Erika Norton | Echo
In October 1954, the Taylor Trojans played in Tennessee's first ever interracial football game at Fisk University in Nashville.
Now, 59 years later, the Taylor football team will be hosting Lane College, a traditionally African-American school from Jackson, Tenn., in the Sept. 21 game.
The fact that Taylor broke the race barrier with intercollegiate football in the state of Tennessee is very significant, according to Taylor president Eugene Habecker. He explained how Taylor has been a trailblazer in empowering minorities.
"I think it says that those who have gone before us had the right idea, and I'm very proud of that," Habecker said.
Taylor Athletic Director Angie Fincannon also highlighted the importance of the game in sports history.
"I think it's an amazing historical fact for Taylor, for who we are and what we're about, for Taylor's name to have been the first to reach out and bridge that gap with an African-American sports team," Fincannon said.
Because this year marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and it has been almost 60 years since the historic Fisk game, Habecker feels it is important to have the game this fall. Habecker hopes to make sure those coming from Lane and their team feel welcomed.
"My hope with Lane, which is a Christian college connected with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, is that we'll be able to set up a 'home at home,'" Habecker said. "I want to start a contest, so maybe next year we go down there."Echoing Habecker, Fincannon says she feels honored that Lane is coming to Taylor and hopes they feel welcome.
If a contest is started, it will be one of the first African-American football contests with Taylor since the Fisk game. Habecker also hopes to start things like internships with students and faculty exchanges with Lane.
"I don't know what the Lord has up his sleeve, but I'd be very open to exploring those kinds of mutually beneficial, collaborative relationships," Habecker said.
Fincannon believes the chance to play Lane at this time was providential. It wasn't originally in the football team's schedule, she explained, but due to scheduling changes, both teams had an open spot on Sept. 21.
"God puts these opportunities in our journey of opportunity," Fincannon said. "We were just thrilled when they said yes and right now, we just want to have a great game and to be the best host that we can be."
Fincannon said that head coach Ron Korfmacher hoped to play Fisk University again. However, they no longer have a football program."We want them to feel cared for, and I hope our campus really embraces this opportunity, and I think they will," Fincannon said.
The Trojans shut out Fisk in the 1954 game by a score of 32-0. Both Habecker and Fincannon are looking forward to a great game.=
"They're NCAA Division II, which usually means they give out more scholarships and play bigger schools than we do, but I think we'll do okay," Habecker said.
The Taylor Trojans are 1-1, and the Lane Dragons are currently 2-0. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.
