In the realm of philanthropy, there’s a noble honor in seeding the fields of potential for students involved in athletics. Donating to a non-profit or community organization transcends mere generosity; it’s an investment in resilience, fortitude, and dreams. One of TBLF’s goals is preserving the history of Texas Great Women and Men with careers related to sports and serving underserved communities.
It’s the honor of becoming a catalyst for change, fostering opportunity where it’s most needed. Each contribution 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 the transformative power of sport. Honoree applications will be accepted yearly between November 1st, through January 10th.
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. The honorees, each bearing the names of extraordinary visionaries and trailblazers showcased in the following section, symbolize resilience, innovation, and a profound commitment to progress. Their names serve as not just markers of identity but as living tributes to the enduring spirit and transformative impact that continues to shape the fabric of our community.
Retha Swindell Athletic and Community Service Award
While in high school Retha Swindell competed in track and field and basketball. Swindell competed at the University Interscholastic League Class A Girls State Track and Field. In 1973 Swindell set a record in the triple jump of 37 feet and 10 inches. She won state in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Swindell was named All-District in basketball three consecutive years and All-State two consecutive years in high school.
Retha Swindell has made a lasting impact as the first Black Woman to play basketball at the University of Texas. Swindell played for Texas from 1975 to 1979 on a full academic scholarship, the Texas Achievement Scholarship. She earned a degree in education from The University of Texas. While Swindell was at the University of Texas, Title IX was passed. Women’s Basketball at Texas transitioned from an intramural sport to a varsity sport. Swindell is the University of Texas All Time leader in rebounds with 1,759. She scored 1,795 career points. She was inducted into the University of Texas Women’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Retha Swindell, a standout forward, was drafted in the first round of the WBL draft. She was the 13th overall pick by the Chicago Hustlers of the 1980 Women’s Professional Basketball League. Swindell was traded to the Milwaukee Express. As a free agent Swindell joined the Dallas Diamonds and helped the team win the championship game against Nebraska. Swindell 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. Retha Swindell is a longtime coach at Baytown (Texas) High School.
She currently works with the nonprofit, Legends of the Ball, to ensure the WBL gets the recognition it deserves. Swindell was inducted into the Women’s Basketball League Hall of Fame in 2018.
James “Coach” Wilson Officiating and Community Service Award
James Wilson started his athletics career with the NAIA as a student-athlete lettering in four sports at Huston-Tillotson University (Texas). Wilson served as HT’s athletic director for 44 years (1960-2004), including playing a key role in the first five years of the RRAC’s existence with HT serving as a charter member.
During Wilson’s tenure he grew the athletics department from three men’s sports to eight and added seven women’s athletic programs. He served as a coach in all of the Rams’ sports throughout the early part of his career, guiding 26 student-athletes to All-American status and winning numerous championships. Notably during those years, 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 RRAC 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. Wilson is a well respected official, officiating Texas High School Championships, and Lone Star, Southwest and Big 12 conference events. He broke through barriers as the first Black official to officiate a Texas high school football game, and he was later called on to serve as an official at major events such as the Orange Bowl. In that event’s 1991 version, it was Wilson who made a critical correct call of clipping that was decisive in a 10-9 win for the University of Colorado. He also worked the final game in the history of the defunct Southwest Conference between the University of Texas an Texas A&M University.
Wilson conducted a program for athletes to learn about officiating in multi-sports and made arrangements for the students to officiate in summer programs and middle school and high school competitions.
Wilson has a heart of service and he cares about his athletes on and off the field. Wilson was one of the first African-American players during the troubles of segregation in the early 1950s and he led the way as a coach at the 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. He earned his 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 from 1965 to 1991. While at Prairie View A&M, Coach Jacket’s women’s track and field Team won 18 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic titles. At the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Coach Jacket’s team won 23 SWAC championships. Jacket was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the year a total of 23 times and NAIA Coach of the year five times. Coach Jacket had a total of 57 All Americans and 5 Olympic contenders. Coach Jacket was promoted to Athletic Director at Prairie View A&M in 1990. This made her the first Woman Athletic Director in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Coach Jacket coached several USA teams on the international level that included the World Championship. At the age of 56 Coach Jacket retired as Head Coach at Prairie View A&M. In 1992 Coach Jacket became the second African-American woman USA Olympic Track and Field Women’s head coach. While serving as the USA Women’s Olympic Coach, USA women took home 4 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals. During that time this was the most US 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. Kincaide worked for the Dallas school district for 38 years as a teacher, coach, principal and administrator. Kincaide was the executive director of athletics from 1979 to 1991 for Dallas ISD. As the Athletic Director, Kincaide introduced the “All City Academic Team” concept for athletes in Dallas ISD. This concept acknowledges athletes for their accomplishments in the classroom. At the high school level.
In 1995 Kincaide was the Athletic Director at Paul Quinn College. In 2005 Kincaide was the interim college president.
Kincaide received the Dallas Coaches Association “Leadership Award.” He is inducted in the Prairie View Interscholastic League Hall of Fame and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame. KKDA radio station awarded Kincaide for his outstanding performance as Dallas ISD’s executive director of athletics and he received recognition from the City of Dallas for leadership in administration and athletics.
