Isaac, James

James Isaac

Page by Bob Leathers

1950 January 21: James Lonnie Isaac, African American, was born in Monroe, Louisiana to Clinton "Dewey" Sr. and Louise "Lovie" (Watkins) Isaac

1960's: James moved with his family to Hanna, Wyoming in the early 1960's.

1969 October 17: Fourteen African American football players: Jerry Berry, Tony Gibson, John Griffin, Lionel Grimes, Mel Hamilton, Ron Hill, Willie Hysaw, Earl Lee, Tony McGee, Don Meadows, Ivie Moore, Joe Williams, Ted Williams and James Isaac asked the coach Lloyd Eaton for permission to wear black armbands in the game against Brigham Young University as a protest against the LDS church’s ban of black people from the priesthood in the church. The coach refused to let the players wear armbands and kicked them off the team. The university president and political leaders backed the coach's actions. The incident ended in litigation and was disastrous for the University of Wyoming football program and for James Isaac.

1976 December 25: James Issac, an African American, was an excellent athlete for the Hanna-Elk Mountain High School. He played all the available sports - football, basketball and track. His efforts earned him a full ride scholarship to the University of Wyoming to play football. After the Black 14 incident James left the University of Wyoming and attended Dakota Wesleyan in South Dakota. He played football and graduated from there. James died an early death after a life ending dispute with his wife in San Bernardino, California and was buried in Rawlins, Wyoming cemetery.

James Isaac

James Isaac. Hanna High School Picture (Ancestory.com)

Charles Isaac - James Isaac's brother - is pictured below.

Clinton Isaac. Hanna High School Picture (Ancestory.com)

1968

1968 James and Clint Isaac Hanna High Football (Hanna Miner)