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University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Dwight T. Reed
2/20/2020 6:00:00 AM | Football
Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great in honor of Black History Month. We will be highlighting the careers of 20 black, former student-athletes from various sports as they share what Black History Month means to them, their best memories as Gophers, and their advice for current student-athletes. In addition, the legacies of Gopher legends that have passed away will be honored.
Dwight T. Reed was an end for the Gopher football team for three seasons from 1935-1937. Reed, a St. Paul, Minn. native, played a big role in leading the Gophers to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1935 and 1936, as well as earning Big Ten Conference titles in 1935 and 1937. Reed played alongside All-American Gopher Ray King and was said to be comparable in talent and production on the field, but due to national racial prejudice, never received recognition and accolades that he deserved.
In the 1930's, the Big Ten offered some of the only opportunities for Black players to compete at the collegiate level. Despite these opportunities being available for Black athletes at the time, Minnesota was grappling with the effects of segregation in dormitories and other spaces on campus. Throughout the 1930's, African American students enrolled at the University of Minnesota were forced to move out of dormitories on campus and find new housing on their own. These actions were supported by policies put in place at the University.
The opportunity for Reed to play football at this time was special. However, this did not protect Reed from the backlash and anger of other schools and conferences. In 1935, Tulane University traveled to Minnesota to play in the University's homecoming game. Upon arriving, Tulane refused to play the game if Reed was on the field. The Gophers carried on with game, forcing Reed to sit out and watch from the press box. Again in 1936, Reed, along with another Black player, Horace Bell, was forced to sit out in the Gophers game against Texas. The Longhorns refused to play against the Gophers if they were to have Black players on the field.
Despite the adversity and discrimination that Reed faced as a Black student-athlete in his time as a Gopher, he went on to have a very successful career at the University. A talented and determined athlete, Reed was also a light-heavyweight intramural boxing champion and played semi-pro basketball for the Galloping Gophers. After serving in the United States Army's infantry during WWII, Reed moved to Jefferson, Missouri to continue a career in coaching and athletic administration. At Lincoln University, from 1949 to 1972, Reed coached the football team to an impressive record of 135-75-6, enjoying undefeated seasons in 1952 and 1953. Reed coached the team to the Midwestern Athletic Association Championship three times and once to the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. Reed also coached the men's and women's track teams and the men's basketball team in his time at Lincoln University, coaching a total of 93 All-Americans. Reed also served as the athletic director from 1957-1980. In 1985, Lincoln University named its football stadium and track in his honor. Reed passed away in 2000. We remember and celebrate Reed's legacy as a Gopher and beyond as he inspired and led many student-athletes to successful careers and lives beyond sport. Reed paved the way for all student-athletes as a true trailblazer at the University of Minnesota.
Black History Home
Dwight T. Reed was an end for the Gopher football team for three seasons from 1935-1937. Reed, a St. Paul, Minn. native, played a big role in leading the Gophers to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1935 and 1936, as well as earning Big Ten Conference titles in 1935 and 1937. Reed played alongside All-American Gopher Ray King and was said to be comparable in talent and production on the field, but due to national racial prejudice, never received recognition and accolades that he deserved.
In the 1930's, the Big Ten offered some of the only opportunities for Black players to compete at the collegiate level. Despite these opportunities being available for Black athletes at the time, Minnesota was grappling with the effects of segregation in dormitories and other spaces on campus. Throughout the 1930's, African American students enrolled at the University of Minnesota were forced to move out of dormitories on campus and find new housing on their own. These actions were supported by policies put in place at the University.
The opportunity for Reed to play football at this time was special. However, this did not protect Reed from the backlash and anger of other schools and conferences. In 1935, Tulane University traveled to Minnesota to play in the University's homecoming game. Upon arriving, Tulane refused to play the game if Reed was on the field. The Gophers carried on with game, forcing Reed to sit out and watch from the press box. Again in 1936, Reed, along with another Black player, Horace Bell, was forced to sit out in the Gophers game against Texas. The Longhorns refused to play against the Gophers if they were to have Black players on the field.
Despite the adversity and discrimination that Reed faced as a Black student-athlete in his time as a Gopher, he went on to have a very successful career at the University. A talented and determined athlete, Reed was also a light-heavyweight intramural boxing champion and played semi-pro basketball for the Galloping Gophers. After serving in the United States Army's infantry during WWII, Reed moved to Jefferson, Missouri to continue a career in coaching and athletic administration. At Lincoln University, from 1949 to 1972, Reed coached the football team to an impressive record of 135-75-6, enjoying undefeated seasons in 1952 and 1953. Reed coached the team to the Midwestern Athletic Association Championship three times and once to the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. Reed also coached the men's and women's track teams and the men's basketball team in his time at Lincoln University, coaching a total of 93 All-Americans. Reed also served as the athletic director from 1957-1980. In 1985, Lincoln University named its football stadium and track in his honor. Reed passed away in 2000. We remember and celebrate Reed's legacy as a Gopher and beyond as he inspired and led many student-athletes to successful careers and lives beyond sport. Reed paved the way for all student-athletes as a true trailblazer at the University of Minnesota.
Black History Home
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