Trailblazer remembered | Luther Adams’ legacy to be honored at Florida SouthWestern State College
Before the Florida SouthWestern State College men’s basketball team takes to the hardwood for its first home game next week, the life and legacy of a trailblazer will be celebrated.
On Nov. 4 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, Luther James “Luke” Adams II, the first African American student to attend Edison Junior College, now FSW, and the college’s first African American basketball player, will be honored and remembered.
Adams passed away this past July at the age of 76 in Fort Myers. The day after his death, the city of Fort Myers proclaimed Aug. 1 as “Luther James Adams II Day” in recognition of his life and legacy.
“Luther Adams was a trailblazer,” said Dr. Jeff Allbritten, president of FSW, in a release. “His accomplishments reflect the courage it takes to create change, and his legacy is an important part of history in Southwest Florida. We are honored to recognize his contributions and create a lasting tribute in our Suncoast Credit Union Arena.”
The tribute to Adams will begin at 4 p.m., which will feature the unveiling of a new display case recognizing Adams’ place in the history of Edison Junior College and FSW.
Family members will also be in attendance, and be presented a special commemorative photo at center court before tipoff as part of the recognition ceremony.
FSW officials said his time at Edison Junior College helped change the landscape for African American students and athletes in the region.
“My father’s life is not simply a sports story,” said Adams’ son, Rashad Shabazz, in a release. “It is the story of a young Black man from LaBelle who used education, faith, courage and athletic excellence to break through barriers that had been placed before Black students and athletes.”
Adams was a talented player for Edison Junior College where he averaged just about 20 points per game, and more than 20 rebounds per game.
His next stop took him to Texas, where he enrolled at Lamar Tech, now Lamar University, from 1969 to 1971. There, Adams became one of the outstanding players in the university’s history and was named the Southland Conference Most Valuable Player in 1971. He was inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Honor in 2000.
Adams played in 48 games throughout his time at Lamar, scoring nearly 1,000 points and collecting more than 500 rebounds. Adams averaged 19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game during his Cardinal career.
“He stood at the intersection of education, athletics, racial progress and community history,” Shabazz said. “It is the story of a man whose presence helped change what was possible for those who followed him.”
Following his collegiate career, he was drafted in 1971 by both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Carolina Cougars. Adams eventually signed with Carolina after reportedly driving more than 1,000 miles to personally secure a deal with Cougars President Carl Scheer.
Pregame ceremony times include the display case for Adams at 4 p.m. in the area lobby, followed by the center court presentation at 4:45 before the 5 p.m. contest against Albany Technical College.
For tickets, visit fswarena.evenue.net/events/FSWMB.
Suncoast Credit Union Arena is at 13351 FSW Parkway in Fort Myers.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com