Carrying Forward a UNCP Legacy

Howard McCleod made history at Pembroke State University in the early 1970s when he became the first African American basketball player to suit up for the Braves. However, his impact reached far beyond the court, shaping a legacy of leadership and purpose that continued long after his college years.

Having grown up in a segregated school system, McCleod approached college with caution. Media and uncertainty shaped his impressions of Pembroke. But his experience quickly overturned those assumptions.

“I enjoyed my time at Pembroke,” he said. “The people at Pembroke made my stay very beautiful.”

From university leadership, like President Dr. English E. Jones and historian Dr. Adolph Dial to local residents and teammates like Kelvin Sampson, McCleod recalls being surrounded by encouragement and care.

On the court, McCleod excelled all four years and served as team captain his senior year. In 1973, he helped lead the Braves to the NAIA National Tournament. It was the first national appearance in program history.

“We were the talk of the town,” McCleod said. “And it's a milestone still celebrated by the university today.”

Off the court, McCleod stayed focused on his long-term goals.

“I was here to get an education and play ball,” he said. “I wasn't here for opinions about my race or background.”

A health and physical education major, McCleod went on to spend nearly 40 years as an educator and coach, teaching health, physical education and social studies. He cites Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall as a lifelong role model, inspired by his leadership in Brown v. Board of Education and the broader civil rights movement.

Now approaching his 80th birthday, McCleod continues to mentor young people and returns to campus regularly to be recognized alongside his former teammates.

This year, his return carried special meaning.

On Friday, McCleod watched his daughter, Beverly Williams Dockery, cross the commencement stage to receive her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from UNCP.

“UNCP feels like home,” Dockery said. “I wanted to attend UNCP because I wanted to be part of my father's legacy.”

A veteran educator with 16 years of experience at Sandhills Community College, Dockery now serves as executive assistant to the superintendent at Scotland County Schools. She credited her success in the program to strong faculty support, including mentor Dr. Kelly Ficklin and encouragement from her husband and family.

Sharing the moment with her father made it especially meaningful.

“He's always told us that education is something no one can take away from you,” Dockery said. “He instilled that in my brother and me, and I just want to continue making him and my family proud.”

As she walked the commencement stage with her father proudly watching, the McCleod family's story embodied the strength of family, the power of education and the lasting impact of a legacy built at UNC Pembroke.