Coincidence or Calculated Decision?

I realize the excitement and interest is on the basketball court, however I cannot help but ponder how (and if) Leonard Hamilton's history of breaking racial barriers were conscience decisions or just a byproduct of the opportunities. He may not even have that answer. Frankly, we should not ask why he does it. We should simply be in awe of his impact on college athletics.

Hamilton's own words, " I never allowed race to be a factor. My father never told me not to do certain things because I was black. He told me I could do anything I wanted just as long as I am qualified."

Breaking the racial barrier seemed to be a pattern for Coach Hamilton.

When Hamilton joined University of Tennessee-Martin's college team for the last two years of his collegiate career, he became the first African American player in history for the Skyhawks.

In 1974 Hamilton became the first African American Assistant Coach for the University of Kentucky.

Craving a head coaching position, Hamilton became the Head Coach at Oklahoma State.in 1986. With this title, he became the first African American Head Coach in the history of the Big Eight Conference.

Coincidence or calculated move by Coach Hamilton? Confidence and strength allowed him to plow through the racial barriers.

Coach Hamilton is now in his 19th season at Florida State University. He started his career at Florida State in 2002. The most successful coach in Florida State history, Leonard Hamilton is the Seminoles’ all-time winningest coach and is the fifth all-time winningest coach in ACC history. He has an astonishingly number of wins at 378 and counting.

He has 14 NBA Draft selections under his belt. Florida State has had at least one player selected in the NBA Draft in 11 of the last 15 seasons. Hamilton continues to stock the Seminoles’ program with the nation’s top talent, with the Seminoles ‘recruiting class ranked number 3 and number 8.

More important in Hamilton’s eyes than the championships, the NCAA Tournament appearances, and the wins, is the overwhelming success that his players have achieved in the classroom. The Seminoles earned a team grade point average of 3.034—The highest of any coach. Hamilton’s players have a long-standing tradition of classroom success. During his tenure as a head coach, more than 94 percent of his players have earned their degrees.

Perhaps overlooked by some, Coach Hamilton annually attracts the nation’s top talent and helps those players reach their goals of not only playing at the next level, but also excelling academically and earning their degrees.

Another distinction for Hamilton is his charitable work off the court. He was one of three honorees celebrated at the 13th Annual Dick Vitale Gala for Cancer Research. With Hamilton as a headliner, a record-breaking 3.7 million was raised for pediatric cancer research.

Hamilton was honored as one of four finalists for the 2000 Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award. The award is given annually to a coach who best exemplifies Coach John Wooden’s philosophy of emphasizing that impacting the life of a student is more significant than any winning percentage.

Leonard Hamilton is special. His impact on athletics and the racial barriers that exist have been life changing for athletes and fans.

You tell me. Has Coach Hamilton consciously joined each of these universities with the intent to make waves and tackle social justice? Frankly, he may not even know that answer.

Perhaps his past and current players, and anyone associated with college athletics, owe him a debt of gratitude for minimizing racism in college athletics and allowing these players to play the game! At the end of the day, it is clear he is making men out of boys.