Former NBA Player Sheds Light on His Story to Kick Off 2007 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament
February 18, 2007
Hampton, VA - Former Boston Celtics player and motivational
speaker, Nevil Shed, will deliver the keynote address at the 2007
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men's Tip-Off Banquet
at the Westin Hotel, on Tuesday, February 27. The Men's
Tip-Off Banquet is the opening event of the tournament week
Shed was a part of the history making 1966 NCAA Champions, Texas
Western College. Their victory was so monumental that Walt
Disney's "Glory Road" retells their story. It was the
first time in history that an all black team started against an all
white team; it became one of the NCAA's "25 Defining
Moments." By proving their resilience, this team subsequently
opened doors for other black student athletes to be recruited to
play on then all white teams. Shed and his teammates changed
the way black students athletes were perceived, even though to them
it was more of an issue of being the underdogs as opposed to a race
issue. Shed says, "And what was so good about it, is that
there were so many qualified black athletes who should have been at
these schools and if we played a role in opening the doors to allow
African-Americans to attend any school of their choice, that is a
great impact."
A Bronx, New York native, Shed began his basketball career as a
member of the All-City Basketball Team. He then went on to
play for Texas Western College and made history with "The Miners"
before being drafted to the NBA. After he ended his career in
the NBA he continued to be active in professional basketball by
acting as a consultant to the 2004-2005 NBA Champion San Antonio
Spurs team during his spare time.
Nevil stated "What people did for us yesterday, has a story for the
youth, today. I'm hoping my "Road to Glory" will be a teaching tool
to let them know how it was then, so those facing any challenges
will be able to recall how far we have come as a country and that
with determination, anything can be achieved." It is for this
reason that he dedicates himself to educating and helping the
youth. He shares his story across the nation in community
centers, churches, colleges, and corporations.
