Texas Western Miners
Under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins, the Texas Western Miners achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the national championship in 1966, marking the first time an all-black starting lineup accomplished this milestone. During the season, they experienced just one defeat, a narrow road loss to Seattle. Their victories showcased their dominance, with an average winning margin of 15.2 points.
In a historic championship game, the Miners faced Kentucky, a team that had an all-white roster until 1969. The Miners emerged victorious with a score of 72–65. This memorable showdown occurred on Saturday, March 19, at Cole Field House on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
In recognition of their outstanding achievement and cultural significance, the team earned induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Their remarkable journey and triumph also served as the inspiration for the book and film adaptation, “Glory Road.”