The Black 14 Legacy Endowment

The Black 14 are Jerome Berry, Tony Gibson, John Griffin, Lionel Grimes, Mel Hamilton, Ron Hill, Willie Hysaw, Jim Issac, Earl Lee, Tony McGee, Don Meadows, Ivie Moore, Joe Wil1iams, and Ted Williams. On October 17, 1969, the Black 14 were dismissed from the University of Wyoming football team by then head coach Lloyd Eaton. Their dismissal resulted from asking Eaton for permission to protest the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints policy of prohibiting black persons from attaining the priesthood. Specifically, the players planned to wear black armbands during the game against Brigham Young University, which is associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fifty years after the dismissal, the University of Wyoming honored the Black 14 for their courage and their conviction and to promote education, healing, and learning how to move forward effectively.