After more than 60 years, the Tennessee A&I Tigers men’s basketball team, the first HBCU team to win a national championship in 1957, finally had their moment at the White House. Six members of the team, now in their 80s, met with Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday to celebrate their historic achievement. Despite facing segregation and discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement, the Tennessee A&I Tigers made history by winning three back-to-back national titles from 1957 to 1959.
The road to the White House visit was not easy for the Tennessee A&I Tigers. The team faced challenges both on and off the court, including a bomb threat on their return trip home and participating in a sit-in to protest segregation policies. Decades later, the team was recognized for their historic wins and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Former Tiger and NBA star Dick Barnett played a crucial role in raising public awareness about the team’s achievements.
The White House visit was a momentous occasion for the former Tennessee A&I Tigers players. Vice President Harris praised the team’s willingness to share their story and highlighted the importance of remembering and honoring their history. Harris, an HBCU graduate herself, was presented with a personalized jersey by the players in attendance. The visit was a culmination of years of effort and dedication to ensure that the Tennessee A&I Tigers were recognized for their significant contributions to the sport.
The team’s journey to the White House was commemorated in a documentary titled “The Dream Whisperer,” which aired on PBS and featured interviews with former players and those closely connected to the team. The documentary highlighted the perseverance and determination of the Tennessee A&I Tigers in the face of adversity. Former player George Finley described the visit as the greatest day of his life, surpassing even their championship wins.
The Tennessee A&I Tigers’ triumph at the White House serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of Black college athletes during a time of segregation and inequality. Despite the challenges they faced, the team’s achievements continue to inspire future generations of athletes. The visit symbolizes a long-overdue recognition of the Tennessee A&I Tigers’ historic accomplishments and contributions to the sport of basketball.
