History of African American Athletes at Trinity
The influence that black athletes had on Trinity was almost immediate. In an interview with retired Religian professor, Dr. Douglas Brackenridge, he made clear Trinity was one of the first institutions to integrate even before the government made it mandatory. Trinity began integrating in the “early 1950s, then there was an evening school, graduate students first. In fact, black athletes were the first to live in the residences”(Brackenridge, 2017). This did not come without it's push backs becasue “Parents would pull their students if they found out they would have a black roommate” (Brackenridge, 2017).
Athletes like Clyde Glosson made names for themselves. A two time Division II NCAA track champion, Glosson won the 100 yard dash, putting this small liberal arts school on the map for track. But Glosson was not the first black athlete at Trinity, many more paved the way so he could attend the university but none were as notable in the Civil Rights Era.