SAN ANTONIO – For the University of the Incarnate Word men's and women's basketball doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 5 at the McDermott Center, the two programs will be participating in the "This Game is No Secret" initiative.
 
The purpose is to pay homage to Coach John McLendon, the first African American coach to win an integrated national championship. McLendon won the NAIA Division I Men's Tournament in 1957, 1958 and 1959, making him the first coach in history to win three consecutive NAIA championships, giving him a ticket into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
 
In 1944, he coached the North Carolina College Eagles to an 88-44 win over Duke in the "Secret Game", which was the first collegiate basketball contest where African Americans and European-Americans competed on the same floor.
 
The "This Game is No Secret" initiative was created by the Executive Committee of ERACISM, a social inclusion movement committed to bringing forth change though education, awareness, and action with current and former college basketball coaches leading the way.
 
Like many other teams across the country, UIW will honor the legacy of Coach McLendon by wearing shirts with the words "This Game is No Secret."
 
Click here to learn more about "This Game is No Secret Weekend".
 
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