Laramie, Wyo. (AP) — Fourteen black athletes accused of violating their coach’s rule by wearing black armbands were dismissed from the University of Wyoming football team by the school’s trustees early Saturday.
The announcement was made after an all-night emergency session was called by the coaches.
Six of the black players — including tri-captain Joe Williams, a tailback — had been expected to be as starters against Brigham Young University.
Wyoming, with a 4-0 season record, had been considered a good bet for the Western Athletic Conference championship this year.
Members of the black student alliance at the university have been wearing armbands this week in protest against BYU, which, says the alliance is “inhuman and racist.”
The black group has criticized the control of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over BYU. The Mormon church limits how far Negroes can advance in church hierarchy.
This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.
