Coach Ricky Byrdsong, Remembered

About 5,000 people are expected Sunday at the 14th annual Race Against Hate in Evanston, which honors Ricky Byrdsong, the first African-American coach of Northwestern University’s men’s basketball team who was killed in a hate crime.

In honor of the race and Father's Day, WBUR Boston "Here & Now" producer Alex Ashlock shared his memories of getting to know Byrdsong at a father-son basketball camp at Northwestern University.

"I remember thinking, here was this Big Ten basketball coach and he was spending his Saturday night playing ball with me and my son and all the other fathers and sons at the camp," Ashlock wrote. "Sure he was probably getting paid to organize the camp, but I have never forgotten the fact that he paid attention to us and spoke to my son that night."

To read Ashlock's full story, visit the Here and Now website. 

The Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate will start at 7:30 a.m. on Father's Day, June 16, at Long Field, Evanston, according to the race’s website.

For more information about the race, visit: ywca.org