From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Kentucky State University Homecoming, 1952

The November 1, 1952 homecoming game at Kentucky State University (K-State) in Frankfort is considered the first interracial college football game in the state. K-State's football team, coached by George "Big Bertha" Edwards, had all black members, while its opponent, the Taylor University football team from Upland, IN, had all white members. The K-State co-captains were Lorenzo Croft and Grant Dungee.

In the second quarter, K-State's James "Juicy" Glover scored the first touchdown, Dungee the second. During the second half, Jimmy Taylor scored on an 82-yard run, followed by consecutive touchdowns by Ted Wilson and quarterback Royal Starks. Kickers Gerald Hall and Jodie Concentine added the final points to make the score K-State 39, Taylor University 0.

Years later, co-captain Lorenzo Croft donated his football sweater to The Center of Excellence for the Study of Kentucky African Americans (CESKAA). The game was covered in the Louisville Defender newspaper; a copy of the article is available in the K-State Archives clipping series of President R. B. Atwood Papers, Box 36, Folder 2. There was also a brief article in Jet, 11/06/1952, vol. III, issue 2, p. 31.

Subject

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Franklin County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Frankfort, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Outside Kentucky Place Name

References

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Entry: Glover, James M. "Juicy"
NKAA Entry: Atwood, Rufus Ballard
NKAA Source: The Louisville defender (newspaper)
NKAA Source: Jet (periodical)

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Kentucky State University Homecoming, 1952,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed April 1, 2023, https://ukscrc001.net/nkaa/items/show/1387.

Last modified: 2021-07-30 15:38:06