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I was sad to learn of the passing of former @VandyMBB student manager Paul Wilson. When Perry Wallace desegregated SEC basketball in the late 60s, it was Paul more than any other who attempted to be an ally in the most hostile environments (1/8)
Paul grew up in Jackson, MS & anticipated how dangerous Vandy's trip to Oxford would be in 1968, the 1st time a Black player would take the court at Ole Miss. He arranged to be Perry's roommate at the Holiday Inn & called on high school friends studying at Ole Miss to help (2/8)
Paul asked several friends to occupy seats behind the @vucommodores bench, attempting to create a buffer zone of support for Perry. It was a noble gesture, but didn't work. From the moment Perry took the court, he was subjected to taunts & threats from others in the crowd (3/8)
At one point in 1st half, Perry took an intentional elbow to the face from a UM player. Dizzied, bleeding; refs don't call a foul. At next dead ball, Wilson jumps off the bench to offer Perry a helping hand and towel. Walks with him across the court toward Vandy locker room (4/8)
Meanwhile, the crowd is standing and cheering Perry's injury. As they approach the tunnel, Wilson & Wallace are spit on, have Cokes dumped on them. Wilson told me he was shaking with rage at the actions of his fellow Mississippians, but not surprised (5/8)
While many others never acknowledged the racism Perry experienced, Paul offered empathy, decency & friendship. After achieving success in business, he endowed 2 basketball scholarships in honor of his @VanderbiltU experience - but wanted neither named after him (6/8)
I got to know Paul while writing STRONG INSIDE when he shared his memories of those days. Just interviewed him recently about a new scholarship he endowed honoring the players of the 60s, including Perry. This morning, Facebook reminded me today would have been his birthday (7/8)
Paul Wilson was a good, kind and humble man who operated behind the scenes to try to make life better for other people. Rest in Peace, Paul (8/8) https://vucommodores.com/black-and-gold-for-life-paul-wilson/
