Hadley Park in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

National Negro High School Basketball Tournament

Kean Hall

— 1945-1964 —

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, May 4, 2020

1. National Negro High School Basketball Tournament Kean Hall Marker

Inscription.

In 1929 Charles H. Williams established the National Negro High School Basketball Tournament, which was sponsored by the historically black Hampton Normal and Agriculture Institute (now Hampton University) in Virginia. In 1945, under President Walter S. Davis and Athletic Director Henry A. Kean, Sr. the tournaments moved to Tennessee A&I State College. Between 1945 and 1953, the games were played at both A&I and Pearl High School. From 1953 to 1964, the tournaments were played in A&I's new Kean's Little Garden. For almost two decades, Tennessee A&I State University hosted this foremost basketball tournament for African-American players from across the South and the Midwest.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 211.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 36° 10.018′ N, 86° 49.646′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Hadley Park. Marker is on John A. Merritt Boulevard west of 33rd Avenue North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37209, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Lt William McBryar, Buffalo Soldier (within shouting distance of this marker); TSU's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tennessee State University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iconography of the TSU Olympian (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coach Ed Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Tennessee State University (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Tennessee State University (approx. 0.4 miles away); John A. Merritt (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2020

2. National Negro High School Basketball Tournament Kean Hall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 634 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 3, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2. submitted on April 8, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.