85R7159 JCD-D

By: Pickett H.R. No. 172

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso men's basketball team celebrated the 50th anniversary of its landmark national championship win with a game against Western Kentucky University on February 6, 2016; and

WHEREAS, On March 19, 1966, The University of Texas at El Paso, then known as Texas Western College, defeated the University of Kentucky 72-65 in the finale of the NCAA tournament; at a time when black athletes were woefully underrepresented in college sports, Miners head coach Don Haskins started five African Americans, something that had never been done in an NCAA championship game; that historic contest, against an all-white team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation, came at the height of the civil rights era and called attention to the issue of segregation in college basketball; the game also marks the only national championship title ever won by a Division 1 men's college basketball team in Texas; and

WHEREAS, In the anniversary matchup, UTEP beat Western Kentucky 93-89 in overtime; significantly, the Hilltoppers had also competed in the 1966 NCAA tournament, starting two African American players; and

WHEREAS, The achievements realized by Coach Haskins and the 1966 Miners team helped expand opportunities for players of every race to excel based on their hard work, skill, and talent, and it is indeed fitting that they be honored for their contributions to the sport; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1966 NCAA national championship victory by The University of Texas at El Paso men's basketball team and congratulate the 2016 team on its win in the anniversary game; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for The University of Texas at El Paso men's basketball team as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.