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William T. Green/ Adolphus Joseph Lockhart Morris Brown College collection

 Collection
Identifier: aarl023-001

Scope and Contents

The A.J. Lockhart papers document his life as a student and an alumni at Morris Brown College and his particiation in intercollegiate sports organizations.

The collection contains publications and articles about Morris Brown College and various people in Mr. Lockhart encountered during his life.

Dates

  • 1930 - 2000

Biographical / Historical

The professional career of Adolphus J. Lockhart has been punctuated with high athletic acheivements for himself and numerous activities designed to make athletics a meaningful and viable force in the lives of young Black men enrolled in Southern Colleges and Universities.

He earned the Bachlor of Arts degree at Morris Brown College and while there won conference and all star honors in both football and baseball. After graduating from Morris Brown, he matriculated to Cornell University, received the Master of Arts degree and returned to his Alma Marter where he devoted his abilities and energies to the teaching of chemistry and developing a first class, well balanced athletic program at the college.

From 1929 to 1951, Joe Lockhart served Morris Brown College as the Athletic Director. Twice in that span of years, 1930-1932 and 1947-1951, he functioned simultaneously as the baseball coach. During his tenure as Athletic Director, the following accomplishments are noteworthy:

1. Morris Brown College won four S.I.A.C. Championships in baseball. 2. The Athletic program was advanced from three to six sports and produced several S.I.A.C. Championships in basketball, conference and national championships in football. 3. Morris Brown College became the first Black college in the southeast to erect a football stadium.

In 1950, Morris Brown College promoted Mr. Lockhart to the rank of Associate Professor of Chemistry which he held until 1973 when he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus. Though retired from teaching, he was still active in the athlectic program of the institution. He was the official faculty representative for the intercollegiate sports and Chairman of the Athletic Commmittee until 1976.

His impact on athletics extends beyond Morris Brown College through his identification with regional and national sports oriented organizations. He served as President of the Southern Coaches and Officials Association and he was the Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. A position he held for over 24 years. The S.I.A.C. honored him for outstanding service in 1957 as did the National Alumni Association of Morris Brown Collegein 1969. In June 1973, A.J. Lockhart was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, Hall of Fame in Motreal, Canada. He was a charter member of Morris Brown College Athletic Hall of Fame in football and baseball.

Mr. Lockhart, known in athletic circles as "Lock" always was a San Francisco Giants fan. His non athletic affiliations included memberships in several scientific organizations, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Extent

2 Linear Feet

Language

English

Processing Information

Processed by Derek Mosley and Monique Brown, 2023

Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository

Contact:
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta GA 30303
404-613-4032