Texas Western's 1966 NCAA Championship Triumph Echoes 60 Years Later

The historic victory of the first all-Black starting lineup in an NCAA title game is still celebrated today.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:44pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sixty years after the Texas Western Miners made history by becoming the first team with an all-Black starting lineup to win the NCAA men's basketball championship, the legacy of that momentous 1966 victory continues to resonate. Schin Kerr, who portrayed player David Lattin in the 2006 film 'Glory Road,' recalled filming scenes for the movie inside the Memorial Gym at the University of Texas at El Paso, where the historic game was played.

Why it matters

The 1966 Texas Western team's triumph over the all-White University of Kentucky squad was a watershed moment that challenged racial barriers in college sports and helped accelerate the integration of basketball programs across the country. Their victory is still celebrated as a symbol of progress and a testament to the power of determination and talent to overcome prejudice.

The details

In the 1966 NCAA championship game, the Texas Western Miners, led by coach Don Haskins, started five Black players against an all-White University of Kentucky team. Texas Western's 72-65 victory over the heavily favored Wildcats is considered one of the most significant moments in the history of college basketball and the civil rights movement.

  • The 1966 NCAA championship game was played on March 19, 1966.
  • The 20th anniversary of the release of the film 'Glory Road,' which dramatized the Texas Western story, was celebrated in 2026.

The players

Schin Kerr

An actor who portrayed Texas Western player David Lattin in the 2006 film 'Glory Road'.

David Lattin

A member of the 1966 Texas Western championship team, whose story was depicted in the film 'Glory Road'.

Don Haskins

The head coach of the 1966 Texas Western Miners team that won the NCAA championship with an all-Black starting lineup.

University of Kentucky

The opponent of Texas Western in the 1966 NCAA championship game, which featured an all-White starting lineup.

Texas Western Miners

The college basketball team that made history in 1966 by becoming the first to win the NCAA championship with an all-Black starting lineup.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What still strikes everyone who remembers that game is how it changed the landscape of college basketball and the civil rights movement.”

— Schin Kerr, Actor who portrayed David Lattin

The takeaway

The 1966 Texas Western championship team's victory over the University of Kentucky remains a powerful symbol of progress and a testament to the transformative power of determination, talent, and the willingness to challenge the status quo. Their historic achievement continues to inspire and resonate with basketball fans and civil rights advocates alike.