Dean W. Colvard

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Dean Wallace Colvard (born July 10, 1913) is a former president of the Mississippi State University, notable for his role in a 1963 controversy surrounding the integration of that school's athletic teams.

Born in North Carolina, Calvard received his B.A. Degree from Berea College, and followed that up by getting his M.A. Degree from the University of Missouri. He then went to Purdue University and received his Ph. D. in science and mathematics. Colvard attended college for a total of 19 years, from 1931 until 1950.

Contents

[edit] Segregation controversy

After serving as the Dean of Agriculture at North Carolina State University, Colvard became president of Mississippi State University. He arrived in the mid-1950s, when Mississippi had an "unwritten law" against integrated collegiate athletics. This meant that no team from Mississippi could accept an invitation to play against any team that had African Americans on it.[1] The rule came into effect after 1955, when Jones County Junior College accepted the invitation to the Junior Rose Bowl against a team of mixed race from Compton. Colvard accepted the job of president at MSU the same year that the "unwritten law" came into effect.

During the eight year existence of the "unwritten law", no team confronted it more than the MSU Maroons basketball team. The Maroons won three SEC titles between 1959 and 1962, and by winning the title they were granted an invitation to the integrated NCAA Tournament. MSU turned down each offer because of the "unwritten law", and were not able to participate in postseason play because of this.

Babe McCarthy, the head basketball coach at MSU, expressed frustration at having his team excluded from the postseason tournament each year. Many claimed that the state of Mississippi was acting as a "closed society".[citation needed] McCarthy pleaded on his talk show to have his players allowed to play in postseason play during the 1963 season.

"It makes me sick to the heart to think that these players, who just clinched no worse than a tie for their third straight SEC championship, will have to put away their uniforms and not compete in the NCAA tournament… This is all I can say, but I think everyone knows how I feel," [1] McCarthy said.

After the clinching game on February 25, 1962, many students marched up to the residence of Dean Colvard and staged a sit-in on his front lawn to show their support for the team.[citation needed] Colvard promised to take a look at the situation, but was later quoted as saying he "just was glad to have avoided a confrontation."[1] Students still had no idea where Colvard stood in the issue. Despite the sit-in, the Maroons did not compete in the post season that year. Colvard later claimed that the reason was because "he did not feel well-enough established to make a decision of such sort."[1]

In 1963, alumni and fans combined to show their support for the team in their battle against the "unwritten law". The student newspapers got involved, challenging Colvard’s authority.

"Should a dynamic university be led by a man with the intelligence to make a decision on the merits of the case and the guts to back it up?" the Mississippi State newspaper demanded, "Or, should it be led by a man, who out of fear for his job, would listen to and be persuaded by politicians who are usually trying to create votes?"[1]

An established alumni took a shot at Colvard, saying, "Are you...under so much of a threat of coercion and intimidation by those for powerful demagogues that you have no choice in the matter?"[1]

Bowing to pressure to take a stand, Colvard presented the issue as an administrative affair rather than as an educational matter. He told the chairman of the College Board that he was going to allow the Maroons to play in the NCAA championships.

"It had begun to look as if our first major racial issue might pertain to basketball rather than to admissions. Although I knew opinion would be divided and feelings would be intense because of the unwritten law...I thought I had gained sufficient following that, win or lose, I should take decisive action," Colvard later said.[1]

On March 2, 1963, Colvard announced publicly the acceptance of the invitation to the NCAA tournament. He did this fifteen minutes before the team’s final game of the season, against rival Ole Miss.

Colvard claimed in a statement, "In answer to a manifestation of interest and in light of my best judgment, it is my conclusion that as responsible members of the academic community and of the SEC we have no choice other than to go. Accordingly, as president of MSU I have decided that unless hindered by competent authority I shall send our basketball team to the NCAA competition."[1]

Controversy grew between Colvard and local politicians. Although Governor Ross Barnett never issued a public statement, columnist Charles M. Hills has stated his opinion that Barnett privately "deplored" Colvard’s act. Meanwhile, Senator Billy Mitts accused Colvard of striking a "low blow to the people of Mississippi" and advocated "a substantial decrease in the financial appropriation for every university of this great state that encourages integration."[1]

Although Colvard was considered a hero within the university[citation needed], outside of it, he was harshly criticized. Editors of local papers spoke out about the decision, claiming that the decision should not have been made, for fear of jeopardizing the southern way of life. Perhaps the harshest statement was made by a student of the university, who said, "...Bobby Kennedy may award you a medal of honor for the betrayal of State University and the people of Mississippi."[1]

In their first post-season appearance following Colvard's decision, MSU played against Loyola University Chicago, which had four African American players. They ended up losing 61-51 to the eventual NCAA champions. These events were later chronicled in the DVD One Night in March produced by Starkville, MS-based Broadcast Media Group, Inc.

Despite public criticism, Colvard stood by his decision to allow his team to play in the NCAA tournament. Eventually his decision would prove to be critical in the role of integrated collegiate athletics[citation needed], and the "unwritten law" fell the following year. This marked a new beginning at many southern universities.

[edit] Departure from Mississippi State University

After Colvard’s tenure at MSU, he became the first Chancellor at the newly-minted University of North Carolina at Charlotte in order to move back to his home state. He held that position until his eventual retirement in 1978. Colvard was active in increasing the reputation of the university’s science and mathematics program, where he was also on the board of trustees. Since his retirement, Colvard has written books and also helped in university research.

Though Colvard is no longer active in research, he continues to donate to UNC Charlotte. He also gives money and works with local charities. Colvard and his wife, Martha, still live in North Carolina.

Preceded by
Benjamin F. Hilbun		 President of Mississippi State University
1960–1966		 Succeeded by
William L. Giles

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Russell J. Henderson, "The 1963 Mississippi State University Basketball Controversy and the Repeal of the Unwritten Law: "Something More than the Game will be Lost"," Journal of Southern History 63 (November 1997): 827-854.

[edit] References

[edit] Links

One Night in March

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