Integration of MSU Athletics

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, integrating Mississippi State’s athletic programs became a force for social change. A 1968 letter to the editor reflected one student’s frustration with the segregation of the school’s athletics, not out of moral outrage but due to Mississippi State’s humiliating defeat to Louisiana Tech. The student attributed the team’s shortcomings to the university’s refusal to recruit black athletes. This perspective led some fans who may have previously opposed integration to support it in hopes of staying competitive.

Shortly after this article was published, Mississippi State signed Robert Bell, the university’s second black athlete. Bell’s arrival marked a new chapter in the university's racial integration. However, when he arrived, he encountered a campus still largely hostile to black students. Reflecting on his experience, Bell noted that his social life “was the only thing not really up to par.” He struggled to connect with the small Black community on campus and felt isolated from his white peers. Despite these challenges, Bell found community and support through two groups: the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and his football team. Athletics provided a unifying cause, helping to bridge the gap between black and white students and offering Bell a sense of belonging on an otherwise challenging campus.

The success of integrating athletics was pivotal in reshaping MSU’s culture with figures like Frank Dowsing. Frank Dowsing was the first black football player in Mississippi State history. He became so well known and well liked among the student body that he became the first black student elected to Mr. MSU.

Integration within Mississippi State was largely driven by the athletic programs. From the “Game of Change”  which challenged segregationist norms and showcased the unifying power of sports, to the trailblazing black athletes like Robert Bell and Frank Dowsing, athletics played a transformative role in breaking down racial barriers on campus. By offering a platform for integration and inclusion, athletics provided the momentum needed for Mississippi State to move towards an integrated campus.