Louisville pioneer in sports equality remembered

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A Louisville pioneer of integration in athletics is being remembered.

As the Central High School Yellowjackets prepared for the 3-A Football State Championship against Belfry on Saturday, they honored former Central coach and student-athlete Robert Graves. Graves, who lost his battle with Parkinson's disease, played a big part in building the school's storied success.

Inside Central High Friday, the student body held a celebration. For the 7th time in the last 10 years, the Yellowjackets were in the State Football Championship.

Graves' passion and heart for the school was easy to see. "He was all about the kids," said his brother Keith Jones.

First, as a student-athlete, Graves played football, basketball, threw two no-hitters in baseball, and ran track. He helped Central win two National Championships in 1955 and 1956 when high school basketball was still segregated.

He played college basketball and Jones said he had offers in pro baseball, but because he was already married with children, he chose to stay in the community and coach.

"He was a pioneer for this school and this community and for this city and for the state of Kentucky in basketball, leading Central through some of its most difficult years," said Ryan Bringhurst, Central High Athletic Director. "He knew so much about basketball and so much about how to motivate students."

Jones said his brother absolutely loved his players. "You had some kids that didn't have fathers in their lives, so he was a father to a lot of his kids," Jones said.

Under Graves, Central won two state basketball titles in 1969 and 1974.

"Then he was the coach through all of those really difficult years with busing." said Bringhurst.

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According to Jones, his brother had some turbulent times on the court. "Robert was a controversial coach, they say he started trouble, but he just wanted things to be fair," said Jones.

Jones said Graves was passionate about his players at a time when some believed officiating calls went against black coaches with all black teams. Graves started the legal effort that eventually got more black referees into the game.

In 20 years of coaching, even after a win, Graves still pushed players to be better. His granddaughter Shelby Lockhart said it's something he preached everywhere he went. "There's always room for improvement there's always room for growth, so that's what he would want the students at Central High School to know, aim for the stars," said Lockhart. "His work is still living and thriving."

Robert Graves died of a massive stroke on Wednesday at age 79. His funeral is Tuesday.

Former University of Kentucky coaching legend Joe B. Hall said he was sad to hear of Grave's passing. Hall said at one time, the two had a conversation about Graves possibly coming to UK to be an assistant, but, he said he knew Graves' heart was with the students of Central.

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