Jesse Jackson and U of I quarterbacks

Editor: In a recent issue of Illinois Issues, a statement was published about Jesse Jackson's experience as a student at the University of Illinois. It was stated that "the leadership position on the team was reserved exclusively for whites." The records here indicate that this was not the case. The starting quarterback during the year Mr. Jackson was on campus was black, as was a co-captain of the team.

While I am not implying that racism did not exist on campus in 1959, it does not seem to have played a part in the selection of a quarterback for the football team.

Judith Rowan
Associate Chancellor
University of Illinois
Champaign