The first ...

While many colleges and coaches have claimed to be the first to break the racial barrier in the modern college football era, one man stands alone: Don Hudson.

Unfortunately, it wasn't until last October, 36 years after the fact, that Hudson was finally given his long, overdue recognition. Hudson, an African-American, was named head football coach on Dec. 21, 1971 at Macalester College, an academically elite, predominantly white college in St. Paul, MN.

His legacy isn't about winning and fanfare. In fact, his undermanned and poorly-skilled teams only mustered a 3-36 record during his four seasons with the Scots. What Hudson did leave was an indelible impression on his players, one filled with dignity, enthusiasm, and a sense of humor during dire times.

Hudson, 77, was feted by 50 former players and 100 friends, family, and college administrators. He was honored at halftime of Macalester's game against Colorado College.

Hudson is no stranger to setting precedents. Prior to coaching at Macalester, Hudson was the head coach at Minneapolis Central High, becoming the first black head football coach in the city's league. His reward? All of the white assistant coaches quit on him and only 10 players bothered to attend his first practice: five black and five white.

Pioneering black coaches Ron Stratten, who was hired at Portland State in March of 1972, and Cass Jackson, who was hired at Oberlin College in Ohio in January of 1973, were thought to be the first. Invalid claims, both.

In 1979, Wichita State hired Willie Jeffries to become the first black head football coach at a Division I program.

As an aside, researchers at Dartmouth have learned that Matthew Washington Bullock preceded Hudson as the first black head coach. Bullock was hired in 1904 at Massachusetts Agricultural College long before the creation of the NCAA.

For the record, it is Hudson who stands alone. To us, it's all there in black and white.