First African-American to sign with NBA team, Hunter, Dies at 86

Former Dillard University women's assistant coach Harold Hunter recently died at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 86.

During his time at Dillard, Coach Hunter was instrumental in the development of the athletics program. From 1981-1986 he was the Coordinator for the Intramural Athletic Program and also served as the assistant women's basketball coach.

"I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Hunter last summer and he was proud of his accomplishments at Dillard," said Gulf Coast Athletic Conference President and Dillard Director of Athletics Kiki Baker Barnes. "We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing."

"I worked with him for quite a few years since both teams travel together," said John Brown, former head men's basketball coach at Dillard. "I also took a coaching and officiating class at Tennessee State University where Coach Hunter was our instructor," he added.

While coaching at the University, he assisted head coach Mary Teamer as they guided the Devilettes to the only Final Four NAIA National Tournament appearance for Dillard University women's basketball in 1984 where the team finished in third place in the coveted tournament.

During the '83-'84 and '84-'85 seasons, the Devilettes achieved two Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball championships as well as two NAIA District 30 women's basketball championships.

In six seasons, the coaching duo compiled a 94-31 record at Dillard.

"Coach Harold was like my father," said former Devilette basketball player Jackie Franklin McKinney. "He took care of us, was always honest and up front, and he always gave us positive outlooks on life."

Hunter was a real pioneer in professional and college basketball, and was the first African-American to sign an NBA contract when he dotted the line for the Washington Capitols on April 26, 1950.

Although he never played a game in the NBA since the Capitols cut him during training camp, he later became the first black man to coach the U.S. Olympics team and the first African-American coach to help lead both men's and women's teams to the NAIA national tournament.

Hunter is survived by a son, Harold Jr. and a daughter, Micki. At the time of this story funeral arrangements were pending but are expected to take place March 16 in Tennessee.