What is “The Game of Change?”

March 5th, 2025

“The Game of Change” refers to a historic basketball game played between Mississippi State University (MSU) and Loyola University Chicago in 1963. The game became a symbol of racial integration in college basketball and has significant cultural and social implications.

The Context:

In 1963, college basketball was still deeply segregated. Mississippi had laws and customs that were overtly racist, and teams in the state were all-white. However, Loyola University Chicago had a diverse team, with several African American players, including Les Hunter, Jerry Harkness, and Vic Rouse.

Mississippi State, under coach James “Babe” McCarthy, had a strong team but was caught in a tense political situation. The state of Mississippi was not in favor of allowing integrated teams, and as a result, the Mississippi State team was prohibited by the state government from playing against teams with African American players. For years, the state government enforced this policy, and teams were restricted from participating in postseason play if they faced integrated teams.

The Game:

The “Game of Change” came about when Mississippi State’s basketball team, despite the state government’s resistance, defied orders to play against Loyola Chicago in the 1963 NCAA Tournament. The MSU administration was under heavy pressure from the state government, but the team and coach McCarthy chose to go ahead with the game.

In a covert and highly risky move, the team traveled to East Lansing, Michigan, for the game. The game itself was a momentous occasion for both the civil rights movement and college basketball history.

Loyola won the game 61–51, but it wasn’t just the result that mattered. The fact that Mississippi State’s team played in the game — and that the state allowed the team to participate despite the political tensions — was a major milestone in the integration of college sports.

The Significance:

Cultural and Social Impact: The game highlighted the deep divisions in the United States over race and segregation during the Civil Rights era. Mississippi State’s participation in the game was a quiet but meaningful stand against segregation in sports.
Integration in College Sports: The 1963 game is seen as one of the early moments in the desegregation of college basketball. While the game didn’t immediately change all of college sports, it was an important step forward for racial integration in athletics.
The “Game of Change” Legacy: The game is now remembered as a pivotal event in the history of college basketball, and it reflects a moment when sports helped bridge a gap in societal issues, particularly concerning race and civil rights.

In short, “The Game of Change” was not just a basketball game — it was a landmark event in the civil rights movement, showing how sports can play a role in social change.

Social Media:

I saw a comment on a social media post about this game that sparked my interest, as it read “My grandfather, Dean Colvard, was the president of Mississippi State at the time. Many Mississippians were threatening terrible things if they had agreed to play Loyola. They had to sneak out of the state. A lot of racist and awful folks around back then. Some of those people appear to still be alive unfortunately.”