On Feb 8, ETSU President Brian Noland and Athletics Director Dr. Richard Sanders, alumni, students, fans, and more all gathered to honor Tommy Woods, the first black player in school history.
Before the game against in-conference foe, Samford. Woods and family were at half-court to experience the momentous sports achievement. As thunderous applause erupted, Woods was once again etched into ETSU Buccaneer greatness. The achievement comes after many broken records.
From 1964-1967, Power Forward Woods helped lead the ETSU Men’s Basketball teams to two Ohio Valley Conference Championships. Accumulating records and wins along the way, the journey was not always that fortunate. Prior to the 1964 basketball season, there were zero black players on the team. Woods would go to great lengths, defying expectations by being the first to begin the path for players ever since.
Despite overcoming the odds to make the team, the South was harshly divided at the peak of Jim Crow and other discriminatory rules that laid in place. Early on during Wood’s Freshmen and even Sophomore seasons, the crowds at Buccaneer games were not pleased to say the least at Woods. “Boos,” and other profanities were often said to Woods during introductions, some following all the way to the action on the court.
Over the next few seasons, and tremendous talent on the court, Woods would go onto have a hall of fame worthy career in Johnson City. Over his three seasons, Woods would record 979 career points, 1,034 rebounds, including most rebounds in a single game (38) and rebounds per game (16.2).
In 1967, Woods would walk off the court for the Buccaneers for the final time. That same year, Woods would join the ill-fated American Basketball Association’s Kentucky Colonels.
While Woods’ basketball career is long over, his remembrance for on-court action will forever be remembered. In addition to his 1996 East Tennessee State University Hall-of-Fame induction, the renaming of the ETSU Men’s basketball locker room renaming in his honor, to finally having his jersey retired once and for all.
For more information on ETSU Athletics, please visit ETSUBucs.com.
