The Dynasty Begins (1957)
In 1957, the unseeded Tennessee State University Tigers had four upsets on the way to their first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament Finals. Their most important victory was over the #7 seed Southeastern Oklahoma State in a 19-point blowout (92-73), giving the school and Coach John McLendon their first NAIA Championship. With the win, Tennessee State became the first historically black institution to win a collegiate basketball national This was just the beginning.
The Champions Return (1958)
The 1958 Men’s NAIA Division I Basketball Tournament saw defending champions Tennessee State return as the #3 seed. The team’s closest win came in the championship finals against the #1 seed and tournament favorite Western Illinois (85-73). With the win, the Tigers became only the third team to have back-to-back championships. That year Coach McLendon was selected Coach of the Year, while player Dick Barnett received the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award.
The First to 3-Peat! (1959)
With back-to-back NAIA Championships, Tennessee State entered the 1959 Men’s Division 1 Basketball Tournament as the top seed. The team had an opportunity to realize a feat no other team had yet accomplished – win a third consecutive title. TSU breezed through the tournament beating Pacific Lutheran (97-87) to capture the title. It was the first time any school had won three tournaments in a row. Barnett received his second MVP Award.