Earl Lloyd has seen his share of monumental firsts and victories.
A standout basketball player who played on three of the most successful basketball teams in West Virginia State history, Lloyd made history 58 years ago when he became the first African-American to play in the NBA on Oct. 31, 1950 for the Washington Capitols. Earlier this year Lloyd was interviewed and featured in the ESPN network's documentary film "Black Magic."
With U.S. Senator Barack Obama winning his presidential bid to the White House and becoming the first African-American president-elect, the historic election means something very special to Lloyd.
"I'll tell you, one of the things that I never imagined in my lifetime has happened. What registers with me the most is that this is the first time I can look at a black child, my child or my grandchild and honestly say to them 'you can be president someday,'" Earl Lloyd said. "Not until now could I look at my kids and grandkids and say 'you can be anything you want to be and really mean it. You know. Now, it's not just a thought.'"
Lloyd said late Tuesday night as he and his wife watched the election results unfold, they shed joyous tears for America as they witnessed the historic presidential win.
"The images of joyous faces of the people on TV and those looks of joy on the faces of not only black, but white, Hispanic and all the people celebrating made the event emotional," he said.
Lloyd, who is now retired and living in Fairfield Glade, also served as a basketball coach and scout for the Detroit Pistons in the early '70s. In 1950 he was selected in the ninth round of the NBA Draft by the Washington Capitols and the first game, against the Rochester Royals, was days before the debut of two other African-Americans who helped integrate the NBA — Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics, the first African-American draftee, and Nat (Sweetwater) Clifton of the New York Knickerbockers, the first African-American to sign an NBA contract.
He became the NBA’s first African-American assistant coach when he joined the staff of the Detroit Pistons in 1968. Three years later, Lloyd became the first African-American bench coach and only the second African-American head coach with the Pistons.
Lloyd was elected to the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and honored in 2006. He was also inducted, as a contributor, into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA in 2003.
Wednesday morning Lloyd said, "Until now, having a black man for a president was just a dream. It wasn't a reality or anything close to it. It was just a thought ... It's amazing and unimaginable ... You know a picture is worth a thousand words and seeing that young, black woman on TV at Spellman College in Atlanta, down on her knees and crying — I mean to me, that says it all. What just happened in this country — it means a lot to me."
He credited young Americans for helping Obama's win occur.
"Obama was able to inspire a lot of young people. To get them out there and vote. Black and white and Hispanic. The younger people of this country have a lot of energy and the young people had to do it. He is a very smart man and it won't be easy for him. He's going to have a lot of challenges. But he's offering the young and old people of this country hope and that's a big step in the right direction," Lloyd said.
Area News
Related Photos
Obama victory a special one for Glade resident Earl Lloyd
- Area News
-
-
A champion fair!
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Julius Johnson recently presented awards to 56 of the state’s top county agricultural fairs. They were recognized with the Merit Award for outstanding achievement during the 2011 fair season. More than 950 people attended the Fairs Merit Awards recognition dinner at the 90th Annual Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) convention held January 19-21, in Nashville.
-
Test scores to be reflected in final grades
While student achievement and growth on test scores have begun being used to evaluate teacher performance and to score school districts on effectiveness, those scores have not been reflected on an individual student's report card. That will change with the 2012 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test when state law will require schools to use those scores as part of a student's final grade.
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
Counterfeiting draws two-year sentence
A Cumberland County man who was among several local residents charged by Crossville Police with being involved in counterfeiting schemes pleaded guilty last week in Criminal Court and received a two-year prison sentence.
-
Argument over pillows, ashtray, leads to stabbing
A Crossville man suffered a collapsed lung and a woman has been arrested on a felony charge in connection with an incident that took place last week in the city, according to reports.
-
Women charged in theft from employer scheme
Two women were arrested and stolen property recovered after a corporate loss prevention officer uncovered a theft scheme, according to Crossville Police reports.
-
SLIDESHOW: Super Bowl by the numbers
The nation's biggest sporting event produces some staggering statistics, from the number of chicken wings consumed -- 1.25 billion -- to the amount of money some people plan to bet on the game.
-
Special blood drive set today
The American Red Cross is reporting lower donations than expected since the start of 2012. O blood types are particularly low, but all blood types are needed.
-
Trio charged with cockfighting in the city
Three young Cumberland County men charged with fighting roosters said they were only sparring their birds, and not holding a cockfight. Doesn't matter, said Crossville Police, who took the trio into custody and formally charged them with what some call a sport now banned in Tennessee.
-
Residents say 'No Dump'
Residents of the Crab Orchard community told their city council members a landfill isn't welcome in their community at a public hearing last week. Others expressed concern that a landfill would not spur the type of development they envision for the small town east of Crossville.
- More Area News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
