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Celebrating Black History and Who Is Wilbur Wood?

Uniforms Honor Husker Pioneer Wilbur Wood

Before World War I, Wilbur Wood, a University of Nebraska student-athlete from 1907 to 1910,became the first Husker African-American basketball player. He was also among the first African-Americans who played basketball at a predominately white university.

On Saturday, Nebraska, in collaboration with apparel partner adidas, will celebrate Black History Month at Pinnacle Bank Arena by wearing throwback uniforms and paying tribute to Wood and his trailblazing teammates who represented the Huskers in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Even though Wood is the staple in Nebraska’s unique way to honor him and celebrate Black History Month simultaneously, only small pieces of information are at the fingertips of Husker fans who embrace milestones and treasure tradition.