More to the Picture, Part 3: “After College What?”

Coach Horrell with Strode, Robinson, Washington, Bartlett, and Wynne

Now that I’ve covered the photo (Part 1) and the occasion (Part 2), I’ll share the wonderful column J. Cullen Fentress wrote in that same day’s edition of the Eagle.

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DOWN IN FRONT

With J. CULLEN FENTRESS

COMMENDABLE SPIRIT

The college football ace invariably asks himself the question, “After college what?”

Performing on the nation’s grids Saturday after Saturday for one, two, three years, the great college pigskinner packs the spectators into the bowls, stadiums and ordinary stands. As a rule, said spectators seldom give a thought to whether or not the college star has a good job waiting for him after he completes his work. Or for that matter, whether or not said ace is in a position to stay in school and complete his education.

The college star, therefore, is invariably sportdom’s forgotten man.

Not so, thank goodness, in Los Angeles, as of last week, for a group of business, professional and civic leaders have banded themselves together to do something for the gridiron greats of this city.

They began their laudable program last Thursday night with a banquet for six University of California at Los Angeles athletes and their coaches and told them in effect that they wanted to be of assistance to them, possibly to these lads great surprise.

It is a generally admitted fact that the presence of the Washingtons, Strodes, Robinsons, Bartletts, Wynnes, Bradleys, et al on the UCLA campus has done more to make the road of the Negro athlete easier to travel than a thousand sermons, proclamations, or treatises. They play two or three hours of a Saturday afternoon and sportsmanship and fair play take the driver’s seat for a long, long time.

It is to the credit of these interested citizens—Paul R. Williams, John L. Hill, Norman O. Houston, Dr. F.R. Whiteman, Frank Harvey and Rev. Clayton D. Russell—that they have undertaken a work that undoubtedly merits the support of the citizenry of Los Angeles.

Because of the fact that there will be more Kennys, Woodrows, etc., the group may find itself compelled to become a permanent one and fill a big place on L.A.’s “must” agenda.

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I love the column, and I think today—even 85 years later—the question “After college, what?” still very much applies…and not even just for athletes!