The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 214

I sXxV -y 'A If i h' "-A fc Ll LiitirlGj ji-i 11 Staff Photograph by Jerries N. Keen His varsity football career now over, Wilbur Hackett (above) has some thoughts about better race relations. They-Never Forget I'm Black A LARGE cork bulletin board stood in the middle of the hallway leading to the University of Kentucky's dressing room in Tennessee's Stokely Athletics Center. Instead of notices of scholastic and sports events, there was chalked in large letters a cruel greeting to UK's first Negro basketball player: NIGGER PAYNE "One of our fine fans did this," an embarrassed university policeman said sarcastically as he attempted, with little success, to remove the words. In the locker room, Tom Payne appeared surprised and upset by racial overtones in Kentucky's 75-71 loss to Tennessee at Knoxville Jan.

16. Wilbur Hackett, another UK athlete, would not have been. He has traveled the road before. "It's got to bother him," said Hackett. "He's never been subjected to this.

He's been used to playing with mostly, black guys wasn't he on an all-black team at Shawnee? He doesn't know what to look for." Hackett does. A three-year regular for the UK football team at linebacker, his eligibility now completed, Hackett has been harassed by state police in Mississippi's Memorial Stadium at Jackson, run out of a restaurant at Baton Rouge, La. He has been called "nigger" by players and fans. He has been scorned at times by his own teammates. He has packed his bags, ready to walk out.

But he has stuck it out. He has been UK's defensive co-captain and its Most Valuable Player, and next December he is to receive his degree in business administration. Continued One of UK's pioneering Negro athletes adds up the score, good and bad MCK FENLON, of The Courier-Journal and The Louisville Timet sports department, regularly coven University of Kentucky football and basketball. By DICK FENLON tt THE COURIER-JOURNAL 1 TIMES MAGAZINE.