Archie Wade
Archie Wade | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 2, 1939 Big Cove, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 2025 (aged 85) U.S. |
| Alma mater | Stillman College West Virginia University University of Alabama |
| Occupation(s) | Professor, athlete |
| Known for | First Black faculty member at the University of Alabama |
| Spouse | Jacqueline Wade |
| Children | 5 |
Archie Wade (October 2, 1939 – January 13, 2025) was an African-American professor and athlete who became the first Black faculty member at the University of Alabama.[1] Appointed in 1970, his hiring was a milestone in the university's integration,[2] occurring amid broader efforts to diversify higher education in the United States. Wade was a longtime faculty member in the university's kinesiology department and was later recognized for his contributions with the naming of Wade Hall in his honor.
Early life and education
[edit]Wade was born in Big Cove, Alabama,[3] and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was an accomplished athlete in high school and attended Stillman College on an athletic scholarship,[4] competing in baseball, tennis, and basketball.[4] Wade earned his master's in physical education from West Virginia University,[5] partially funded by a Ford Foundation grant.[4] During this period, he worked at Stillman as an assistant coach in basketball and baseball, while also serving as an instructor.[6][7]
Athletic and coaching career
[edit]While earning his master's degree, Wade coached basketball and baseball at Stillman College and worked as an instructor.[3][8] In 1964, he joined the University of Alabama as an assistant coach.[1][2] The following year, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and played in their minor league system from 1965 to 1967.[9] During this time, he played for the St. Petersburg Cardinals and took part in a 29-inning game in 1966, which was the longest professional baseball game recorded at the time.[3]
After retiring from professional baseball in 1967,[4] Wade returned to coaching at Stillman, where he remained until 1969.
Academic career
[edit]In 1970, Wade was hired by the University of Alabama as a faculty member in what is now the Department of Kinesiology, making him the institution's first Black professor.[10] His appointment came during a period of racial tension,[4] and he faced opposition from segments of the university community.[4][8][11] Over time, he became a respected educator and mentor.[1] He played a role in integrating the university's athletic programs.[4] He assisted legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant in recruiting Black players to the university's football team.[11] His work expanded opportunities for Black student-athletes across the university.[1][2]
Wade earned an Ed.D. in 1974 from the University of Alabama.[2] He remained on the faculty until his retirement in 2000. In 2021, the university renamed the kinesiology department's main building Wade Hall in recognition of his contributions.[8][12]
Personal life
[edit]Wade was married to Jacqueline Wade, and they had five children. He died on January 13, 2025, at the age of 85.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Kornelis, Chris. "Archie Wade, University of Alabama's First Black Faculty Member, Dies at 85". WSJ. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "UA trailblazer and professor Archie Wade dies at 85 - College of Education | The University of Alabama". Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c Cortez, Cameron. "University mourns Archie Wade, first Black faculty member". The Crimson White. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cazers, Gunars; Curtner-Smith, Matthew (March 1, 2013). "Legacy of a Pioneer African American Educator". Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 84 (1): 39–51. doi:10.1080/02701367.2013.762290. ISSN 0270-1367. PMID 23611007.
- ^ "Archie Wade - College of Education | The University of Alabama". education.ua.edu. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ "In Memoriam: Archie Wade, 1939-2025". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. January 22, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ Lea (September 22, 2021). "University of Alabama building named for Stillman alumnus". Stillman College. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Dr. Archie Wade, UA's First Black Faculty Member, Gets Building Renamed in His Honor". The Birmingham Times. October 21, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ "Archie Wade Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ "Dr. Archie Wade remembered as a 'pioneer' for racial equality in athletics and education". CBS 42. January 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Wilson, Haley (October 28, 2021). "UA's first Black faculty member recalls early "lonely period," racial attack, and Bear Bryant". al. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ Bullard, Savannah (November 5, 2021). "University of Alabama's Wade Hall Officially Dedicated". Tuscaloosa Thread. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 1939 births
- 2025 deaths
- People from Madison County, Alabama
- People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- 20th-century American sportsmen
- 20th-century African-American sportsmen
- African-American baseball players
- Stillman Tigers baseball players
- West Virginia University alumni
- University of Alabama alumni
- University of Alabama faculty
- Baseball players from Alabama
- St. Petersburg Cardinals players
- 20th-century African-American academics
- 20th-century American academics
- 21st-century African-American academics
- 21st-century American academics
- American civil rights activists
- Stillman College faculty
- Alabama Crimson Tide football coaches
- Cedar Rapids Cardinals players
- Modesto Reds players