UL Coach (1957-73) Beryl Shipley

[SlappyCajun]

_ I was also surprised that the theme of the entire book was based mostly on racial predjudice. The Gulf States Conference was desegregated during the early 1970's, and it was not unusual throughout the nation to have mostly white teams. The great #2 Michigan State football team with Bubba Smith from Texas had a majority of its starters as black, and when they played #1 Notre Dame, it had only one black on the entire team.

The downfall of the program was based on NCAA "rules" violations and those usually revolve around lying and cheating - breaking rules - not race. And there was certainly a lot of lying and cheating going on which was initiated by the hero of the book. The people condemned in the book were probably far better than they were portrayed, and the hero was much less. The author chose to build the hero up by making all those around him little, and that should not have been necessary. However, there is no doubt we had good integrated basketball teams which excited the fans and brought some national attention attention to the university, first good, then really bad.

I hope Tom Shipley can get some attention with all his NCAA findings and bring us some results with much more balance and believeability with more focus getting to the truth on the rules violations. _

With all your hands on knowledge of the situation, it seems like you would be the guy to set the record straight. Why don't you write the definitive book. Also, the first set of violations were completely about race relations as they occurred in the sixties.

[Turbine]

_ I was also surprised that the theme of the entire book was based mostly on racial predjudice. The Gulf States Conference was desegregated during the early 1970's, and it was not unusual throughout the nation to have mostly white teams.

Duh, thus the heavy hand felt justified in bringing undue pressure on a Louisiana program/coach who dared break the barrier.

[USL1970]

_ Duh, thus the heavy hand felt justified in bringing undue pressure on a Louisiana program/coach who dared break the barrier. _

I didn't see any race violations in the NCAA "rules" - just lying and cheating. Good leaders should be able function well while under "undue pressure" by not being manipulated by those that may lie or cheat. Using the "race card" is an excuse, not a defense for the infractions. (Re-read the article at the beginning of this tread.)

[LsuULfan]

_ I didn't see any race violations in the NCAA "rules" - just lying and cheating. Good leaders should be able function well while under "undue pressure" by not being manipulated by those that may lie or cheat. Using the "race card" is an excuse, not a defense for the infractions. (Re-read the article at the beginning of this tread.) _

How does a good leader get around the refusal to be able to give his players scholarships?

[Cajunsmike]

_ I didn't see any race violations in the NCAA "rules" - just lying and cheating. Good leaders should be able function well while under "undue pressure" by not being manipulated by those that may lie or cheat. Using the "race card" is an excuse, not a defense for the infractions. (Re-read the article at the beginning of this tread.) _

The order to hold a tryout practice for black players prior to the date practice was allowed to begin is definitely a race issue. It came from Stanley Galloway who then turned the program it for violating that rule. If you respond, please address this particular circumstance.

[CajunRed]

I suggest you go back and read again.

I didn't see any race violations in the NCAA "rules" - just lying and cheating. Good leaders should be able function well while under "undue pressure" by not being manipulated by those that may lie or cheat. Using the "race card" is an excuse, not a defense for the infractions. (Re-read the article at the beginning of this tread.)

igeaux.mobi

[USL1970]

_ The order to hold a tryout practice for black players prior to the date practice was allowed to begin is definitely a race issue. It came from Stanley Galloway who then turned the program it for violating that rule. If you respond, please address this particular circumstance. _

If someone told you to violate a rule that you knew was wrong, would you?

If you witnessed someone lying or violating a rule, and did nothing about it, that is complicity or being an accomplice.

Character often determines the answer to those two questions. In athletics, golfers are often good examples of good character when they call penalties on themselves. Playing partners call penalties on others to protect the entire field. They would rather not win if they have to lie or cheat.

That is what happened in the meeting described in the book that you are referencing. White lies, black lies, gray lies, they are all lies, regardless of how you shade them, and they perpetuate.

Galloway was certainly part of the problem, but no one man should be able to bring down an entire program, as well as, be the procuring cause of all of the alleged violations or infractions.

This episode was like an "athletics watergate."

[Turbine]

In this day and age I am shocked that you still think breaking the "no athletic scholarships for Blacks" RULE, was wrong.
igeaux.mobi

[SlappyCajun]

_ If someone told you to violate a rule that you knew was wrong, would you?

You have six posts all on this thread. You are pimping your agenda which is fine. But now I don't have to waste time giving credence to your cries for objectivity when you are as subjective as they come.

Were NCAA rules violated, they were. Do I think Coach Shipley was to blame for some of the violations. I believe so.

However, the hammer from the NCAA was originally brought to the program due to other Southern leaders opposed to an integrated team.

Finally, at the end of the day, Coach Shipley's contributions to helping to integrate athletics in the Deep South was far far far more important than the reputation he has been saddled with for all these years. Put his name on the court and honor his legacy. He is another example of this University being ridiculously in front of the curve from a race relations standpoint in the South.

[USL1970]

_ In this day and age I am shocked that you still think breaking the "no athletic scholarships for Blacks" RULE, was wrong.
igeaux.mobi _

I am not sure how you can be shocked when I have not commented on the scholarship issue, only on the ordering of the illegal practice. I believe that it was terrible that the scholarships were not available for them when they came to the university.

[USL1970]

_ You have six posts all on this thread. You are pimping your agenda which is fine. But now I don't have to waste time giving credence to your cries for objectivity when you are as subjective as they come. _

And I am not going to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed participant!

Ragin pagin is about a wide variety of ideas and opinions.

[SlappyCajun]

Exactly, just b/c a wide variety of opinions are allowed, Doesn't validate yours. I for one think that there was rule-breaking going on by the Cajuns, but don't divorce the historical time period from it.

And I am not going to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed participant!

Ragin pagin is about a wide variety of ideas and opinions.

igeaux.mobi