The School District of Beloit is taking steps to recognize a local sports hero. The Board of Education has approved forming a committee to consider naming the Beloit Memorial High School basketball floor after Johnny Watts, the city’s first Black basketball star and a Harlem Globetrotters legend.
Johnny Watts: Beloit’s Basketball Trailblazer
Johnny Watts, a 1934 Beloit High School graduate, left an indelible mark on the city’s sports history. He led his school to three consecutive state basketball championships from 1932 to 1934. Watts wasn’t just a basketball phenom; he also excelled in football.
After high school, Watts briefly played college basketball before embarking on a long professional career. He first joined the famous Harlem Globetrotters. Later, he formed his own all-Black barnstorming team, the Negro Globe Trotters, based in Milwaukee.
Honoring a Local Legend: The Proposal
Jim Simmons, a Beloit resident, has been advocating for this honor for several years. The proposal specifically requests naming the basketball floor after Watts, not the entire gymnasium.
“This recognition is long overdue,” Simmons stated. “Johnny Watts was a pioneer in Beloit sports and deserves to be remembered by future generations.”
Precedents for Court Naming
Naming courts after sports legends isn’t uncommon. The University of Wisconsin, for example, plays at the Kohl Center, named after former U.S. Senator and Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl.
In 2017, the university named the Kohl Center court after Ab Nicholas, a Rockford, Illinois native who starred at Wisconsin in the 1950s. Nicholas later became a successful businessman and major UW donor in Milwaukee.
The Decision-Making Process
The newly formed committee will carefully consider the proposal. They will weigh the historical significance of Watts’ achievements against other potential honorees.
Currently, the Beloit Memorial High School gymnasium bears the name of Bernie Barkin. Barkin coached the Beloit team from 1953 to 1982, winning 442 games and leading the school to one state title.
The committee has not been given a deadline for their decision. They will likely consider various factors, including Watts’ impact on local sports history and his role as a trailblazer for Black athletes.
Johnny Watts’ Lasting Legacy
Johnny Watts passed away in 2001, but his legacy continues to inspire. His achievements on the basketball court opened doors for future generations of Black athletes in Beloit and beyond.
Naming the basketball floor after Watts would serve as a permanent reminder of his contributions to Beloit’s sports history. It would also highlight the city’s rich basketball tradition to current and future students.
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