1956 Crispus Attucks Team

The Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School Basketball Team of 1956 became Indiana’s first undefeated state championship team. The state tournament began in 1911 so it took 45 years for a team to accomplish the difficult task of winning every game and being crowned the state’s best.

In 1955, Crispus Attucks High School won the state championship with a sparkling 30-1 record and the 1956 team came back to enable the school to win back to back championships with a 31-0 record. No other high school in Indiana was ever so dominating in Indiana’s game, basketball.

In 1942 black and parochial schools were finally admitted membership in the IHSAA, which meant such schools could particpate in the state tournaments. It was quickly learned that it was difficult for Crispus Attucks to build a regular schedule because many schools would not play them due to the racial environment. The school was built in 1927 with a combination of stage/gymnasium with a seating capacity of 800 spectators. It was necessary for the team to play all road games and they could have easily competed in a northern Indiana conference, as the 1956 team played Fort Wayne Central, South Bend Riley, South Ben Adams, Michigan City and Gary Wallace during the season.

It is thought the 1956 team’s success of winning the IHSAA state tournament undefeated was first by an all African American high school team in the United States. Coupled with the school’s accomplishments in 1955, the racial barriers within the Indianapolis public schools and around the state continued to melt away.

The legendary coach Ray Crowe became the school’s head coach in 1950 and he proceeded to build one of the most talked about dynasties in high school basketball in the Hoosier State. The noted disciplinarian established high expectations for the student athletes in the classroom as well as on the court and the players responded by meeting every challenge.

The 1956 Crispus Attucks Tigers were definitely a unique team and captured the imagination of hoop fans statewide and nationally.