The College of Idaho will rename its basketball arena to honor NBA legend and a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, Elgin Baylor. The dedication ceremony will take place at half-time of the men’s 7pm basketball game on February 21.
Elgin Baylor, an NBA Hall of Famer, attended The College of Idaho in 1954, a time of deep societal division. His presence at the College was groundbreaking — not only for his unparalleled athletic talent, but also for the progress he symbolized in integrating college athletics. That year, Baylor and five other Black students joined the college’s basketball team, marking a pivotal step in providing opportunities for players of all backgrounds.
As a young man from segregated Washington, D.C., Baylor found at The College of Idaho his first experiences of an integrated community. For the first time in his life, he attended integrated classes, lived in shared dormitories, and ate in the same dining halls as his white classmates. In his autobiography, Hang Time, Baylor recalled, “It’s as if I have wandered into a private and exclusive members-only club, except that rather than feel intimidated and excluded the way I do in DC, I feel invited.”
Baylor’s legacy extends beyond the court. As the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, he became the first Black player to hold that distinction. Known as the Lakers’ first superstar, he redefined the game with his athleticism, creativity and scoring prowess, paving the way for the future of professional basketball. Among his many achievements, he was the first NBA player to score 70 points in a game, held the record for the most points in an NBA Finals game for over 40 years, and became one of the first Black NBA coaches and general managers.
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