Newton was chair of the NCAA Rules Committee and chair of the NCAA D-I Men’s Basketball CommitteeGETTY IMAGES
Former Kentucky AD and Basketball HOFer C.M. NEWTON, known for "rescuing UK’s program from national embarrassment and repeatedly opening doors for historically marginalized black athletes and coaches," died yesterday at 88, according to a front-page piece by Jerry Tipton of the LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER. In addition to his role at UK, Newton was NCAA Rules Committee Chair, NCAA D-I Men’s Basketball Committee Chair and USA Basketball President. Longtime NCAA exec TOM JERNSTEDT said, "I don’t know anyone more highly respected than C.M. of all the people I worked with in my 38 years at the NCAA." Current CFP Exec Dir BILL HANCOCK served as an NCAA liaison to the Men’s Basketball Committee for 16 years, six of which "coincided with Newton’s time on what’s commonly referred to as the Selection Committee for the NCAA Tournament." Hancock: “I don’t remember anyone walking into the room and having the respect of everyone in the room immediately to the extent that C.M. did." Tipton noted in '89, the UK basketball program had been "found in violation of NCAA rules," and former UK President DAVID ROSELLE "convinced Newton to leave a successful coaching career and lead UK athletics." Newton then "hired RICK PITINO" as UK's new men's basketball coach. Roselle cited the "credibility Newton brought to UK basketball as a key to the resurrection." Last May, Newton was named to the NACDA HOF (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 6/5).
BREAKING BARRIERS: In Louisville, Hale & Page note Newton "integrated the basketball programs as coach" at Transylvania Univ. and then at Alabama, and while AD at UK, Newton "hired TUBBY SMITH, the first African-American basketball coach in program history." During a December '73 game at Louisville, Newton "started five black players in the same game for Alabama, marking the first all-black starting lineup in SEC history." Newton also "hired BERNADETTE MATTOX, the first African-American coach for the UK women’s basketball program" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 6/5).
