Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
After coaches William Burghardt and John McLendon began to create powerful teams at North Carolina College, Dr. James E. Shepard went looking for someone to tell the story of the Eagles. He found Alex Rivera in the newsroom of the Washington (DC) Tribune. He persuaded Rivera to complete his baccalaureate at NCC, and to, assume publicity duties as a photographer and writer. Rivera, who graduated in 1941, also won that year the Associated Negro Press Award for the best publicized College Sports Program in the United States. He also directed publicity for the CIAA Basketball Tournament in its early years, and in 1949 and 1950 he served as Sports Information Director for both North Carolina A&T College and North Carolina College.
Rivera wrote a series of articles - spending two months sampling public attitudes in the Brown decision in ten states - to win the 1955 Global Syndicate Award for reporting. In 1957, Rivera was honored by an invitation to cover Vice President Richard Nixon's tour of Africa and Europe.
(bio from program at the time of induction)
Back To Hall of Fame
