Did you know that a new rap video, based on the book,” The Baron and the Bear,” is now out and celebrates Texas Western College’s 1966 victory over the University of Kentucky?
The game is historic because it changed the game forever in the South and teams from there started recruiting African-American players.
The rap is now on Youtube and thanks to fan David Snell, who sent me the words in the rap, I have them in my possession. They’re so clever, I thought you might enjoy them.
THE WORDS:
Let me tell you the story of a team of glory
And the history they made one day
When tiny Texas Western played mighty Kentucky
To be champions of the NC-Double-A
(Refrain)
The crowd gave a shout when Rupp’s Runts came out
Big Blue would be champions once more
Against all-white Kentucky five blacks would be lucky
Not to be run off the floor
(Refrain)
Two steals in a row by our man Bobby Joe
And a romp had turned into a game
And when it was done the black team had won
And round-ball was never the same
(Refrain)
Now you’ve heard the story of a team of glory
Of a David and Goliath bout
Of a team to remember when we celebrate our history
Of that there can be no doubt.
(Refrain)
They were something to see with Big Daddy D
With Harry, the Willies and “O.”
There was young Nevil Shed on a team that was led
By a point-guard they called Bobby Joe.
OF COURSE, Big Daddy D was David Lattin, the center on the team. Harry is Harry Flournoy, starting forward in the championship game. The Willies are Willie Cager (forward) and Willie Worsley, guard who played many minutes.
Nevil Shed, was the forward and Bobby Joe Hill, the team-leader and point guard.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Which 1966 team had a better graduation rate, Texas Western College or Kentucky? Answer at end of column.
LATEST NOMINATIONS for induction into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame held Feb 11:
Franklin High School football coach Tony Grijalva,, bowling coach/administrator Karl Kielich and Irvin and Parkland High School football coach Erwin Bloxdorf.
Other nominations will be accepted on Feb. 25 and March 11 at El Paso Community College at 5:30 p.m.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Texas Western, .750 to .712. Dr. Mimi Gladstein of the Texas Western College English Department at the time reported that nine of the 12 Miners graduated to only 10 of the 14 Kentucky players.