Rus Bradburd

In 2002, when Nolan Richardson gave his famous press conference that blended elements of US race history with a call to buy out his contract at the University of Arkansas I was one of many who thought that it was time for him to go. Granted, I did not know the entire story at the time and the debacle that has been Arkansas Razorback basketball has caused a deep sense of regret that the greatest figure in Arkansas sports history does not still roam the sidelines.

In this book, Bradburn recounts Nolan’s rise from the poorest neighborhood in El Paso to arguably the most important black collegiate basketball coach of all time. He does a remarkable job of placing Nolan’s meltdown into its full context. Nolan does not escape without any scars in this telling but the greatest damage is done to the legacy of Frank Broyles, the most powerful Athletic Director in the country who could not tolerate any coach being more popular or successful than he was.

That Nolan’s story ended at the University of Arkansas so poorly is a sad testament to the bitter specter of racism that has plagued this nation for far too long. Nolan was a trailblazer in many ways. How sad that he is not still coaching my favorite team. Arkansas basketball might never regain the prominence that he led them to.… (plus d'informations)