Interview with Neville Shedd, February 5, 2016

Partial Transcript: My name is Gerald Smith, and, uh, this is, uh, February 5, 2016. I'm in El Paso, Texas and I'm here for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the University of Kentucky, Texas Western National Championship basketball game.

Segment Synopsis: Shedd explains that he first arrived in El Paso around 1963 and redshirted his freshman year. He shares that he first attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Coming from New York City to the south, he experienced quite a culture shock. He was introduced to segregated water fountains, bathrooms, and other racial discrimination in the area. After experiencing that level of racism, Shedd returned to New York City. He was recruited to play for the University of Texas Western Miners and was offered a full scholarship.

Keywords: College degrees; Commemorations; Don Haskins; National Championships; New York City; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Parents; Recruiting; Redshirts; Texas Western College; Texas Western Miners men's basketball team; Transitions; University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Subjects: African American athletes; African American college students--Social conditions; African Americans--Segregation; Culture shock; Education; El Paso (Tex.); Families; Race relations; Racism; Texas Western Miners (Basketball Team); University of Kentucky; University of Texas at El Paso

Partial Transcript: What was like it for you living in El Paso during those years?

Segment Synopsis: Shedd shares that while he was in El Paso, he remembered his mother's advice for him to pursue his dreams. He was taught that without a dream or a passion, one wouldn't receive the provisions to make it possible. He always knew that he wanted to earn a college degree and he credited eventually playing in the professional basketball league to God's plan for him. Shedd described his journey as one full of trials, and ups and downs, but he knew that he was where he needed to be. He described El Paso as a friendly place that was full of color. He was wary of traveling to El Paso, as he had heard stories of racism in the south, but did not lose sight of his purpose there.

Keywords: Childhood lessons; College degrees; Dreams; Effort; Expectations; Insults; Journeys; Lessons; Military bases; Names; Parents; Passions; Racism in the south; Trials

Subjects: African American college students; Careers; Education; El Paso (Tex.); Families; Living conditions; Race relations; Racism; Segregation

Partial Transcript: So, what do you remember about Coach Don Haskins?

Segment Synopsis: Shedd remembers that he used to hate Coach Don Haskins. He felt like he was Haskins' "whipping dog." Years later, in discussing why Coach Haskins was so tough on Shedd, Haskins shared that he was hard on Shedd because he knew he could get the job done. Shedd regarded this as an honor, and he went on to prove himself. He never felt that Coach Haskins ever killed his spirit. Later in life, Shedd began working for Haskins, and he believed that Haskins had a special place for him in his heart.

Keywords: Basketball; Basketball players; College athletics; College sports; Difficulties; Don Haskins; Goals; Honor; Insults; Motivation; Passions; Professional basketball; Professional sports; Spirit; Strengths; Texas Western College; Texas Western Miners men's basketball team; University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP); Whipping dog

Subjects: African American athletes; African American basketball players; Basketball--Coaching; Careers; Coaches; College athletes; Professional basketball players; Religion; Texas Western Miners (Basketball team); University of Texas at El Paso

Partial Transcript: So let's go back to that, um, '65 - '66 season, did you think you all would have a good team?

Segment Synopsis: Shedd shares that looking back, it was clear to see that the Texas Western Miners had a skilled basketball team in the 1965-1966 season. The players came to El Paso and were pretty good on their own, with a common goal of earning a college degree while continuing to play a game they all loved. Through Coach Haskins, the players were able to combine their individual strengths to form a solid team. The Miners took each game one at a time, playing hard in every game. Shedd describes the team as very cohesive, with twelve individuals coming together to form a strong team. No matter their opponent, the Miners went into games with confidence, staying focused on their goal. Shedd shares that the hardest part of the season was the practices, and the difficulty of their practices transferred well into their games. The players put forth maximum effort to get the job done each day, which led to success.

Keywords: Basketball; Basketball seasons; Cohesiveness; College degrees; Common goals; Conditioning; Confidence; Don Haskins; Effort; Environments; Fans; Individuality; Opponents; Practices; Recruiting; Skills; Success; Texas Western College; Texas Western Miners men's basketball team; University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Subjects: African American basketball players; Basketball teams; Basketball--Coaching; Basketball--History; College athletes; Education; El Paso (Tex.); Texas Western Miners (Basketball team); University of Texas at El Paso

Partial Transcript: So, to, to think about the, the championship game, um, what do you recall, you know, once you all had, um, you know, won the semifinal game, now you're going to the championship, what about the preparation for that, that championship game against Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Shedd explains that once they got to the National Championship, there was no time to change their style of play. The Miners were confident in their skills and ability. They had little knowledge of the Kentucky Wildcats' team, and instead of changing their play to match their opponent, they focused on their own play. Shedd knew that the crowd would not be supportive of the Miners, and he describes feeling the tension in the arena during the championship game. He remembers hearing rumors that they could not play under pressure and against a highly skilled team. He believes society and the media made the game more about race rather than the skill of the players. Both Coach Haskins and Coach Rupp demanded exceptional character from each of their players, and Shedd does not recall any racial tension on the court that day.

Keywords: Basketball records; Basketball seasons; Character; Coach Haskins; Crowds; Don Haskins; Kentucky Wildcats; Kentucky basketball; National Championship winners; National Championships; Opponents; Preparations; Race; Skills; Strategies; Strengths; Style of play; Technology; Texas Western College; Texas Western Miners men's basketball team; University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Subjects: African American basketball players; Basketball fans; Basketball teams; Basketball--History; Basketball--Tournaments; College athletes; Race relations; Racial tension; Racism; Rupp, Adolph, 1901-1977; Sportsmanship; Texas Western Miners (Basketball team); University of Kentucky; University of Texas at El Paso

Partial Transcript: Do you recall, um, Coach Haskins, saying anything about Adolph Rupp and his racial comments about African American players?

Segment Synopsis: Shedd shares that in one pregame meeting, Coach Rupp allegedly said that five African American players could not beat his five white players. He could not remember if that was actually said or not, but he views it as a sportsmanship-like challenge. Once the teams hit the floor, the Miners played their game with success. As a young player, Shedd knew nothing about Adolph Rupp, other than that he was the coach for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. As he grew older, Shedd believed that Coach Rupp could have done more for the advancement of African Americans in basketball.

Keywords: Adolph Rupp; Challenges; Coach Haskins; Coach Rupp; Competition; Don Haskins; Kentucky Wildcats; Meetings; NCAA Championships; Prejudice; Racial comments; Racist; Rumors; Style of play; Texas Western College; Texas Western Miners men's basketball team; University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Subjects: African American basketball players; Basketball coaches--Kentucky; Basketball teams; Basketball--History; Basketball--Tournaments; Coaches (Athletics); College athletes; Race relations; Racial tension; Racism; Rupp, Adolph, 1901-1977; Sportsmanship; Texas Western Miners (Basketball team); University of Kentucky; University of Texas at El Paso

Partial Transcript: What would you tell young men and young women today playing basketball?

Segment Synopsis: Shedd regards playing the sport that you love as a blessing. He encourages young men and women in sports to remember that there is a life after athletics. Shedd reminds them that the educational aspect of their life continues after their sports career ends and will be the total success of their lives. Though his dream was to become a professional basketball player, Shedd made sure to earn his degree first in case he got injured. When he got injured and was unable to continue playing basketball, he still had his college degree. He looks at his injury as another obstacle set forth in God's plan for him. He explains that while many in his generation faced negative energy, they persevered through strength and were able to turn that energy into positive action. Shedd concludes the interview by encouraging young players to follow their dream and to trust in God.

Keywords: Blessings; College degrees; College education; Contests; Desire; Dreams; Faith; God; Injuries; Journeys; Messages; NCAA Championships; Passions; Preparations; Professional basketball players; Road to glory; Sports; Strength; Suffering; Technology; Young men; Young women; Youth basketball; Youth sports

Subjects: Athletics; Basketball players; Career; Education; Education, Higher; Environment; Parents; Religion