A milestone in Kentucky sports history and the players who made it happen will be recognized at the basketball game between Berea College and Bethel College in Seabury Center Arena scheduled this Saturday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m.

1954-55 Berea College Mountaineers

A special half time ceremony recognizing the historic 1954-55 Championship Team, part of the various Black History Month celebrations at Berea College, will honor members of the 1954-55 basketball team. Admission to the game is free.

Coached by C. W. Wyatt, the team won the 1955 KIAC tournament, the first KIAC championship for Berea College since 1931. Many of these athletes were part of the team, which won an even more important victory the previous year. As the first racially integrated collegiate basketball team in Kentucky, these athletes faced many challenges both on and off the basketball court. The efforts and experiences of these players, black and white, in breaking down the “color barrier,” helped paved the way for other players and future generations.

Irvine Shanks was a freshman when he became the first African American to play basketball for Berea College, joining the Mountaineers mid-way through the 1953-54 season as a six-five center. On February 6, 1954, the first racially integrated college basketball game in Kentucky was played when Shanks started against Bellarmine College in a game in Berea's Old Seabury Gym. Shanks attended Berea for two years, playing for two seasons with the Mountaineers, including the '54-'55 championship team. Originally from Richmond, Shanks currently resides in Lexington.

A more complete account of this remarkable period in Berea's and Kentucky's history can be found in volume one of "B For Berea, The Amazing Story of Berea College Basketball in the Words of the Men Who Played It (2000)" written by Tom Chase.

Eleven of the team members from 1954-55, including Shanks, will be at Saturday’s game and ceremony. Prior to the game, the players and their families and guests will be hosted at a luncheon by President and Mrs. Larry Shinn at their home.