Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power» A Historical Athletics Exhibit curated by Urla Hill
1956-1960 The Trailblazers
The Trailblazers 1956 – 1960
“Bud wrote a book, but I made that book real. He had written it before I got there, but he needed an athlete to make it real. All Bud’s stuff came about because of me.”
– Ray Norton discussing his impact on Bud Winter’s training techniques
San José State sprinters Ray Norton and Robert Poynter came of [...]
The Good Brothers
The Good Brothers, made up of primarily Black students and Black student athletes, were known for parties in which they often sold black-eyed peas and soda to help pay rent. Athletes include an attorney, a college coach Bob Poynter, a California-state judge, and a retired social worker. Otis Courtney, an architect who had [...]
Olympic Boxing Team 1960
Eddie Crook, team trainer Ben Beck, Cassius Clay, (Dr.) Wilbert McClure, and Coach Menendez in Rome, circa 1960. McClure’s son played soccer for Menendez at San José State during the 1980s.
1960 Olympic Boxing Team
Medalists from the 1960 Olympic squad include Quincy Daniels, SJSC’s Harry Campbell, Sr., and Cassius Clay, better known now as Muhammad Ali, circa 1960.
SJSC and 1960 U.S. Olympic boxing coach, Julius Menendez would snap this shot of members of the 1960 Olympic boxing team before they boarded a ship to Rome.
Julius Menendez and Ray Norton
Julius Menendez and SJS sprinter and Olympian Ray Norton in Rome, circa 1960.
Harry Campbell & Jesse Owens
Julius Menendez also snapped this photo of SJSC and Olympic boxer Campbell, who stands with 1936 Olympian Jesse Owens in Rome, circa 1960.
Mel “The Beast” Powell
Mel Powell, who was known as “The Beast,” celebrates his graduation with family members, circa 1958. Powell was a member of the football team.
Chuck Alexander
Chuck Alexander and members of the Spartan football team prepare to head to Stanford, circa 1956.
Willie Williams
Willie Williams had coached track and field at Arizona State University, and was to head the 1980 Olympic track team before he committed suicide. This photo was taken by football player Chuck Alexander, who amassed hundreds of photos such as these of students at SJSC during the late 1950s. Each picture was taken [...]