Timeline
- 1961
- John McLendon coaches a predominantly white professional team
John "Coach Mac" McLendon was the first black coach of a predominantly white professional team in the modern era. In the 1961-62 season he coached the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League.
- Gene Baker becomes first black to manage a club
June 20, 1961 - Gene Baker becomes the first black to manage a club at any level in professional baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates gave him the position at their Batavia, NY, Class D franchise. In 1953 he had been the first black on the Chicago Cubs.
- Ernie Davis becomes the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy
December 6, 1961 - Ernie Davis, a two-time All-American halfback from Syracuse became the first African American to win college football's Heisman Trophy.
Davis rushed for 823 yards on 150 carries for a average of 5.5. He scored 15 total touchdowns while also leading the team in receptions with 16 and 157 receiving yards. This helped to lead Syracuse to a Liberty Bowl victory against Miami (Fla.).
- 1962
- Wilt Chamberlain became first player to score over 3,000 points in one season
Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers was the first professional player to score more than 3,000 points in one season. In 1961-62 he scored 4,029 points and became the first player to score more than 4,000 points in a single season.
- Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points
March 2, 1962 - Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by tallying 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169-147 victory over the New York Knicks.
- Buck O'Neil becomes the first black coach in the major leagues
May 29, 1962 - John "Buck" O'Neil was named the first black coach in the major leagues by the Cubs and is credited for signing Hall of Fame player Lou Brock to his first contract.
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- 1963
- Bob Hayes shatters 100-yard dash record
June 21, 1963 - Bob Hayes, a 20-year-old freshman from Florida A&M University with a distinctive running style-elbows out, knees high-earned the title "world's fastest human" by shattering the 100-yard-dash record in 9.10 seconds at the Amateur Athletic Union championships in St. Louis.
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- Wendell Scott becomes the first black driver to win a NASCAR race
December 1, 1963 -Wendell Scott becomes the first and only black driver to win a NASCAR (then Grand National) race. During the third race of the 1963-64 season at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, a one-mile dirt track, Scott beat Buck Baker to earn the win and a $1000 paycheck.
- 1965
- Emlen Tunnel becomes the first black coach in the NFL
May 1, 1965 - Emlen Tunnel was signed as assistant defensive coach by the New York Giants.
- Lew Alcindor announces his intention to attend UCLA
May 4, 1965 - Lew Alcindor, the nation's most sought-after high school basketball player, announced today his intention to attend the University of California, Los Angeles next fall. Poised and articulate during his first news conference, the 7-foot-3/4-inch, 18- year-old Power Memorial High senior said he chose the West Coast school "because it has the atmosphere I wanted and because the people out there were very nice to me."
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- Ralph Boston sets a new long jump record
May 29, 1965 - Ralph Boston set a world record in the broad jump at 27-feet, 4-3/4 inches, at a meet held in Modesto, CA.
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- Gale Sayers scores six touchdowns in one game
Sayers, a rookie halfback for the Bears, tied the NFL mark for most touchdowns in a game by scoring six against the San Francisco 49ers.
- 1966
- Frank Robinson becomes first black player to win MVP in both AL and NL
Frank Robinson, playing for the National League Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and for the American League Baltimore Orioles in 1966, was the first black named the Most Valuable Player in both leagues. In 1966, he was the first black to win the triple crown -- the most home runs, most runs batted in, and the highest batting average.
- Emmett Ashford becomes first black major league umpire
April 1, 1966 - Emmett Ashford became the first black major league umpire, working in the American League. He had been the first black professional umpire in the minor leagues in 1951.
- Bill Russell is the first black coach in the NBA
April 18, 1966 - Bill Russell, while still a member of the Boston Celtics basketball team, was signed by the Celtics as their head coach. This gave Russell the distinction of becoming the first black coach in the National Basketball Association. He immediately produced a world championship team.
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