Danny Treadwell

Class of 2023 Special Achievement Award

March 10, 1966, marked a pivotal moment in Alabama’s sports history, one that would forever change the landscape of high school athletics in the state. On that day, 6-foot-5 Danny Treadwell became the first Black player to compete in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's state basketball tournament. A nervous 18-year-old at the time, Treadwell walked into Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa with his Butler High School teammates, knowing they were about to face Tuscaloosa in a game that was about much more than basketball.

As the team prepared for the tipoff, Treadwell’s nerves were palpable. His hands shook, and his legs felt like they were stuck in quicksand. But Treadwell wasn’t just nervous about the game—he was aware of the deep racial tensions that came with being the first Black player to step onto that court. A crowd of nearly 5,000 people filled the gym, many of them there to jeer at Treadwell and his teammates. Racial slurs and taunts filled the air. Despite the hate, he was determined to play.

Treadwell’s Butler Rebels went on to win that game, beginning a remarkable run that would see them advance to the state finals. Over the next few days, Butler defeated teams from Gadsden, Alexander City, and finally upset the top-ranked Sidney Lanier team to secure the state championship, finishing the season with a 23-3 record.

Reflecting on that historic moment decades later, Treadwell recalled the taunts, but also the profound importance of what he had done. "Somebody had to be the first one," he said. "I’m glad it was me."

Treadwell’s courage on the court in 1966 helped pave the way for future generations of Black athletes in Alabama, becoming a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Today, he is remembered not only for his athletic prowess but for breaking barriers during a time of deep racial segregation.

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