Long Before The Missouri Boycott, There Was The Syracuse 8 (Plus 1)

In 1970, the Syracuse 8 _  which was actually comprised of nine African-American football players at the Syracuse University _ boycotted the entire season. They were protesting the treatment of African-American players by the football program.

The day the famous picture of eight of the players was taken, the ninth player was missing because of an injury. The names and graduation class of the Syracuse 8 (Plus 1) are: Gregory Allen ’72, Richard Bulls ’73, John Godbolt ’73, Dana Harrell ’71, G73, John Lobon 9’73, Clarence “Bucky” McGill ’72, A. Alif Muhammad ’71, Duane Walker ’80 and Ron Womack ’71.

The student-athletes  felt Syracuse coach Floyd ‘Ben’ Schwartzwalder, who coached the legendary Jim Brown during his career at Syracuse, used discriminatory practices.

The  nine players demanded the football staff become integrated, and that African-American  players be afforded a fair opportunity to compete for playing time. They also wanted  better medical care, and academic tutorial services for African-American Athletes.

As a result of their boycott,  Syracuse conducted an investigation.   The report concluded that the player’s concerns were justified, and the university promised to address their issues going forward.

The Syracuse 8 received their SU letterman’s jacket 36 years later in 2006, at halftime of the SU-Louisville football game.

More about the Syracuse 8 appears in a 2006 column written by Bill Rhoden of the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/22/sports/ncaafootball/22rhoden.html?_r=0