Xavier to honor Olympian Douglas at Crosstown Classic

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is bringing back Herb Douglas for another recognition this weekend in celebration of Black History Month.
     
Douglas — the oldest living African-American Olympic medalist and recipient of an honorary degree from the university in 2011 — is the inaugural winner of the Herb Douglas Award, which celebrates student-athletes whose post-Xavier careers best exemplify the university's mission.
     
Douglas, who is 95 years old, will be honored at halftime of the XULA-Dillard men's basketball game, part of the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's. The women's game will start at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center (7900 Stroelitz St., zip 70125), followed by the men at 5.
     
"I really enjoy my talks with Mr. Douglas," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn, "and it is great to have him back on campus. He has some solid stories, and our student-athletes will have an opportunity to spend time with him."
     
Douglas won bronze in the long jump at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. Six years earlier, Douglas, William Morton, Clarence Doak and Howard Mitchell ran the 440-yard relay in 41.7 seconds to make XULA the first HBCU (historically black college or university) to win a relay race at the famed Penn Relays. Douglas left XULA after his sophomore year to return home and work in his father's business during World War II. He continued to train at home and competed occasionally before winning the 1945 AAU national championship in the long jump. He also won AAU indoor championships in 1947 and 1949.
     
Douglas, who received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in his hometown, had a lengthy career as a business executive. During the 1960s he was named a vice-president for wine and spirits importer Schieffelin & Somerset Co., whose brands include Hennessy, the world's most popular cognac.
     
Although he is nearly a centenarian, Douglas remains active. He tours the country to screen the documentary "The Renaissance Period of the African American in Sports," which he co-produced with Robert Lott. Douglas and Lott will screen the film Tuesday at the University of Texas in Austin. The film won a gold medal at the 2016 Philadelphia Film Festival.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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