Kristian Ferrell
Will Allen, born on February 8, 1949, is a retired basketball player who played for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was the first African-American in the school's history to do so. Allen played collegiately for the Miami Floridians of the American Basketball Association and overseas in Belgium. After his retirement, he became an urban farmer and was awarded the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant in 2008 for his work in urban farming and sustainable food production.
Explore related products
$9.99
What You'll Learn
Will Allen's basketball career at the University of Miami
Will Allen, born on February 8, 1949, is a retired professional basketball player who played collegiately for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was the first African-American in the school's history to do so. Allen played alongside scoring machine UMSHoF member and All-American Don Curnutt for two seasons (1968-69 and 1969-70). Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 230 pounds, Allen was known for his physicality and often muscled his way to the basket or grabbed rebounds, despite facing taller opponents.
Prior to his time at the University of Miami, Allen was a high school state champion in basketball at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. During his senior year, he averaged 25 points and 23 rebounds, leading his team to the state title. He was named All-State and a High School All-American.
After his time at the University of Miami, Allen went on to play for the Miami Floridians of the American Basketball Association during the 1971-72 season and also played overseas in Belgium before retiring from basketball in 1977.
Allen was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding career as one of the most prolific centers in the university's basketball history. His achievements at the University of Miami paved the way for future African-American athletes and left a lasting impact on the program.
Following his basketball career, Allen pursued a career in marketing and then transitioned into urban farming, becoming the director of Growing Power, a Milwaukee-based urban agriculture organization. He has received numerous accolades for his work in urban farming, including the MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" in 2008 and recognition from Time Magazine as one of the "World's 100 Most Influential People" in 2010.
Tournament Chances: UGA Men's Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Allen's time with the Miami Floridians
Will Allen, born on February 8, 1949, is a retired professional basketball player who played for the Miami Floridians in the 1971-72 season. He was the first African American to play basketball at the University of Miami, where he played on the freshman team in 1967-68 and then alongside the scoring machine UMSHoF member and All-American Don Curnutt for two seasons (1968-69 and 1969-70). Nicknamed the Rockville Cyclone, Allen was known for his prowess on the court, using his 6-foot-6-inch, 230-pound frame to muscle his way to the basket or to grab rebounds.
During his time with the Miami Floridians, Allen played for the American Basketball Association, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team's success. He was a key member of the team and made a lasting impact on the organization. Unfortunately, specific details about his statistics or achievements during this particular season are not readily available.
After his time with the Miami Floridians, Allen went on to have a successful career in basketball, both domestically and internationally. He played overseas in Belgium and continued to excel on the court. Allen's dedication and talent were recognized, and he established himself as a prominent figure in the sport.
Allen's basketball career provided him with valuable lessons that he would later apply to his post-retirement endeavors. He retired from basketball in 1977 and, alongside his wife Cynthia, moved to her hometown of Milwaukee. There, he embarked on a career in marketing and, in 1993, made a bold move by purchasing a derelict nursery and a 100-acre farm, from which he launched his urban farming enterprise.
The Evolution of Basketball: The Shot Clock's Inception
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His move to Belgium to play basketball
Will Allen, born on February 8, 1949, in Rockville, Maryland, was a high school state champion in basketball at Richard Montgomery High School. He went on to play collegiately for the University of Miami Hurricanes, becoming the first African-American in the school's history to do so. Allen was a prolific center, known for his physicality and rebounding abilities, which he utilized effectively despite often facing taller opponents.
After his time at the University of Miami, Allen chose to continue his basketball career by playing for the Miami Floridians in the American Basketball Association during the 1971-72 season, and he also played overseas in Belgium. Unfortunately, there is limited information available specifically about his time playing basketball in Belgium.
Allen's career in basketball came to a close in 1977, and he retired as a player. However, his journey took a new turn as he transitioned into the world of urban farming. Along with his wife, Cynthia, who was also a graduate of the University of Miami, Allen moved to her hometown of Milwaukee. There, he embarked on a career in marketing before discovering his passion for urban agriculture.
In 1993, Allen took a significant step by purchasing a derelict nursery and a 100-acre farm in Oak Creek, near Milwaukee. This marked the beginning of his transformation into one of the world's foremost practitioners of urban agriculture. His organization, Growing Power, grew to include 13 farms and a dedicated team of 40 employees. Through their efforts, they positively impacted the lives of 10,000 underprivileged individuals each year by providing them with food.
The Elusive 5-Pointer: Basketball's Ultimate Achievement?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The racial significance of his time at Miami
Will Allen, born on February 8, 1949, is a former professional basketball player who played for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was the first African-American player in the history of the school's basketball program. Allen's time at Miami held significant racial significance, as he broke racial barriers and paved the way for future African-American athletes at the university.
During his high school career at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, Allen excelled in basketball, leading his team to a state championship. He then chose to continue his basketball career at the University of Miami, where he made history as the first African-American player to represent the school on the court. This was a groundbreaking moment for the university and a significant step forward in terms of racial integration within the athletic program.
Allen's presence on the team sent a powerful message about racial equality and diversity, challenging stereotypes and breaking down racial barriers in a time when racial tensions and segregation were still prevalent in the United States. As the only African-American player on the team, Allen carried the weight of representation and helped foster a more inclusive environment within the athletic department and the university as a whole.
His impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he became a symbol of racial progress and a source of inspiration for other African-American students and athletes. Allen's success and acceptance by his teammates and the university community demonstrated that talent and hard work transcend racial boundaries, setting a precedent for future generations of athletes from all racial backgrounds.
Allen's time at Miami not only contributed to his own personal success but also played a pivotal role in the university's journey towards racial equality and diversity. His presence helped foster a culture of inclusivity, where athletes of all races could pursue their sporting dreams without discrimination. Allen's legacy at Miami serves as a reminder of the power of sports to transcend racial divides and inspire positive social change.
The Inception of Basketball League: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Will Allen's post-basketball career in urban farming
Will Allen, a former basketball player, is now an urban farmer and the leader of the urban farming movement. After retiring from basketball in 1977, Allen moved to Milwaukee with his wife, Cynthia, and pursued a career in marketing. In 1993, he purchased a derelict nursery in foreclosure called Growing Power, along with a 100-acre farm in nearby Oak Creek. Allen transformed Growing Power into a thriving urban farming organisation with 40 employees, 13 farms, and the ability to feed 10,000 underprivileged people annually. He also has an offshoot project in Chicago, run by his daughter, Erika.
Allen's work in urban agriculture has earned him numerous awards and recognition. In 2008, he was awarded the MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" and, in 2010, Time Magazine named him one of the "World's 100 Most Influential People." The following year, he received the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the highest honour bestowed by the NCAA.
Allen's approach to urban farming is influenced by his athletic career, which taught him about life skills, hard work, dedication, and teamwork. He applies these lessons to his organisation, stating that he "run [s] this organisation like a sports franchise in a lot of ways." Allen's work focuses on teaching poor communities techniques for creating self-sustaining and profitable food supplies, making him a prominent figure in the world of urban agriculture and food security.
In addition to his practical work, Allen has also been recognised academically for his contributions to agriculture. In 2012, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Agriculture degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he also delivered the commencement address. Allen's journey from basketball player to urban farmer has not only been transformative for him but has also positively impacted the lives of thousands through his innovative and dedicated work in urban farming.
Money Shots: Basketball's Ultimate High-Value Plays
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Will Allen is a retired professional basketball player and American urban farmer based in Milwaukee.
Allen was a high school state champion in basketball at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. He played collegiately for the University of Miami Hurricanes, becoming the first African-American in the school's history to do so. He also played for the Miami Floridians in the 1971-72 season for the American Basketball Association and overseas in Belgium.
After his basketball career, Allen pursued a career in marketing. In 1993, he purchased a derelict nursery in foreclosure called Growing Power, which he turned into a successful urban farming organization. He is also the author of a book that was nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award in the category of biography/autobiography.
Allen has received numerous awards, including the 2008 MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant", the 2009 Kellogg Foundation grant, and the 2005 Ford Foundation leadership grant. He was also the recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the highest honor bestowed by the NCAA, and was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.
