In the realm of philanthropy, there is a noble honor in seeding the fields of potential for students interested in the business world of sports. Donating resources and time to a non-profit or community organization transcends mere generosity; it is an investment in resilience, fortitude, and dreams. One of TBLF’s goals is preserving the history of Black Texans with careers impacting the world sports and hearts for serving underserved communities.
It is the honor of becoming a catalyst for change, fostering opportunity where it’s most needed and serves the least of these. Living as a community servant resonates as a beacon of hope, painting a brighter tomorrow where talent thrives unbounded by circumstance. It’s the privilege of being a guardian of
aspirations, empowering young minds to sculpt their destinies through experiencing the gifts from the world of sports.
Honoree applications will be accepted annually between October 15th and December 31st.
TBLF Honoree Categories
The Texas Black Legacy Foundation stands as a beacon of recognition, celebrating the exceptional contributions and unwavering legacies of individuals whose names resonate through history’s corridors. There are four categories to nominate deserving individuals who embody a legacy of exceptional community service in Athletics, Officiating, Coaching and Administration. Learn more about the categories and the named awards. Honoree applications will be accepted annually between October 15 and December 31.
Retha Swindell Athletic and Community Service Award
As a Texas high school student, Retha Swindell competed in track and field, and basketball at the University Interscholastic League Class A Girls State Track and Field. She won state in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump. She was also named All-District in basketball for three consecutive years and All-State for two consecutive years. In 1973, Swindell set a record in the triple jump of 37 feet and 10 inches.
Swindell has made a lasting impact as the first black woman to play basketball at The University of Texas (UT) at Austin. She played from 1975 to 1979 on a full academic scholarship (Texas Achievement Scholarship) and earned a degree in education. While at UT Austin, Title IX was passed, and women’s basketball transitioned from an intramural to a varsity sport. Swindell is UT Austin’s all-time leader in rebounds with a total of 1,759. She scored 1,795 career points and was inducted into the UT Austin’s Women’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Swindell, a standout forward, was drafted in the first round of the 1980 Women’s Basketball League (WBL) draft and was the 13th overall pick by the Chicago Hustlers. She was later traded to the Milwaukee Express. As a free agent, Swindell joined the Dallas Diamonds and helped the team win the championship game against Nebraska. She ended her professional career in 1983. In 1986, Swindell became the head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team at Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, TX and has been a long-time coach at Baytown High School.
Swindell currently works with the nonprofit, Legends of the Ball, to ensure the WBL receives the recognition it deserves. Retha Swindell was inducted into the Women’s Basketball League Hall of Fame in 2018.
James “Coach” Wilson Officiating and Community Service Award
James Wilson began his athletic career with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a student-athlete lettering in four sports at Huston-Tillotson (HT) University in Austin, Texas. He served as HT’s athletic director for 44 years (1960-2004) and was key in the university’s participation in the first five years of the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). HT is proudly recognized as a charter member.
During his tenure, the number of men’s sports increased from three to eight and seven women’s athletic programs were added. Wilson coached all of the Rams’ sports throughout the early part of his career, winning numerous championships and guiding 26 student-athletes to All-American status. HT earned a share of the 2001 RRAC All-Sports Award, and the Rams’ men’s basketball team won a thrilling 113-111 overtime victory over Houston Baptist University (Texas) in the tournament finale.
Wilson is held in high esteem by alumni, parents, and students and is a member of the Huston-Tillotson, Austin Sports Foundation, and the National Football Foundation Halls of Fame. He is a well-respected official, officiating Texas High School Championships, Lone Star, Southwest, and Big 12 conference events. He broke barriers as the first black official to officiate a Texas high school football game and served as an official at the 1991 Orange Bowl. It was Wilson who made a critical correct call of clipping that was decisive in the 10-9 win for the University of Colorado. He also worked at the historical final game in the now defunct Southwest Conference between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University.
Wilson conducted a program for athletes to learn about officiating in different sports and provided opportunities for the students to officiate in summer programs, including middle school and high school competitions.
Wilson has a heart of service, and he cares about his athletes on and off the field. He was one of the first black players during segregation in the early 1950s and became a coach at a historically black university. He was awarded the Shorty Alderson Award for outstanding contributions to football officials and high school football in 1993.
Wilson was named to the Austin Sports Hall of Fame (1993) and the NAIA Hall of Fame (2011) as a coach and athletic director. In 2012, he received an honorary doctorate from HT and earned a Master’s Degree from Prairie View A&M University (Texas) decades earlier. HT’s Wilson Athletic Awards Banquet also honors their program’s former leader.
Wilson has been married for more than 50 years and raised two sons who carry on the character of their father.
Barbara Jacket Coaching and Community Service Award
Barbara Jacket was one of the greatest women’s track and field coaches in the United States. “Coach Jacket” was the head track and field coach at Prairie View A&M University (Texas) from 1965 to 1991. She was promoted to Athletic Director in 1990, making her the first female athletic director in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). During her tenure, the women’s track and field team won 18 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) titles and 23 SWAC championships. Coach Jacket was named SWAC Coach of the Year a total of 23 times and NAIA Coach of the Year five times. At the age of 56, Coach Jacket retired as head coach at Prairie View.
Coach Jacket had a total of 57 All-Americans and five Olympic contenders. She coached several USA teams on the international level, including the World Championship.
In 1992, Coach Jacket became the second black female head coach of the USA Women’s Olympic Track and Field Team. They won four gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. At that time, it was the most USA Women’s medals since the 1956 Olympics.
John E. Kincaide Administration and Community Service Award
John E. Kincaide was the first black athletic director in the Dallas Independent School District (ISD). He worked for the district for 38 years as a teacher, coach, principal, and administrator. He was the executive director of athletics from 1979 to 1991 and introduced the “All-City Academic Team” concept. This concept acknowledges high school athletes for their accomplishments in the classroom.
In 1995, Kincaide was the Athletic Director at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, TX. In 2005, he was the interim college president.
Kincaide received the Dallas Coaches Association “Leadership Award”. He was inducted into the Prairie View Interscholastic League and the Texas Black Sports Halls of Fame. Dallas radio station, KKDA, recognized him for outstanding performance as Dallas ISD’s executive director of athletics. And, the City of Dallas recognized Kincaide for leadership in administration and athletics.
