By Alex Smith
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-621767.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The history of sports is filled with athletes who have become civil rights heroes because of their insistence on equal rights in a segregated society. The accomplishments of people like Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens are widely revered, but their legend frequently overshadows lesser-known figures like basketball coach and Kansas native John McLendon, who died in 1999.
Kansas City Art Institute professor Milton Katz spoke to KCUR's Alex Smith in August, 2007, about his biography of his friend, Coach McLendon. The book Breaking Through: John B. McLendon, Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer was published by the University of Arkansas Press.
Professor Milton Katz will talk about his book at the Kansas City Public Library's Central Library on November 21, 2010 at 2pm.
This story originally aired on August 26, 2007 on KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.