Coolidge Ball, First Black Student-Athlete at Ole Miss, Passes Away at 71

Ball broke the color barrier in Ole Miss athletics in 1970.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Coolidge Ball, the first African American student-athlete with the Ole Miss Rebels, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 71, the school announced.

Ball, a native of Indianola, Miss., received a plethora of offers from around the country, but he signed with the Ole Miss men's basketball program in August of 1970, becoming the first black student-athlete in the school's history. 

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Coolidge Ball — the greatest trailblazer in the history of Ole Miss athletics,” athletic director Keith Carter said in a statement. “He not only broke down walls for future generations of student-athletes but also provided an example for all those who followed him. Coolidge remained an active member of the Ole Miss family throughout his life and always blew me away with his grace and kindness. Our university is forever grateful for his impact as a student athlete, civil rights leader and friend to us all.”

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

“Emily and I are saddened by the news of Coolidge Ball's passing,” Ole Miss chancellor Glenn Boyce said. “He was a pioneer and a trailblazer whose immense courage opened the door for countless student-athletes at our university and in our state. Coolidge was widely respected for his strength, humility, and kindness and will always be remembered as an extraordinary source of inspiration. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones.”

"Obviously the biggest news and most important thing today is the passing of somebody dear to all of us," head coach Chris Beard said in the opening statement of his Tuesday press conference. "Just a legend. Coolidge Ball was not only one of the best players to play at this school, but one of the best people to go to this school. Simply stated, he's done so much for not only Ole Miss basketball, but the athletic department, the school, the town and the state."

Ball was selected to the 1971 All-SEC Freshman Team, and he saw his first varsity action in the following season. As a sophomore, he led the team by averaging a double-double at 16.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game and was named to the All-SEC Second Team in 1972.

Over the course of his Ole Miss career, Ball scored over 1,072 points and helped lead the Rebels to three-consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1936-38.