Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame
The 1940-41 North Carolina College basketball team was Coach John B. McLendon's first as head coach. He called them his "thousand-dollar team" because for the privilege of coaching them he had declined an offer of $1,000 more a year from another college. The team repaid his loyalty by bringing NCC the first championship in its athletic history.
For those years, the team had five giants, standing 6-4, 6-5, 6-5, 6-7, and 6-11. With their teammates, named the Whiz Kids, the big men contributed to an undefeated season in the CIAA, winning the 14th and final conference game against North Carolina A&T in 28-27 defensive battle. The Associated Negro Press rated this edition of the Eagles Number One in the nation.
The team's overall record was 25-4. Team members that season were (front row, 1-r): James "Boogie"Hardy, Richard "Dick" Mack, Floyd H. Brown, George "Mighty" Mack, Leo Fine, Walter Womack, William "Bill" Peerman; (second row. 1-r): John B. "Little Coach" McLendon, Jr., coach; Rudolph "Rocky" Roberson, Reginald "Hawk" Ennis, John"Big" Brown, Norbert "Slim" Downing, Harold "Slam" Colbert, Lee W. Smith, Jr., Buford Allen, Monroe Collins, and Albert Johnson, manager.
