On the verge of closing its doors, a struggling college in Texas called a desperation play: It cut its football program and turned the field into a farm instead. A decade later, the decision has transformed an entire community.
By Laura Beil
When Paul Quinn College was founded in 1872, it was the first institution of higher learning for African Americans west of the Mississippi River—a historic achievement. For more than a century, the school fostered a proud tradition. One graduate became a theater director and producer during the Harlem Renaissance, helping to launch the careers of black actors during the mid-20th century. Another alumnus was elected to the Texas legislature.
In 1990, the campus moved from its original location in Central Texas to Dallas and boasted 1,000 students. But the coming decade brought deterioration to both academics and fiscal stability. Income dried up. Enrollment plummeted (it would eventually drop to 151), and most students didn’t graduate. Yet through it all, there was football. The Paul Quinn Tigers kept playing, and in 2002 the team finished with a rare winning record.
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Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Monday, November 20th 2017 at 11:36AM
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