Cleveland Abbott possibly the first African American to enroll and definetly the first black athlete at SDSU. What ever sports were offered at the ime 1912-1916, he participated and excelled. There were no half hearted efforts from this individual. Played both ways in football. Center on offense and linebacker on defense. He went on to coach at Tuskegee and was instrumental in getting the Southern Intercolligate Athletic Conference (SIAC) started. Because of segregation historically black colleges were not even permitted to compete even at the NAIA level. So in order for the hbc institutions to compete he was very instrumental in getting the conference started in the 1930's. This conference is still existence to today.
Cleveland worked through the AAU and coached a long list of women track athletes who participated in the Olympics. He remains a legend among HBC and at Tuskgee though he passed away in 1955. I dont think there has been an person who was as productive as Abbott when you consider all the limitations and barriers he faced in his life time.
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