It was like him against the establishment. When we played, it was us against the establishment. You know, it was like a pride thing in the sense that it was what he felt, and he let us know that it was part of the mission. It goes back to where he never really changed. I think that's why he identified with so many people.
Some guys say it, and some guys live it.
Coach, he lived it. He lived it. Change was inevitable, but McGuire and Haskins were at the forefront of racial equality on the college basketball courts of America. Integration on the athletic fields in college sports was just beginning and many institutions of alleged higher learning were finding it hard to fully appreciate the concept of black players on their respective teams. Not Al McGuire.