L. C. Gordon
American basketball coach (1937–2023)
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Lavalius Cyrone Gordon (June 11, 1937 – November 4, 2023) was an American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1958 to 1961, where he was the first African-American to play for the team. Gordon served as the head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers from 1969 to 1973.
Abbeville, Mississippi, U.S.
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 11, 1937 Abbeville, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | November 4, 2023 (aged 86) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1958–1961 | Oklahoma State |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1966–1969 | Carver HS |
| 1969–1973 | Texas Southern |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 63–43 (.594) |
Early life
Gordon was born in Abbeville, Mississippi, and was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where he played basketball at Booker T. Washington High School.[1] The head coach of the Memphis Tigers, Bob Vanatta, told Gordon that Cowboys head coach Henry Iba was prepared to integrate his team and recruited Gordon on behalf of Iba;[2][3] Gordon committed to play for the Cowboys without visiting the university's campus.[3] As a guard, Gordon had considered himself as an offensive player but was converted to become the team's defensive specialist by Iba and assigned to guard the opponents' best scorers.[2] He suffered from the effects of racism and segregation as the only black player on the Cowboys but credited his teammates with helping to embrace him.[1][3][4]
Gordon graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education.[5] He earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from the University of Memphis and a master's degree in physical education from Texas Southern University.[5]
Coaching career
Gordon was named head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers in 1969 after serving as the basketball coach at Carver High School the three previous years.[6] He amassed a 63–43 record over four seasons.[7] Gordon resigned as head coach of the Tigers on September 5, 1973.[8]
Personal life
Gordon's son, Lavalius Jr., played college football and basketball for the North Texas Mean Green.[9] His grandson, Trent, plays college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.[10]
Gordon was honored by Oklahoma State University as the grand marshal of homecoming in 2013 and was a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.[5]
Gordon died on November 4, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee,[11] at the age of 86[12]