Requiem for a Classic Second Edition: Thanksgiving Turkey Day Classic
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Requiem for a Classic Second Edition: Thanksgiving Turkey Day Classic
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781504965323 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 12/11/2015 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 208 |
| File size: | 10 MB |
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Requiem for a Classic
Thanksgiving Turkey Day Classic
By Thurman W. Robins
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2015 Thurman W. Robins, Ed.D.All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5049-6533-0
CHAPTER 1
Booker T. Washington, Jack Yates And Phillis Wheatley High Schools: The Beginning
Appreciate every moment of every day because in retrospect they will all have gone by too fast. — M. Buchwald —
Booker T. Washington High School, formerly known as Colored High School, was established in 1893 in the Fourth Ward community. The first high school for Blacks in the city, it was renamed in 1928. The school was relocated from Fourth Ward to its present location in Independence Heights in 1959. Charles Atherton served as its first principal from 1893 until 1912. James D. Ryan served as the second principal from 1912 until 1926, when he was named the first principal of Jack Yates High School. Others who served as principal included William E. Miller, 1926 to 1938; Dr. Ira B. Bryant, 1938 to 1957; Arthur L. Huckaby, 1957 to 1965, and Franklyn D. Wesley, 1965 to 2007.
During the early years after 1866, most Black citizens settled in Fourth Ward, which is now considered a part of downtown Houston. As the Black population grew, its members began to migrate to the Third and Fifth Wards. Originally sparsely settled by Blacks, large numbers began to settle in Fifth Ward by the mid-1880s. Robb Walsh of The Houston Press described the 1 930s era Fifth Ward as "one of the proudest black neighborhoods" in the United States. The Third Ward area also saw tremendous growth in its number of citizens during this era. As Fourth Ward declined in Black population, the Third and Fifth Wards increased, and many Black-owned businesses sprang up in these neighborhoods.
Jack Yates High School was established in February of 1926, beginning with 17 teachers and 600 students. The school was named after the Reverend John Henry "Jack" Yates, a former slave born in Virginia in 1828. He was prominently involved in the education of Black Houstonians in the late 1 800s, having helped establish the Houston Baptist Academy for Blacks. He was also a member of Antioch Baptist Church, the first Black Baptist Church in Houston, and was selected as its first pastor in 1868. Jack Yates High School first location was 2610 Elgin in the Third Ward community. The second high school for Black children in the city, its first principal was James D. Ryan, who had served as Booker T. Washington High School's second principal prior to his appointment at Yates High School. He served as principal until his death in 1941. William Holland, who was assistant principal-coach, succeeded Ryan as principal.
During the early 1 950s the school became so overcrowded that seventh graders had to attend in two shifts, one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon. In 1956 the overcrowding became so acute that a campus annex located at nearby Allen Elementary school was opened to accommodate the seventh- graders. Yates moved to its present location in the fall of 1958, and Dr. John E. Codwell was transferred from Wheatley High School who served as principal until his retirement in 1964. James Alexander succeeded him as principal, serving from 1964 to 1972. The original Jack Yates campus became Ryan Colored Junior High School in the fall of 1958, now Ryan Middle School.
Phillis Wheatley High School was established in 1927 as the third Black high school in Houston. When established, it was one of the largest Black high schools in the United States with 2,600 students and 60 teachers. The school was named for Phillis Wheatley, a female poet, born 1753 in Senegal. She was made a slave at age seven and was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, Massachusetts, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her to write poetry. Her writings helped create the genre of Black American literature.
During the 1 940s Wheatley's first facility on Lyons Avenue became so overcrowded that students were required to attend in shifts. A new campus was opened in the fall of 1949 on a new 14-acre site at 4900 Market Street. The school was once described as, "the finest Negro high school in the South", with a 1,500 seat auditorium, a gymnasium, an industrial arts facility, and a swimming pool. The former campus became E.O. Smith Junior High School, now E.O. Smith Middle School, named for Wheatley's first principal. Dr. John E. Codwell, who served as head football coach under Ernest O. Smith, succeeded him as the second principal of the school. He remained there until his transfer to Jack Yates high school in 1958. William Moore assistant principal under Codwell succeed him as principal of Wheatley and remained principal until 1971.
The Ties That Bind
Jack Yates, Phillis Wheatley and Booker T. Washington High Schools, popularly known as Yates, Wheatley, and Washington, shared common values and goals. Their relationship to their communities was positive with significant influence on the lives of their constituents. Emerging from these schools have come influential personalities and national celebrities in the visual and performing arts, and civic leaders. Yates produced siblings Debbie, Phylicia, and "Tex" Allen, Jewel Brown jazz singer, pop singer Johnnie Nash, and Conrad Johnson musician. Notable civic leaders include: Andrew L. Jefferson Jr. Texas State Judge, in city government Judson Robinson Jr., and Anthony Hall. Wheatley produced the international renowned flutist Hubert Laws, pop singer Archie Bell, state senator Barbara Jordan, later a Congressional representative together with George "Mickey" Leland. Other notable graduates were: state representatives "Al" Edwards and Harold Dutton, County Commissioner El Franco Lee, City Attorney Otis King, Ruth Simmons president Brown University, and Algenita Scott-Davis president National Bar Association. Booker T. Washington produced a state representative, Senfronia Thompson. However, its most remarkable graduate was perhaps Hattie Mae Whiting White, who, refusing to be intimidated or threatened, became the first Black elected to the Houston Independent School District (HISD) School Board as a trustee. In recognition of her leadership, the current HISD administration building bears her name. The functioning of society and the people therein is greatly impacted by its government, religious, and educational institutions.
When one looks closely at these schools, it is clear that each has enjoyed an effective history of continuity, of capable administrators, and successful leadership which greatly impacted their communities. Similar core values and traditions were shared by these three Black communities. Each community was stable, and family histories were tied to each school as brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers shared the same school experiences.
Washington High School, established in 1893 as Colored High School, was the first black high school in Houston. Located in the Fourth Ward community, it was the chief rival of both Yates and Wheatley. Its students, alumni and friends, although competitors of both Yates and Wheatley, also shared many of the common goals, custom and traditions. The school's administration and leadership was stable and, to some extent, a model for both Yates and Wheatley. From the time of each school's beginning, Washington in 1893, Yates in 1926, and Wheatley in 1927, these traditions, customs and values were passed on to succeeding generations of students.
One such tradition revolved around football. Attorney Jim Nabrit, then the sports editor for The Houston Informer, wrote, "Houston high schools monopolize all holidays in the fall and winter for their inner-city games, and the Yates-Wheatley game on Armistice Day, the Wheatley-Washington game on Thanksgiving Day, and the Yates-Washington game on Christmas Day are annual sporting events attracting huge throngs. Everyone interested in football sets these days apart for those games a year in advance" (December 5, 1931).
The Houston Informer reported an interview with a former principal of Yates, William Holland, concerning what was to be the last scheduled Thanksgiving Day game. Holland said, "The Yates-Booker T. Washington game was played on Christmas Day. The Christmas date with Washington was discontinued with the formation of the Negro Interscholastic League. Wheatley and Washington were playing Thanksgiving Day, but the Yates- Wheatley game was developing into the type of rivalry that could become a real Holiday Classic. So, the Yates-Wheatley game was moved to Thanksgiving Day." Holland went on to say, "The Yates-Wheatley game became a natural because of the intense rivalry between John (Codwell) and myself, We battled on the field, off the field, in the Superintendent's office, in the Athletic Director's office, on the streets, and in the alleys" (November 26, 1966).
Holland's statement that the Christmas Day game between Yates and Washington was discontinued because of the formation of the Negro Interscholastic League was not totally correct. The Texas Interscholastic League for Colored Schools (TILCS) actually began in 1920. The discontinuing of the Yates-Washington game on Christmas was due to the TILCS's efforts to eliminate mythical state championships in football and basketball; therefore, it formed districts, a division which led to a formal playoff system to determine true state championships.
According to Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association records (2005), Andrew "Pat" Patterson, a young coach at Houston's Yates High School was the initiator of the structured organization of the TILCS in 1939. He persuaded Yates High School Principal William Holland to present his organizational plan to Prairie View A&M College Vice-Principal Dr. E. B. Evans. In the spring of 1939, at a regular meeting of the TILCS, at Prairie View College, it was voted to divide the state into districts and have bi-district play-offs, semi-finals and finals to determine a true state championship for the Class AA colored high schools. The restructured plan was inaugurated in the 1940 football season. The formation of the district play eliminated the Yates-Washington Christmas day game.
Moving the Yates-Wheatley game to Thanksgiving Day proved to be an immense success. The Yates vs. Wheatley Thanksgiving Day Classic was viewed with pride and held in high esteem. Moreover, the Black city football championship often rested upon the outcome of the contest. It was a foregone expectation that alumni of the schools in the Houston Black community would be attending the Thanksgiving Day Classic or would know someone attending the Classic, so that most began preparation for such participation months and months in advance. Because of the fact that the Classic had such wide spread community appeal and support, it became one of the most influential social events of the Houston community.
CHAPTER 2The Men Who Led
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and conveniences, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. — Martin Luther King, Jr. —
The principals of the high schools were men who had outstanding leadership ability. They laid the foundation for excellence and led the way, overcoming many obstacles as a result of segregation and Jim Crow laws, always prodding their students to seek excellence. The principals encouraged and motivated teachers and students under their charge. Their responsibilities were great, and often times they had to solve difficult problems which faced the school and their communities. Situations frequently arose which called for the use of diplomacy, intelligence, patience, and integrity, and they knew full well that mistakes could be detrimental to the school and the community. These men were necessarily courageous as well as influential in their decision-making process. They led their schools and helped persuade others in the community to follow their lead as they went about the business of educating an underserved population during difficult times. Their efforts helped mold the lives of young people as well as provide a symbol of unity and educational excellence, which inevitably improved the quality of life in the community.
Principals of Booker T. Washington
Charles H. Atherton 1893-1912
Charles H. Atherton became the first principal of the Houston Colored High School and he remained in that position for twenty years. Thus he became a pioneer educator in Texas. Atherton first arrived in Texas in the 1880s after graduating from Mica College in his native land Jamaica. Atherton was principal of Third Ward Elementary School before coming to Colored High School.
Atherton spearheaded the school's programs for teaching English, Latin, mathematics, science and history on a high school level. His early teaching staff consisted of J.H. Crawford as Assistant Principal and J. D. Ryan who succeeded Atherton as principal and eight other teachers.
Atherton spent his entire life as an educator, including serving as dean and professor at Prairie View A & M University. Even in religion, Atherton was concerned with education. He was very active with the Methodist church and recruited many of his teachers from Wiley College and other Methodist colleges.
Upon his death the Houston Informer noted that, "Professor Atherton never engaged in self-laudation, nor tooted his horn and that death removed from the educational field one of the veterans who helped make possible the high rating of the public schools in Houston."
James D. Ryan 1912-1926
(2nd Principal of B. T. Washington, see bio. of Yates Principals)
William E. Miller 1926-1938
William E. Miller was born in 1871 in Belton and spent his early childhood there. At an early age he loved to read and one of his first jobs as a teenager was reading to his employer photographer.
William earned his first degree from Prairie View State College in 1890. He taught school in 1890 in Belton, Bell County. In 1892 he accepted a teaching position in Houston. He served for two years as a teacher, five years as the principal of the Sixth Ward School, twenty-five years as principal of Gregory Elementary before becoming principal of Colored High School. He remained principal at Colored High School for twelve years.
It was reported that Colored High School's enrollment outgrew the original facilities. Therefore, rehabilitation of the building occurred in 1927 and Mr. William E. Miller was named principal. With the expansion of the new facility came a change in the school's name to Booker T. Washington High School. With a new name, Mr. Miller found a need to develop a new identity through symbols. English teacher, Miss Virginia B. Miller selected "Wisdom" as a part of the school's motto. Mrs. Marjorie Teal, physical education teacher, and Mrs. Freddie Lights Kemp, music teacher, selected the school colors of 'royal blue and gold." Mrs. Mary E. B. Isaacs wrote the school song with music arranged by Mr. J. Will Jones. The mighty Golden Eagle became the school's mascot. Mr. Miller had an outstanding career. As an education leader he served the Fourth Ward community for many years.
Dr. I. B. Bryant 1938-1957
Ira B. Bryant was born in Crockett, Texas in 1904 to Ellen (Starks) and Ira B. Bryant Sr. His family moved to Caldwell in 1905 where Ira Sr. became principal of Caldwell Colored High School and Ellen was one of his teachers. The family moved to Houston in 1920 and Ira Jr. enrolled in Colored High School under Principal James D. Ryan. He completed high school training in 1924. Ira Jr. entered Fisk University and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1928. He then completed the M.A. degree from the University of Kansas and the Ed. D. degree from the University of Southern California in 1948. He attended postdoctoral summer workshops at Harvard, Rutgers, Michigan, Washington and Stanford.
Bryant's introduction to teaching began at Wheatley High School in 1929, where he taught Social Science. He developed a keen interest in preserving the "authentic records" of Black History and published his first book entitled The Development of the Houston Negro Schools in 1935. Other published works included: A Study Guide of Negro History, The Texas Negro Under Six Flags (1936), The Negro Church in Houston, Its Past, Present and Future (1935), and Texas Southern University: Its Antecedents, Political Origins, and Future (1975).
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Table of Contents
Contents
Dedication, vii,Acknowledgements, ix,
Foreword, xi,
Introduction Where Did The Game Go?, xvii,
Chapter 1 Booker T. Washington, Jack Yates And Phillis Wheatley High Schools: The Beginning, 1,
Chapter 2 The Men Who Led, 8,
Chapter 3 Elite Ring Masters: Coaches Supreme, 21,
Chapter 4 Fun And Games, 33,
Chapter 5 Dressed To Kill, 49,
Chapter 6 A Three Ring Circus, 54,
Chapter 7 Events Leading Up To Classic Of 1958, 65,
Chapter 8 From Better To Best, The Classic Becomes A Legend, 72,
Chapter 9 Zebras And Their Stripes: Game Day, 78,
Chapter 10 Let The Games Begin!, 84,
Chapter 11 Epilogue, 135,
Appendix I, 145,
Appendix II, 171,
About the Author, 183,