T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History Collection

 

ABSTRACT

 

INTERVIEWEE NAME: Lora Hinton                                                               4700.0327

 

IDENTIFICATION: [1953-         ] First African American to receive LSU football scholarship 

 

INTERVIEWER: Mary Hebert

 

PROJECT: LSU History

 

DATE(S): 1 September 1993; 4 September 1993                    FOCUS DATES: Early 1970s

 

ABSTRACT:

 

Tape 460

 

decision to play football at LSU; Governor McKeithen makes initial contact with Coach Charles McClendon on Hinton's behalf; memories of Coach McClendon; Hinton has difficulty adjusting to Louisiana from his native state of Virginia; lack of segregation on football team; memories of Tiger Stadium; most memorable game;  Tommy Casanova and Mike Miley leaders of the team; Hinton injures knee and doesn't play until his third year on the team; recalls games with Tulane in the early 1970s; philosophy of Offensive Coordinator Charles Peavey; coaches emphasize defense.

 

Tape 461

 

family background; inspired by older brother, Vernon Robinson, who was first in family to attend college; attended segregated elementary school; chooses a predominantly white junior high school because of its superior football program; only four African-American students in the school; did not experience discrimination on the football team; memories of Billy O'Brien high school football coach; O'Brien encourages Hinton to apply for football scholarships; minor racial problems in high school; Hinton participates in extra-curricular activities other than football in high school; high school was integrated; friends from Louisiana encourage Hinton to attend LSU; Hinton almost chooses Duke University over LSU; LSU recruiter Pop Strange; Hinton's high school teammate, Chuck Mamoudis, signs to LSU with Hinton; recalls first game in Tiger Stadium against Colorado; camaraderie of football team; Hinton has difficulty growing accustomed to night games; social activities after the football games; having been an LSU football player helps Hinton professionally; parents attend some of Hinton's games; negative reaction of fans when LSU loses; earns degree in secondary education; history was favorite class while in college; strict rules in athletic dorm; fellow teammates protect Hinton from racism in Baton Rouge community; memories of David Duke as a student; decision to remain in Baton Rouge after graduation; animosity between Southern University and LSU; camaraderie between former LSU football players.    

 

Tape #: 460, 461

 

 

# of CASSETTES: 2                                                            TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 2 hours    

 

 # PAGES TRANSCRIPT: 84

 

 

RESTRICTIONS: None