The man who initiated a change in not only a state but also a country was Don Lee Haskins. He forever changed the game of basketball through his decision to start his five best players who were coincidentally five Black men. Don Haskins was the basketball coach of the male team at Texas Western College from 1961 to 1999.  It was in his 1965-1966 season where he and his team left a lasting legacy.  The Miners were the underdog team in the NCAA championship game of 1966. Haskins chose his five best players to start against the Kentucky Wildcats who were the team favoured to win (1). 

     In choosing his five best players, Haskins did something no coach or team had ever done before in the history of the NCAA championships,  he set a starting line-up of all Black men (2).  This decision paid off, his team beat the all white Kentucky Wildcats, and thus marked a first in history (2).  Though the coach was scrutinized and received countless death threats for his decision, which he thought he sometimes regretted, he would eventually tell his story through his own book, Glory Road (1).  His story also inspired Disney to recreate the event in a movie, rightfully titled "Glory Road".  In 1997 Don Haskins was truly recognized and was enrolled honorably as a coach in the Basketball hall of fame as seen in New York Times Article, Honor for Haskins (4).

Figure 4