tournament
making
it the
to have
upset.
(The
TSU Tigers had four upsets on the way to their first tournament finals by beating the
seededseeded
teamsteams
21 years
prior prior
to thetoNCAA
Men’sMen's
Tournament.)
The unseeded
NAIA
21 years
the NCAA
Tournament.)
The unseeded
#5
seed
Portland
((87-70),
followed
by
game
thrillers
against
the
#4
seed Western
TSUTigers
Tigershad
hadfour
fourupsets
upsetsononthe
theway
waytototheir
theirfirst
first
tournament
finals
beating
TSU
tournament
finals
byby
beating
the
Illinois
(90-88)
and
the
#1
seed,
and
perennial
powerhouse
(Pacific
Lutheran
(71theseed
#5 seed
Portland
(87-70),
followed
by game
thrillers
#4Western
seed
#5
Portland
((87-70),
followed
by game
thrillers
againstagainst
the #4the
seed
70).
The
Tigers
dished
out
the
fourth
and
most
important
victory
by
defeating
Western
Illinoisand
(90-88)
theand
#1 seed,
and perennial
powerhouse
Pacific (71-the #7
Illinois
(90-88)
the #1and
seed,
perennial
powerhouse
(Pacific Lutheran
seed Southeastern
Oklahoma
State inout
a 19-point
blowout
(92-73)
and winning
the
Lutheran
(71-70).
The
Tigers
the fourth
and most
important
victory
70).
The Tigers
dished
out
the dished
fourth and
most
important
victory
by defeating
the #7
firstthe
NAIA
Championship.
byschool's
defeating
#7 seed
Southeastern Oklahoma State in a 19-point blowout
seed Southeastern Oklahoma State in a 19-point blowout (92-73) and winning the
(92-73)
andwin,
winning
the school’s
With the
Tennessee
State became
school's first NAIA Championship.
first
Championship.
With the to
theNAIA
first historically
black institution
With
the
win,
Tennessee
State
became
win,
became
the
winTennessee
a collegiateState
basketball
national
the
first
historically
black
institution
to
first
historically black
institution
championship.
This was
just theto
win
aacollegiate
national
win
collegiatebasketball
basketball
national
beginning.
championship.
championship.This
Thiswas
wasjust
justthe
the
beginning.
beginning…
3
3
TheChampions
Champions Return
Return (1958)
The
(1958)
The
1958
Men's
NAIADivision
Division
Basketball
Tournament saw
The
Champions
Return
(1958)
The
1958
Men’s
NAIA
IIBasketball
Tournament
saw defending
defendingchampions
champions
Tennessee
State
return
as
the
#3
seed
behind
#1
Western
Illinois
and
#2
Tennessee
returnNAIA
as the
#3 seed
behind #1
Westernsaw
Illinois
and champions
#2 Coe
Coeof
of
TheState
1958 Men's
Division
I Basketball
Tournament
defending
Iowa.
That
year
the
Tigers'
average
margin
of
victory
throughout
the
tournament
was
Iowa. That
year the
average
of victory
throughout
the
Tennessee
StateTigers’
return as
the #3 margin
seed behind
#1 Western
Illinois and
#2tournament
Coe of
a blazing
29 29
points
with winswins
overover
unseeded
Northern
Michigan
(113-45)
and and
was
a blazing
points
unseeded
Northern
Michigan
(113-45)
Iowa. That
year thewith
Tigers' average
margin
of victory
throughout
the tournament
was
Anderson
(77-56)
in
the
first
two
rounds.
TSU
faced
and
defeated
its
first
seeded
Anderson
(77-56)
in thewith
firstwins
twoover
rounds.
TSUNorthern
faced and
defeated
its first
a blazing
29 points
unseeded
Michigan
(113-45)
and seeded
opponent
of
the
tournament,
#7
East
Texas
State
(81-62)
followed
by
a
Anderson
in the first
rounds.
TSU
faced
and defeated
its first
opponent
of the(77-56)
tournament,
#7two
East
Texas
State
(81-62)
followed
byseeded
avictory
victoryover
over
unseeded
Texas
Southern
(110-85)
in
the
semifinals.
The
team's
closest
win
came
opponent
the tournament,
State (81-62)
followedclosest
by a victory
over inin
unseeded
Texas of
Southern
(110-85)#7inEast
theTexas
semifinals.
The team’s
win came
unseeded Texas
Southern
(110-85)
in seed
the
The favorite
team's
closest
win came
in (85championship
finals
against
the #1
#1
seedsemifinals.
and tourney
Western
Illinois
thethe
championship
finals
against
the
and
tourney
favorite
Western
Illinois
the
championship
finals
against
the #1
favorite
73). With
thethe
win,
thethe
Tigers
became
onlyseed
theand
third
teamteam
to have
back back-to-back
toIllinois
back (85(85-73).
With
win,
Tigers
became
only
thetourney
third
toWestern
have
73).
With
the
win,
the
Tigers
became
only
the
third
team
to
have
back
to
back
championships.That
That
yearCoach
CoachMcLendon
McLendon was
was selected
selected Coach
Year,
while
championships.
year,
“Coachofofthethe
Year,”
while
championships.
That
year
Coach
McLendon
was
selected
Coach
of
the
Year,
while
player
DickBarnett
Barnettreceived
receivedthe
the“Chuck
Chuck Taylor
player
Dick
TaylorMost
MostValuable
ValuablePlayer
PlayerAward.
Award.”
player Dick Barnett received the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award.
4
4
The First to 3-Peat! (1959)
With back to back
NAIA Championships,
Tennessee State entered the 1959 Men's
The
The
First to 3-Peat!
3-Peat!(1959)
(1959)
Division 1 Basketball Tournament as the top seed. The team had an opportunity to
With
back-to-back
Championships,
State
entered
1959
Men’s
With
back toaback
Tennessee
State
entered the
the
1959
Men's
accomplish
feat NAIA
no other
team had done,Tennessee
win a third
consecutive
title.
TSU
breezed
Division
Basketball
Tournament
as
seed.
team
ananopportunity
Division
Basketball
Tournament
asthe
thetop
topNebraska
seed.The
The
teamhad
had
opportunity
through11the
tournament
beating unseeded
Wesleyan
(75-57),
#9 seed toto
accomplish
aa feat
no
had
done,
TSU
breezed
accomplish
feat
no other
other
team
hadIllinois
done, win
win
third consecutive
consecutive
title.
TSUuntil
breezed
Youngstown
(89-80),
and team
#8 seed
Stateaa third
Normal
(131-74). title.
It
wasn't
the
through
the
tournament
beating
unseeded
Nebraska
Wesleyan
(75-57),
#9
seed
through
theround
tournament
unseeded
Nebraska
Wesleyan
(75-57),
#9 Southwest
seed
semifinal
that thebeating
team was
challenged
and edged
out the
#5 seed
Youngstown
(89-80),
Illinois
State Normal
(131-74). ItIt wasn’t
until
the
Youngstown
(89-80),and
and#8
#8seed
seed
Illinois
wasn't
untilfor
the
Texas State (64-62).
The
finals
pitted
the State
TigersNormal
against (131-74).
a familiar foe
looking
semi-final
round
that
the
team
was
challenged
and
edged
out
the
#5
seed
Southwest
semifinal
thatPacific
the team
was challenged
edged
the #5off
seed
payback,round
#3 seed
Lutheran
University.andTSU
hadout
knocked
theSouthwest
former #1
Texas State (64-62). The finals pitted the Tigers against a familiar foe looking for
Texas
State
(64-62).
The finals
pitted
the on
Tigers
against
a familiaritsfoe
looking for
seed in
the
57' semifinals
round
(71-70)
the
wayhad
to knocked
winning
payback,
#3 seed
Pacific Lutheran
University.
TSU
offfirst
the NAIA
former
payback,
#3 seed Again,
Pacific Tennessee
Lutheran University.
TSUbeating
had knocked
off
the former
#1to
Championship.
State
prevailed
Pacific
Lutheran
(97-87)
#1 seed in the ‘57 semifinals round (71-70) on the way to winning its first NAIA
seed
in the
semifinals
round
onschool
the way
towon
winning
first NAIA
capture
the57'
title.
It was
the
first(71-70)
time
had
threeits
tournaments
in ato
row.
Championship.
Again,
Tennessee
Stateany
prevailed
beating
Pacific
Lutheran
(97-87)
Championship.
Again,
Tennessee
beating
Pacific
Lutheran (97-87)
to
Barnettthe
received
his
MVP
Award.
capture
title. It
wassecond
the
first
timeState
any prevailed
school had
won three
tournaments
in a row.
capture received
the title. his
It was
the first
time
any school had won three tournaments in a row.
Barnett
second
“MVP
Award.”
Barnett received his second MVP Award.
5
5
The McLendon "Championship" Miles
Tennessee State was known for its relentless all-court pressure and fast-break tactics
The
McLendon
“Championship”
Miles
during
the
1957-1959 championship
run. Coach McLendon
put players through
The
McLendon
"Championship"
Miles
intense
conditioning
program,
which
included
having
the
athletesand
runfast-break
three miles
Tennessee
State
known
pressure
tactics
Tennessee
Statewas
was
knownfor
foritsitsrelentless
relentlessall-court
all-court
pressure
and
fast-break
tactics
every
day
before
the
season
and
three
miles
every
day
before
the
tournament.
They
during
thethe1957-1959
during
1957-1959championship
championshiprun.
run.Coach
CoachMcLendon
McLendonput
putplayers
playersthrough
throughan
were
affectionately
named
the "Championship
Miles"
intense
conditioning
program,
which
having
intense
conditioning
program,
whichincluded
included
havingthe
theathletes
athletesrun
run three
three miles
miles
every
day
before
the
season
and
three
miles
every
day
before
the
tournament.
every day before the season and three miles every day before the tournament. They
They
affectionately
named
the “Championship
Miles.”
werewere
affectionately
named
the "Championship
Miles"
6
6
Tigers in Action
Tigers in Action
7
7
8
8
Members of the Tennessee State University
1957 1958 1959
NAIA Men’s Championship Teams
President
Dr. Walter S. Davis
Athletic Director
Raymond H. Kemp
Head Coach
John McLendon
Assistant Coaches
Harold Hunter Richard Mack
Players
Richard “Dick” Barnett
John Barnhill
Sam Bowens
Joe Buckhalter
Henry Carlton
Bobby Clark
Albert Cook
Mel Davis
George Finley
Ronald Hamilton
Rossie Johnson
Porter Merriwether
Remus Nesbitt
Rubin Perry
James “Jim” Sattlewhite
Nurlin Tarrant
Ben Warley
Eugene Wertz