70's - African American experience

In 1971, in an interview for The Trinitonian titled “Five Black Trinity Athletes Charge Racism” (Unknown, 1971), Felix Thurston, Elvin Gant, Ralph LeFore, Early Costley, and Howard Walker, all African-American athletes, claimed they had to deal with institutional racism from the athletics administration. They specifically mentioned Warren Woodson, the football head coach, and Gene Offield, the athletic director,  as they would not take care of them, show any regard for their well-being, their future, and would not allow them to express themselves and their culture as they would attempt to shut them down in any way possible. This is significant because it demonstrates their feeling of not being treated as people and instead as less, therefore leading to them being discontent with the administration.

They all had good moments with Trinity athletics. However, Felix Thurston was the most influential out of the group as he was a great player in his time at Trinity, and put the school on the map when he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1971 NBA draft. He is considered influential because many more people became aware of his skills and the school itself once he was a part of the league. They still overcame all the challenges that the administration gave them in different ways and they made a good athletic career at the university.