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Syracuse travels to Maryland this Saturday to play the Terrapins for the first time since 1994. The Orange is looking to inch closer to six wins, while the Terps are only a win away from bowling in December. However, this game will mean more to some than just bowl implications.
For those who do not know the story, Wilmeth Sidat-Singh was a football and basketball player for the Syracuse Orangemen back in the 1930s. Nicknamed the “Syracuse Walking Dream,” he anchored the football team to a 3-0 start in 1937, including a big win against Cornell. However, once the team arrived in Maryland the following week, the Terps did not allow Sidat-Singh to play because of a news report claiming he was African-American instead of Indian like most believed.
During that era, black players could play in the north, but not when they traveled to southern schools. Maryland refused to play against the Orange if Sidat-Singh was to take the field. The school was very adamant with their decision and SU conceded to Maryland’s wishes, sitting him for the game and losing 13-0. The following year Sidat-Singh got his revenge inside Archbold Stadium, crushing Maryland 53-0.
Because the NFL did not allow black players in the league, Wilmeth went on to play some professional basketball before deciding to train for World War II. He went to train with the Tuskegee Airmen but died in a plane crash in Lake Huron while fighting to defend the same country who would not let him play a down in Maryland. He is looked at as a pioneer and a hero. SU acknowledged his triumphs by retiring and putting his basketball jersey into the rafters in 2005.
This Saturday, the University of Maryland will have a ceremony on the field of Byrd Stadium to honor Sidat-Singh and show a video on the screen of his accomplishments including the disappointing demand of Sidat-Singh’s benching. Members of Wilmeth’s family will be in attendance as the university has set aside a suite for them.
Some say the reason UMD is now deciding to admit what they did in 1937 was wrong is because Kumea Shorter-Gooden, the chief diversity officer at Maryland, is a member of Sidat-Singh’s extended family. Whatever the reasons may be, it is time people were made aware of this story.
It took 76 years, but finally Maryland is trying to make amends for their actions on that sad day in Baltimore.
Posted by: Zephan Mayell
7 responses to “Long Time Coming: Syracuse/Maryland Honors Wronged SU Footballer”
Wow…..Losing your life to defend your country that would not defend your right to participate in sports…WOW…..What else can you say!
Singh is one of the least know stories in Syracuse history. Its good that his memory is being honored at Maryland but more needs to be done at Syracuse to make this history widely known . Good story Fizz.
Sorry, but a better or the only story would have SU screwing UMD and saying no to them. Either he plays or SU won’t play!! But at that time I guess “balls” were not in fashion over such an injustice!! Smells like tea party like crap!! God bless Sidat-Singh a true CUSE hero!! Even before the CUSE was CUSE!!
Do not forget the kids of PSABUSEDU!! The NCAA did!!
one of too many stories that SU does not celebrate enough. SU was a pioneer in many regards when it comes to racial diversity. It is something that is overlooked or taken for granted. In some ways I can understand the University taking an understated stance; why pat yourself on the back for doing what is right and should be done but on the other hand, pat yourself on the back for doing and in many cases, doing it first, or best.
Terry, you are one tough man, to the core, but I thought the same you did. The team should not have played. Still, I have difficulty coming down too hard on them. In part it was the times they lived in. Not an excuse, but easy to say from our modern perspective.
I agree with you Malone. SU really had no choice at that time period, but still it should of happened. Ernie and the team dealt with the Texans too in 1959 almost a 1/4 of a century down the road!! They bit the bullet and played and the CUSE tradition grows on!!
Quote from Iron Mike Ditka,” If you live in the past, you die in the past”.
My 4th grade teacher once said that “you learn from your mistakes”!!! It took many decades, but finally we learned from our mistakes. Ditka has always been a dionsoar, but still well said his quote for an extinct reptile like him-lol!!