Durham had first building named to honour Ali

DURHAM /Tribune News Service

A few weeks before Christmas in 1977 and nearly a year before he would go on to lose his heavyweight title to Leon Spinks, Durham got an early Christmas present when Muhammad Ali came to town to help dedicate a new junior college gymnasium named in his honor.
Located off Fayetteville Street near the intersection of Pilot Street, the Muhammad Ali Health and Physical Education Building was a part of the old Durham College, also known as the Durham Business College.
It was the first building in the United States named for the former heavyweight champion who died Friday. Ali was 74.
Ali’s visit to Durham that December was covered extensively by “The Carolina Times.” “This is the first building in these United States to be named for me,” Ali is quoted as saying. “I am truly honored and humbled.”
The former gym is now home to the Faith Assembly Christian Center.
Ali’s invitation to visit Durham was extended by Lucina McCauley Harris, who founded Durham College.
On Monday, several local leaders who got to meet Ali on his trip to Durham shared their remembrances of the visit. It included, in addition to the gym dedication, a luncheon at the former Governor’s Inn thrown by the Durham Chamber of Commerce and a well-attended speaking engagement at the Durham Civic Center.
Rev. Lorenzo Lynch delivered the invocation at the gym dedication, and was struck by the seriousness of the message Ali delivered to the youth who crowded the facility to get a glimpse at the champ.
Lynch — father of U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch — expected to see the Ali portrayed on television, the one who joked and clowned around a lot. “On that day he did not clown, he did not play around,” Lynch said. “He talked in this manner, telling the youth to get their education, complete their education, books won’t bite you. He spoke more like a high school principal or a college lecturer. That has stuck with me.”
Former state Senator Ralph Hunt, a member of the Durham City Council at the time, joined Ali at the chamber luncheon, filling in for then-mayor Wade L. Cavin, who was out of town oncouncil business but wrote a letter in advance welcoming Ali to Durham.
“We are indeed honored that a legendary personality such as yourself, who made an immeasurable impact on the world and is admired by millions across the globe, has graced our city with this visit,” Cavin wrote in the letter dated Nov. 30, 1977.
The City also presented Ali with a certificate making him an honorary citizen of the City of Durham.
At the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held at the former Governor’s Inn in the Research Triangle Park, Hunt said Ali “thoroughly entertained” those in attendance and shared jokes with then-chamber of commerce President Bob Booth.
Hunt said Ali appealed to a wide cross-section of people in Durham, even though in some parts of the nation he was thoroughly disliked because of his stand against the Vietnam War. “He was very well accepted here in Durham,” Hunt said. “The fact that the chamber gave him a luncheon is an indication of how well he was accepted at that time.”
Former Durham educator John Lucas was among the platform guest invited to attend the gym dedication.
At the time Lucas, a former school board member, was principal of Hillside High School.
“I recall we were all excited that he was able to come to Durham,” Lucas said. “We felt honored to be in his presence.” Lucas, who had heard Ali speaker several months earlier at the basketball banquet for the University of Maryland’s men’s team where his son played under Lefty Driesell, said Ali instilled pride in the African American community.
“He had a lot courage, much more than most people had, particularly during that time,” Lucas said. “He gave a challenge to many of us who were in various positions to think and to grow.” Lucas said he felt very honored to be invited by Durham College to the dedication and to be part of the day when Ali made his visit to Durham.
“Now, I am able to see how he is acclaimed worldwide for his outstanding contributions to civilization,” Lucas said. “He was a man among men.”
Lynch said he was very impressed by Ali, particularly Ali’s acceptance of himself. “He was somebody who accepted himself,” Lynch said. “He broke from typical culture and he fought about as hard outside of the ring as he fought inside the ring.”