Perseverance, Courage, Character
When John Hill Westbrook, B.A. ’69, stepped onto Baylor’s Waco campus in 1965, he was already an ordained Baptist minister. While he was active in the Baylor choir, elected president of the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society and a member of the Baylor Ministerial Alliance, his most visible and lasting accomplishment as a Baylor Bear came on a 9-yard carry late in the fourth quarter of a Baylor football game.
On September 10, 1966, Westbrook became the first Black football player to play in a Southwest Conference game, breaking the color barrier during Baylor's season opener upset against Syracuse.
While Westbrook shrugged off the moment as inconsequential, his legacy and that of SMU’s Jerry LeVias — the first Black scholarship student-athlete recruited to a SWC school — would reverberate through the coming decades as some of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport would follow in their footsteps.
Westbrook’s journey was marked by resilience and determination. Despite facing racial prejudice and physical challenges, including a knee injury and a concussion, he remained committed to his team.
After graduation, he joined the national staff of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Kansas City. He later led the Escalator Program at Southwest Missouri State University, guided interracial ministries for the Southern Baptist Convention and spent time traveling with the Billy Graham Crusades.
Embracing his passion for ministry once again, he became the pastor of True Vine Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, before taking the lead at Antioch Baptist Church in Houston in 1979, following an unsuccessful run for Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
On December 10, 1983, at just 36 years old, Westbrook’s life was cut short due to complications from severe blood clots in his lungs. Though his time on Earth was brief, the impact he made — both at Baylor and beyond — continues to be felt.
Baylor Athletics keeps Westbrook’s memory and courage alive in its mission of Preparing Champions for Life. Central to this effort is the Baylor Built program, which emphasizes personal growth, leadership and character development alongside academic and athletic success.
The initiative offers workshops and learning opportunities on practical life skills, including financial literacy, relationship building and career preparation. Student-athletes receive the tools and training needed to transition smoothly into life beyond their playing days. The program also prioritizes character development, acknowledging that strong values and integrity are essential for long-term success — both on campus, in Waco and well into the future.
Beyond academics and personal growth, Baylor Athletics fosters a culture of resilience and support. Each year, the John Westbrook Award for Courage and Perseverance is given to one male and one female student-athlete who have overcome major obstacles on their path to achievement, carrying forward the spirit of Westbrook’s legacy.
Through these ongoing initiatives, Baylor Athletics not only honors the groundbreaking contributions of John Hill Westbrook but also ensures that his story of perseverance, courage and excellence continues to inspire generations of student-athletes to come.