QUARTERLY

September 2022

The Homewood Cemetery

was originally part of the expansive estate of Judge William Wilkins, a prominent Pittsburgh politician, and was purchased in 1878 with the intentions of developing a serene lawn-park cemetery amongst an expanding city. The estate had been known as "Homewood" and the beloved nickname was adopted for these soon-to-be hallowed grounds.

Honoring Our Past

Charles Henry Cooper

Pioneering Athlete

Chuck Cooper was born September 29, 1926, and grew up in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh when it was still a highly segregated city. He started playing and thriving at competitive basketball during his time at Westinghouse High School. After graduating, he headed to West Virginia State College, a historically Black institution, to continue developing his basketball career. He was only able to attend for a short period of time before being drafted into the Navy in the final stages of WWII. After an honorable discharge, he enrolled at Duquesne University and returned his focus to basketball.

At Duquesne University, Cooper built a solid record and started getting professionally scouted.

Unfortunately, not everyone was ready for the change of the world and Cooper faced many instances of racism. In 1946, a match against Knoxville, Tennessee, had amassed a crowd of nearly 2,600 fans hoping to view the McKeesport High School basketball court. The excited attendees were disappointed to learn that Tennessee's team had refused to compete against Cooper because of the color of his skin. In a defining moment, Judge Sammy Weiss, acting chair of the Duquesne athletic committee, told the fans "I insist that no player be barred from this game by reason of race, color or creed. The principle of the entire matter means more to us than a mere basketball game."

Duquesne University had effectively taken a stand against segregation during a pivotal time in history and given Cooper the opportunity to thrive, leading his team to several high-profile tournaments. In 1950, with graduation approaching at Duquesne, Cooper decided to continue his basketball career and signed on with the famous touring Harlem Globetrotters. That same year, on April 25, 1950, Cooper made history after being selected by the Boston Celtics during the second round of the National Basketball Association Draft. He was the first Black player drafted in the NBA and his strong rookie season cemented his place in basketball fame. Cooper was traded to the Milwaukee Hawks for the 1954-55 season and then to the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Pistons the following year.

" I don't give a damn if he's striped or plaid or polka-dot, Boston takes Charles Cooper of Duquesne!"

-Walter Brown (Celtics owner)

Section 32, Row 6, Grave 7

After leaving the NBA in the late 1950's, Cooper returned home to Pittsburgh and became solely focused on social activism. He went back to college at the University of Minnesota and earned a Master's Degree in

Social Work in 1961.

He joined numerous high-profile boards and civic organizations throughout his activism. Cooper suffered from Liver Cancer for two years before passing away on

May 2, 1984.

Charles Henry Cooper's basketball talent led him to fame, but his life was not without hardship. He was able to focus on developing his talent regardless of the negative influences he faced and had a successful professional basketball career before dedicating his life to improving the segregation he faced at home. Cooper effectively initiated the integration of the NBA with other talented Black players and dismantled the previously all-white sport while creating a team for everyone to cheer for.

CAREER :

Harlem Globetrotters, 1950

Boston Celtics, 1950-1954

Milwaukee Hawks, 1954-1955

Fort Wayne Pistons, 1955-1956

Harlem Magicians, 1956-1957

Community Action of Pittsburgh, 1966-1968, 1971-1974

Pittsburgh Community Action, 1966-1969

Health and Welfare Association for Allegheny County, 1969

Negro Education Emergency Drive, 1969-1970

Department of City Parks and Recreation, 1970-1971

Pittsburgh National Bank, 1971-1984

Inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1974.

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Research sources:

Carnegie Library & Museum

Manhein, James, "Charles Cooper Biography," Jrank, www.biography.jrank.org

www.nba.com

www.duq.edu

October Tours

During the month of October, Jennie Bedford will be leading tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. Space is limited and reservations are needed.

Please visit The Homewood Cemetery Historical Fund's facebook page or call the office* for more information and updated details.

* 412-421-1822 *

Make a Positive Preservation Impact

As a historic cemetery, The Homewood Cemetery is perpetually dedicated to preserving the rich legacies of those who came before us and are entrusted to our care. Arrangements are available to permanently reside within our gates, and become a part of The Homewood Cemetery's long history.

We hope you will continue to support

The Homewood Cemetery Historical Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, as we move through 2022. Your generous contributions enable THCHF to fulfill its historic preservation efforts.

Donation Options Here!

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