East Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Game of Change
Jenison Field House - March 15, 1963
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, December 29, 2024
1. Game of Change Marker
On March 15, 1963, Jenison Field House hosted an NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game between Mississippi State and Loyola Chicago. The "Game of Change" is one of the most memorable sporting events in the civil rights movement. It served as a vehicle to challenge racial segregation in athletics and helped to forever change college basketball and advance civil rights in this country.
The Mississippi State team had to overcome unwritten laws that prohibited them from playing integrated teams. The team snuck out of town under the cover of darkness before the Mississippi governor could serve papers preventing the team from traveling to East Lansing. Loyola Chicago, which featured a roster with four African-American starters, eventually went on to win the national championship by toppling two-time defending champion Cincinnati in the title game.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 15, 1963.
Location. 42° 43.831′ N, 84° 29.362′ W. Marker is in East Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. It is at the intersection of Kalamazoo
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Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan and in Greater Lansing. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Military Science (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spartan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); College Field (about 600 feet away); Secchia Stadium (about 700 feet away); W.J. Beal Botanical Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michigan Agricultural College World War I Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Botanical Laboratory (approx. Ό mile away); Walter Adams Field (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Lansing.
Also see . . . Game of Change.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, December 29, 2024
2. Game of Change Marker
The Game of Change was a college basketball game played between the Loyola Ramblers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on March 15, 1963, during the second round of the 1963 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, at Jenison Fieldhouse in East Lansing, Michigan. Taking place in the midst of the American civil rights movement, the game between the racially integrated Loyola team and the all-white Mississippi State team is remembered as a milestone in the desegregation of college basketball.(Submitted on January 1, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, December 29, 2024
3. Jenison Field House
Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
