L. C. Gordon

Lavalius Cyrone Gordon (born 1937) is an American former basketball player and coach.[1] He played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1958 to 1961, where he was the first African-American to play for the team.[2] Gordon served as the head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers from 1969 to 1973.

L. C. Gordon
Biographical details
Born1937 (age 85–86)
Abbeville, Mississippi, U.S.
Playing career
1958–1961Oklahoma State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1966–1969Carver HS
1969–1973Texas Southern
Head coaching record
Overall63–43 (.594)

Gordon was born in Abbeville, Mississippi, and was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where he played basketball at Booker T. Washington High School.[1] The head coach of the Memphis Tigers, Bob Vanatta, told Gordon that Cowboys head coach Henry Iba was prepared to integrate his team and recruited Gordon on behalf of Iba;[3][4] Gordon committed to play for the Cowboys without visiting the university's campus.[4] As a guard, Gordon had considered himself as an offensive player but was converted to become the team's defensive specialist by Iba and assigned to guard the opponents' best scorers.[3] He suffered from the effects of racism and segregation as the only black player on the Cowboys but credited his teammates with helping to embrace him.[1][2][4]

Gordon graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education.[5] He earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from the University of Memphis and a master's degree in physical education from Texas Southern University.[5]

Gordon was named head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers in 1969 after serving as the basketball coach at Carver High School the three previous years.[6] He amassed a 63–43 record over four seasons.[7] Gordon resigned as head coach of the Tigers on September 5, 1973.[8]

Gordon was honored by Oklahoma State University as the grand marshal of homecoming in 2013 and is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.[5] His son, Lavalius Jr., played college football and basketball for the North Texas Mean Green.[9] His grandson, Trent, plays college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.[10]

References
  1. Foster, Earniece H. (July 13, 2018). "Basketball legends L.C. Gordon and Jerry Johnson will be honored Sunday". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. Juliano, Joe (July 16, 2020). "Penn State's Trent Gordon gained awareness of racial struggles through groundbreaking grandfather". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  3. Tramel, Jimmie (October 17, 2013). "L.C. Gordon proud to be an OSU trailblazer". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  4. Carlson, Jenni (October 17, 2013). "L.C. Gordon thankful to be a trailblazer at Oklahoma State". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  5. "L.C. Gordon Named Homecoming 2013 Grand Marshal". Oklahoma State University Alumni Association. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  6. "Former OSU Star Named TSU Coach". The Waxahachie Daily Light. October 15, 1969. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  7. "Texas Southern". College Hoopedia. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  8. "Basketball". Centralia Evening Sentinel. September 5, 1973. p. 10. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  9. Sauber, Jon (July 16, 2020). "Penn State football's Trent Gordon inspired by grandfather in fight for equality". Centre Daily Times. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  10. "NSD 21: Trent Gordon". Arkansas Razorbacks. December 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
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