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| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1937}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1937|6|11}}
| birth_place = [[Abbeville, Mississippi]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Abbeville, Mississippi]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|11|4|1937|6|11}}
| death_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| player_years1 = 1958–1961
| player_years1 = 1958–1961
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'''Lavalius Cyrone Gordon''' (born 1937) is an American former [[basketball]] player and coach.<ref name=foster>{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Earniece H. |title=Basketball legends L.C. Gordon and Jerry Johnson will be honored Sunday |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/2018/07/13/l-c-gordon-jerry-johnson-living-basketball-legends/780946002/ |website=Commercial Appeal |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=July 13, 2018}}</ref> He played [[college basketball]] for the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball|Oklahoma State Cowboys]] from 1958 to 1961, where he was the first African-American to play for the team.<ref name=juliano>{{cite web |last1=Juliano |first1=Joe |title=Penn State's Trent Gordon gained awareness of racial struggles through groundbreaking grandfather |url=https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/villanova/penn-state-football-trent-gordon-lc-oklahoma-state-color-barrier-basketball-20200716.html |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> Gordon served as the head coach of the [[Texas Southern Tigers basketball|Texas Southern Tigers]] from 1969 to 1973.
'''Lavalius Cyrone Gordon''' (June 11, 1937 – November 4, 2023) was an American [[basketball]] player and coach. He played [[college basketball]] for the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball|Oklahoma State Cowboys]] from 1958 to 1961, where he was the first African-American to play for the team. Gordon served as the head coach of the [[Texas Southern Tigers basketball|Texas Southern Tigers]] from 1969 to 1973.


==Early life==
Gordon was born in [[Abbeville, Mississippi]], and was raised in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], where he played basketball at [[Booker T. Washington High School (Tennessee)|Booker T. Washington High School]].<ref name=foster /> The head coach of the [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis Tigers]], [[Bob Vanatta]], told Gordon that Cowboys head coach [[Henry Iba]] was prepared to integrate his team and recruited Gordon on behalf of Iba;<ref name=tramel>{{cite web |last1=Tramel |first1=Jimmie |title=L.C. Gordon proud to be an OSU trailblazer |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/l-c-gordon-proud-to-be-an-osu-trailblazer/article_e46139b8-37c7-514a-852d-734c7eca1935.html |website=Tulsa World |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=October 17, 2013}}</ref><ref name=carlson>{{cite web |last1=Carlson |first1=Jenni |title=L.C. Gordon thankful to be a trailblazer at Oklahoma State |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3894298/lc-gordon-thankful-to-be-a-trailblazer-at-oklahoma-state |website=The Oklahoman |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> Gordon committed to play for the Cowboys without visiting the university's campus.<ref name=carlson /> As a [[Guard (basketball)|guard]], Gordon had considered himself as an offensive player but was converted to become the team's defensive specialist by Iba and assigned to guard the opponents' best scorers.<ref name=tramel /> He suffered from the effects of racism and segregation as the only black player on the Cowboys but credited his teammates with helping to embrace him.<ref name=foster /><ref name=juliano /><ref name=carlson />
Gordon was born in [[Abbeville, Mississippi]], and was raised in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], where he played basketball at [[Booker T. Washington High School (Tennessee)|Booker T. Washington High School]].<ref name=foster>{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Earniece H. |title=Basketball legends L.C. Gordon and Jerry Johnson will be honored Sunday |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/2018/07/13/l-c-gordon-jerry-johnson-living-basketball-legends/780946002/ |website=Commercial Appeal |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=July 13, 2018}}</ref> The head coach of the [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis Tigers]], [[Bob Vanatta]], told Gordon that Cowboys head coach [[Henry Iba]] was prepared to integrate his team and recruited Gordon on behalf of Iba;<ref name=tramel>{{cite web |last1=Tramel |first1=Jimmie |title=L.C. Gordon proud to be an OSU trailblazer |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/l-c-gordon-proud-to-be-an-osu-trailblazer/article_e46139b8-37c7-514a-852d-734c7eca1935.html |website=Tulsa World |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=October 17, 2013}}</ref><ref name=carlson>{{cite web |last1=Carlson |first1=Jenni |title=L.C. Gordon thankful to be a trailblazer at Oklahoma State |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3894298/lc-gordon-thankful-to-be-a-trailblazer-at-oklahoma-state |website=The Oklahoman |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> Gordon committed to play for the Cowboys without visiting the university's campus.<ref name=carlson /> As a [[Guard (basketball)|guard]], Gordon had considered himself as an offensive player but was converted to become the team's defensive specialist by Iba and assigned to guard the opponents' best scorers.<ref name=tramel /> He suffered from the effects of racism and segregation as the only black player on the Cowboys but credited his teammates with helping to embrace him.<ref name=foster /><ref name=carlson /><ref name=juliano>{{cite web |last1=Juliano |first1=Joe |title=Penn State's Trent Gordon gained awareness of racial struggles through groundbreaking grandfather |url=https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/villanova/penn-state-football-trent-gordon-lc-oklahoma-state-color-barrier-basketball-20200716.html |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=July 16, 2020}}</ref>


Gordon graduated from [[Oklahoma State University]] in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education.<ref name=osua>{{cite web |title=L.C. Gordon Named Homecoming 2013 Grand Marshal |url=https://www.orangeconnection.org/s/860/18/interior.aspx?sid=860&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=13116&ecid=13116&ciid=40765&crid=0 |website=Oklahoma State University Alumni Association |access-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref> He earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from the [[University of Memphis]] and a master's degree in physical education from [[Texas Southern University]].<ref name=osua />
Gordon graduated from [[Oklahoma State University]] in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education.<ref name=osua>{{cite web |title=L.C. Gordon Named Homecoming 2013 Grand Marshal |url=https://www.orangeconnection.org/s/860/18/interior.aspx?sid=860&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=13116&ecid=13116&ciid=40765&crid=0 |website=Oklahoma State University Alumni Association |access-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref> He earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from the [[University of Memphis]] and a master's degree in physical education from [[Texas Southern University]].<ref name=osua />


==Coaching career==
Gordon was named head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers in 1969 after serving as the basketball coach at [[George Washington Carver High School (Memphis, Tennessee)|Carver High School]] the three previous years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former OSU Star Named TSU Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/85792722/ |access-date=February 5, 2021 |work=The Waxahachie Daily Light |date=October 15, 1969 |page=6}}</ref> He amassed a 63–43 record over four seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Texas Southern |url=http://collegehoopedia.com/schools/texas-southern |website=College Hoopedia |access-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref> Gordon resigned as head coach of the Tigers on September 5, 1973.<ref>{{cite news |title=Basketball |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-evening-sentinel-sep-05-1973-p-10/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=97a8a35bdb8ba99eb29b8b79199b06299e0cb453-1612506641-0-AVqgIUkmfWVOx9tkDyrXw2HJrONmPL5kI9ooKFNf9sh4q0Vc1fL2NMsytOu4I-HCa14zx3oste0HEPvhanG1f1ihpYbVCDUgKqgQpgGEYPeRYUlicL9tNSQhtr5Fc9Tnj4Y3bbw2MnNMUMBbgY4uXzvl-dDrgdrIAVXC1uaBopiYL-gikCUk-IIdJhKVHgEhvrd0qSw2J-DFakC8mSYgHdMe-xKXxXltuflj0-YKAIoM1RfnoXRDLOUNsc9c8FcG7g7Yq5qSnkBkFHJ3S5Br0XeAxkVbRUq6ar-79ALAPBNTx04LVR1q21FCBDjP1UNIImT4BzCtdhqZIk1lT5xYue0-cQkNfBpM5DK73kBdVY_M |access-date=February 5, 2021 |work=Centralia Evening Sentinel |date=September 5, 1973 |page=10}}</ref>
Gordon was named head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers in 1969 after serving as the basketball coach at [[George Washington Carver High School (Memphis, Tennessee)|Carver High School]] the three previous years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former OSU Star Named TSU Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/85792722/ |access-date=February 5, 2021 |work=The Waxahachie Daily Light |date=October 15, 1969 |page=6}}</ref> He amassed a 63–43 record over four seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Texas Southern |url=http://collegehoopedia.com/schools/texas-southern |website=College Hoopedia |access-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref> Gordon resigned as head coach of the Tigers on September 5, 1973.<ref>{{cite news |title=Basketball |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-evening-sentinel-sep-05-1973-p-10/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=97a8a35bdb8ba99eb29b8b79199b06299e0cb453-1612506641-0-AVqgIUkmfWVOx9tkDyrXw2HJrONmPL5kI9ooKFNf9sh4q0Vc1fL2NMsytOu4I-HCa14zx3oste0HEPvhanG1f1ihpYbVCDUgKqgQpgGEYPeRYUlicL9tNSQhtr5Fc9Tnj4Y3bbw2MnNMUMBbgY4uXzvl-dDrgdrIAVXC1uaBopiYL-gikCUk-IIdJhKVHgEhvrd0qSw2J-DFakC8mSYgHdMe-xKXxXltuflj0-YKAIoM1RfnoXRDLOUNsc9c8FcG7g7Yq5qSnkBkFHJ3S5Br0XeAxkVbRUq6ar-79ALAPBNTx04LVR1q21FCBDjP1UNIImT4BzCtdhqZIk1lT5xYue0-cQkNfBpM5DK73kBdVY_M |access-date=February 5, 2021 |work=Centralia Evening Sentinel |date=September 5, 1973 |page=10}}</ref>


==Personal life==
Gordon was honored by Oklahoma State University as the [[grand marshal]] of [[homecoming]] in 2013 and is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.<ref name=osua /> His son, Lavalius Jr., played [[college football]] and basketball for the [[North Texas Mean Green]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sauber |first1=Jon |title=Penn State football's Trent Gordon inspired by grandfather in fight for equality |url=https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article244271797.html |website=Centre Daily Times |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> His grandson, Trent, plays college football for the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas Razorbacks]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NSD 21: Trent Gordon |url=https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/nsd-21-trent-gordon/ |website=Arkansas Razorbacks |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=December 16, 2020}}</ref>
Gordon's son, Lavalius Jr., played [[college football]] and basketball for the [[North Texas Mean Green]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sauber |first1=Jon |title=Penn State football's Trent Gordon inspired by grandfather in fight for equality |url=https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article244271797.html |website=Centre Daily Times |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> His grandson, Trent, plays college football for the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas Razorbacks]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NSD 21: Trent Gordon |url=https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/nsd-21-trent-gordon/ |website=Arkansas Razorbacks |access-date=February 5, 2021 |date=December 16, 2020}}</ref>

Gordon was honored by Oklahoma State University as the [[grand marshal]] of [[homecoming]] in 2013 and was a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.<ref name=osua />

Gordon died on November 4, 2023, in [[Memphis, Tennessee]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Lavalius Gordon Obituary |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/lavalius-gordon-obituary?pid=205639010 |website=Legacy |access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> at the age of 86<ref>{{cite web |title=Cowboy Basketball mourns the loss of 'trailblazer' L.C. Gordon |url=https://okstate.com/news/2023/11/10/cowboy-basketball-mourns-the-loss-of-trailblazer-l-c-gordon |website=Oklahoma State University Athletics |access-date=December 12, 2023 |date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Memphis, Tennessee]]
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[[Category:People from Abbeville, Mississippi]]

Revision as of 12:04, 12 December 2023

L. C. Gordon
Biographical details
Born(1937-06-11)June 11, 1937
Abbeville, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedNovember 4, 2023(2023-11-04) (aged 86)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
1958–1961Oklahoma State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1966–1969Carver HS
1969–1973Texas Southern
Head coaching record
Overall63–43 (.594)

Lavalius Cyrone Gordon (June 11, 1937 – November 4, 2023) was an American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1958 to 1961, where he was the first African-American to play for the team. Gordon served as the head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers from 1969 to 1973.

Early life

Gordon was born in Abbeville, Mississippi, and was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where he played basketball at Booker T. Washington High School.[1] The head coach of the Memphis Tigers, Bob Vanatta, told Gordon that Cowboys head coach Henry Iba was prepared to integrate his team and recruited Gordon on behalf of Iba;[2][3] Gordon committed to play for the Cowboys without visiting the university's campus.[3] As a guard, Gordon had considered himself as an offensive player but was converted to become the team's defensive specialist by Iba and assigned to guard the opponents' best scorers.[2] He suffered from the effects of racism and segregation as the only black player on the Cowboys but credited his teammates with helping to embrace him.[1][3][4]

Gordon graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education.[5] He earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from the University of Memphis and a master's degree in physical education from Texas Southern University.[5]

Coaching career

Gordon was named head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers in 1969 after serving as the basketball coach at Carver High School the three previous years.[6] He amassed a 63–43 record over four seasons.[7] Gordon resigned as head coach of the Tigers on September 5, 1973.[8]

Personal life

Gordon's son, Lavalius Jr., played college football and basketball for the North Texas Mean Green.[9] His grandson, Trent, plays college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.[10]

Gordon was honored by Oklahoma State University as the grand marshal of homecoming in 2013 and was a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.[5]

Gordon died on November 4, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee,[11] at the age of 86[12]

References

  1. ^ a b Foster, Earniece H. (July 13, 2018). "Basketball legends L.C. Gordon and Jerry Johnson will be honored Sunday". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Tramel, Jimmie (October 17, 2013). "L.C. Gordon proud to be an OSU trailblazer". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Carlson, Jenni (October 17, 2013). "L.C. Gordon thankful to be a trailblazer at Oklahoma State". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  4. ^ Juliano, Joe (July 16, 2020). "Penn State's Trent Gordon gained awareness of racial struggles through groundbreaking grandfather". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "L.C. Gordon Named Homecoming 2013 Grand Marshal". Oklahoma State University Alumni Association. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "Former OSU Star Named TSU Coach". The Waxahachie Daily Light. October 15, 1969. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "Texas Southern". College Hoopedia. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  8. ^ "Basketball". Centralia Evening Sentinel. September 5, 1973. p. 10. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  9. ^ Sauber, Jon (July 16, 2020). "Penn State football's Trent Gordon inspired by grandfather in fight for equality". Centre Daily Times. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  10. ^ "NSD 21: Trent Gordon". Arkansas Razorbacks. December 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Lavalius Gordon Obituary". Legacy. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Cowboy Basketball mourns the loss of 'trailblazer' L.C. Gordon". Oklahoma State University Athletics. November 10, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
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