"Shine lights on your thinking versus thinking to shine your lights;
that changes everything."
-- Claude Johnson
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Claude Johnson
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Claude Johnson To Appear Tonight
On Knicks Post-Game Show!
10:30PM, March 17, 2006 (St. Patrick's Day)
Live Broadcast on MSG Network,
Simulcast on 1050 ESPN Radio!
With Host Brandon Tierney of ESPN
Following New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
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(March 17, 2006 - Greenwich, CT) Black Fives founder Claude Johnson will appear as a guest tonight on the New York Knicks Post-Game Show following the NBA basketball game between the Knicks and the Detroit Pistons.
The program, which airs on the MSG Network and is simulcast on 1050 ESPN Radio, is broadcast live from the Play By Play Sports Bar and Restaurant located inside Madison Square Garden and is hosted by energetic ESPN radio personality Brandon Tierney.
Johnson and Tierney will discuss ...
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Reprints of vintage newspaper articles involving basketball teams from the Black Fives Era.
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RENAISSANCE WINS, 34-25
Negro Five Beats Oshkosh for National Pro Title
(New York Times, March 28, 1939)
CHICAGO, March 28 (AP). The New York Renaissance, smooth-working Negro five, defeated the Oshkosh, Wis., All-Stars tonight, 34-25, for the national professional basketball championship.
 The margin was characteristic of the Rens' decisive march to the title in a field of eleven teams. The Harlem Globe Trotters gave the new champions their closest game, 27-23, in a semi-final.
The decision over Oshkosh gave the Rens a season's record of 110 victories in 117 games.
Editor's Note: In 1939 the Oshkosh All-Stars were the champions of the National Basketball League, the pre-eminent pro basketball league in the country, which did not allow African American players or teams in its ranks.
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April Madness? Black Basketball and Lent
In the early days of basketball, the Christian origins of the game (in the YMCA) spawned an unwritten commandment that games were forbidden to be played between Ash Wednesday and Easter -- the 40-day period known as Lent (this year, March 1 to April 16).
The Lenten Season, as it was called, symbolized solidarity with Jesus, who, according to Biblical accounts, went into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting, soul-searching, and repentance before starting his ministry.
In contrast, the fun, frolic, dancing, and friendly hostilities enjoyed by players and spectators at basketball games was considered highly inappropriate during this solemn time.
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This guideline was particularly strict among African American basketball teams that were eager to model the highest standards of the game in every possible way. Furthermore, many early black teams like the St. Christopher Club had strong links the churches.
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"Every noble work is at first impossible."
-- Thomas Carlysle
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Black Fives And Nike??
A flurry of recent activity has industry insiders convinced that Black Fives and Nike are teaming up. Are they?
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Black Fives
Memorabilia Display Planned
At
Madison Square Garden
The display of New York Rens memorabilia is planned to coincide with the New York Knicks' Legends Night scheduled for March 29, 2006 (vs. Boston Celtics).
Please stay tuned for
more details.
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Johnson To
Guest Lecture
At University of Pittsburgh
Sports
History Class!
Will teach Rob Ruck's
"History of Sports" class at
Pitt
on April 11 as a special guest of the respected scholar, historian, author, and filmmaker.
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Black Fives Announces
"Live Your Dream"
Seminar Series
Addressing
Personal Growth
For Leaders!
Seminars are planned in
New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Oakland, and Atlanta.
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Retail Stores and
Corporate Accounts:
Order Your Black Fives
2007 Calendars Now!
The deadline for wholesale orders is March 15, 2006!
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