Towson University trailblazer returns to tell his story, witnesses a 'sea change'

By Kyle Hobstetter on February 23, 2022

As James Newton ‘68 walked onto the SECU Arena floor, the steps he took in his clean, white, low-top Chuck Taylors echoed through the empty building.

Newton, who played for the Tigers’ men’s basketball team from 1965–68, couldn’t help but show his amazement as he looked over an arena built on land that wasn’t even part of campus when he was a student.

During his first two years on the team, the Tigers played at Wiedefeld Gymnasium, which was located where Van Bokkelen Hall and the Media Center are now present.

Being on a basketball court—regardless of where on campus—brought back memories.

“I did a lot of growing up here,” Newton says. “I graduated high school at 16, and I was just a kid. Now it’s very different than what it was. We didn’t have this magnificent facility, that’s for sure.”

On Monday, Feb. 7, Newton returned to visit his old campus and share his story with his No. 1 fan—his son Jason, who is a news anchor for WBAL, Baltimore’s NBC affiliate.

To celebrate Black History Month, Jason did a story that showcased his father and teammate, Maceo Dailey, who were the first two Black players on the then-Towson State University basketball team.

“I guess it’s just so nice to look at how much this place has changed to now," James Newton says with a smile. "It’s a sea change.”

TU has a rich basketball history dating back to this time period, which includes the likes of former NBA player Gary Neal ‘07—now coaching at nearby Calvert Hall—and Tiger Hall of Famers Kurk Lee ‘90 and Bobby Washington ‘86, who passed away in January.

For Jason, he wanted to share how his dad was a trailblazer and how important James was to the history of Towson University.

“I emailed my dad and I said, ‘Listen, we’re getting ready for Black History Month, and I have a feeling there’s some Black history in our family, and perhaps you’re the holder of it,’” Jason recalls. “It was funny, because he answered a lot of questions, that for his 44-year-old son, you would’ve thought I’d already known.”

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One of the biggest things Jason learned was that James left the basketball team his senior year because the mathematics major had a class that conflicted with practice, so he chose to focus on his studies.

That decision turned out pretty well for him. Since graduating with a degree in mathematics, James has had a rewarding career as an educator, teaching at Baltimore Polytechnic High School and later as a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.

“I had such great mathematics professors here,” James says. “They helped me to have a frame to build on for the career I ended up having.”

During his visit, James also met with Juwan Gray, forward and captain of the men’s basketball team. The two sat and talked for a little bit, and Gray provided James with a current TU basketball shirt.

“It was amazing getting to talk with a piece of history,” Gray says. “Mr. Newton told me he was the only Black male in his entire graduating class. That’s a different barrier than I’ve had to face. The sacrifices he’s made, it’s amazing, because without him, I probably wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today.”

A lot has changed since 1968. Today, Towson University is recognized as a national leader in inclusive excellence.

The minority student population maintains the same graduation rate as the entire student body (71%). TU’s African American student graduation rate (73%) far exceeds the national average of 45%.

TU also welcomed its most diverse first-year student class in its 155-year history this fall. Nearly 60% of new students identified as a racial or ethnic minority—a diversity that reflects the state’s growth. According to the United States Census, more than half of the Maryland population identifies as a racial or ethnic minority, making it one of the first minority–majority states on the East Coast.

In the center of campus, TU is establishing a tribute to the historically Black student organizations that debuted on campus during Newton’s time as a student. TU plans to install a physical tribute to the nine members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at Chapman Quad — named for TU’s first dean of minority affairs, Julius Chapman.

TU Athletics earned the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association’s 2021 Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

“One of the biggest differences is just the diversity on campus,” James says. “I was the only Black male in the graduating class of 1968, and that will never happen again. That’s such a big change, and though society still has a long way to go, I think Towson has progressed admirably.”

As James and Jason wrapped up their interview, they couldn’t help but laugh as they took turns shooting around on the SECU Arena floor with Gray.

“I think we bridged a gap today that I don't know would've ever happened before,” Jason says.  “I think it showed the appreciation from today's guys who probably had no clue what that would even look like.

“To be appreciated by the university, it means a lot to both of us.”