The Crimson and Gold: Football and Integration in Athens, Georgia

by Mark Clegg

The Crimson and Gold is a comprehensive narrative detailing the struggle for integration in Athens, Georgia, in the context of highly competitive football as experienced by athletes, their fellow students, teachers, journalists, and school administrators at (predominantly White) Athens High School and (African American) Burney-Harris High School and eventually Clarke Central High School—formed after the two legacy schools were forced to merge. The proud sports traditions of two high schools—both adored by their respective communities—eventually become inextricably linked with the larger battle for equal rights during the tumultuous 1960s and early 1970s.

In addition to the relatively well-known stories of the University of Georgia’s integration in 1961, Mark Clegg details “Freedom of Choice” transfers in the early 1960s, desegregation of businesses like the iconic Varsity restaurant, the violence perpetrated by the local chapter of the KKK, the first athletic competitions between Burney-Harris and Athens High, the resistance by large portions of both the Black and White communities to the phasing out of their beloved schools, and the tense and often violent first several years of Clarke Central’s existence. Finally, Clegg recounts the Athens High football team’s remarkable state title run—in its last year of existence in 1969.

Clegg conducted extensive interviews with a number of Black and White Athenians who lived through the era, including Horace King, Richard Appleby, and Clarence Pope (Burney-Harris and Clarke Central football players who were three of the first five Black football players at UGA); former Athens mayor and Athens and Clarke Central High School football player Doc Eldridge; current DeKalb County CEO and former Georgia labor commissioner (and Burney-Harris and Clarke Central football player) Michael Thurmond; the first Black scholarship athlete at UGA and Athens High School alumnus Maxie Foster; and local writer, journalist, and publisher (Flagpole magazine) Pete McCommons.

Genres: History

280 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2024

Reviews

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived these experiences. The book is accurate.

[Eve Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heavily enjoyed reading about Athens history. As a history nerd, I loved being able to pin point locations and make connections to Athens today. I wish this book focused more Clarke Central team that actually won the state title. For 20+ pages to details how the racist coach got his all white team to get to the state championship and TIE. While that is important to the story as a whole, I think it would be much more satisfying to hear more about the Clarke team that actually won. Why are we spending chapters detailing a racist coach. While he did reach success with his football team, what about the people after him who reached the goal he was never able to.
I enjoyed the beginning and end as it detailed the fight for integration; however, the middle lost me with all the football talk. I love football, but I’m not sure every detail contributed to the story. There were so many names it was hard to keep track when focusing on the football teams.

I gave this 4 stars because small local author (YAY) and I loved the history of it. If you live in Clarke county this is a have to read ( I would just skip chapter 5 &6 lowkey)

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crimson and Gold is an excellent history of a transformative period that led our schools, communities, and nation to finally achieve our being the kind of people our Declaration of Independence called for in both words and, finally, deeds. Mark Clegg is clearly a talented writer, and that, along with the extensive research he conducted, resulted in a fascinating story told well. I was in high school during this era, though not in Athens. Still, much of what Clegg wrote about happened across the South, including at my high school. I came to Athens as a college student in 1970 and also worked as a news reporter for a local radio station, so I covered some of these events. Later, I worked for the Clarke County School District and came to know many of the people who populate this story. I can attest to the accuracy of Clegg's reporting. Even if you live far from Athens, the story offers a fascinating look at a time of critical change in our country and is certainly worth reading.

[Patricia Vicary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book about so much more than football, Mark Clegg's The Crimson and Gold brings to life the people of Athens, Georgia through the decades before, during, and after integration. This well-researched work immediately drew me in with its combination of history, sociology, and sport. Introducing the reader to a fascinating cast of characters, Clegg masterfully weaves the threads of their stories together to relate the true-life tale of an extraordinary time in American history.

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good history of the integration of the public schools and the University of Georgia in Athens, GA with a focus on football. Well written and an easy read. I have lived in Athens for 45 years and have heard much of the story, both in print and orally. Also over the years I have known and met many of the people in the book. this is a good account of the events.

[Brianne Guzewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5 stars. Really neat walk through local history.

[Mark Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I don't say so myself ;-)

[Joseph Siskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about race and sports in a small town.