Millett Hall and African American Student Life

Millet Hall witnessed many firsts, including the first Black cheerleader and the first Black homecoming queen. Belinda Church became the first Black cheerleader in 1971. Although many people were unhappy with the decision, Belinda Church was offered the 6th alternate cheerleading position on Miami University's cheerleading team after two separate auditions. In addition to her athletics, Church was also a member of the Zeta Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a public service-based sorority focused on improving the unfair conditions in the Black community. Another "first" for Black students at Miami University, Debra Jackson was elected the first Black homecoming queen at Miami University in December 1970, during her junior year. Utilizing a campus-wide voting system, Jackson won over 18 contestants. During her time at Miami she majored in art education and was also a member of the Zeta Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Black Student Action Association (BSAA). Jackson grew up in Oxford, Ohio and attended Talawanda High School before her enrollment at Miami University. 

In women's basketball, Tonia Stubbs was one of the most accomplished women's basketball players in Miami's history. Tonia Stubbs, an African American women's basketball player, graduated from Miami University in 1987. She won the MAC championships in 1982 and 1983. Tonia was pronounced second-team ALL-MAC honors in 1985. She earned an honorable mention in 1983 and 1984. She held Miami's career rebounding record up until 1995 and currently ranks 3rd with a total of 815 career rebounds.

Archie Aldridge may be the most famous basketball player in Miami University's History. He scored 1,486 points in the three years he played for the Miami University basketball team. This placed him on the all-time scoring list. In these three seasons, his two main goals records were 60.8% of the field goal in the 1977-1978 season and 57.1% in the 1975-1977 season. Archie Aldridge not only maintains these two records, but he also has other dazzling personal honors. In 1975-1976 Aldridge was selected as part of the All-Mid-American Conference second team. He entered the first team twice in the 1976-1978 season. He won a MAC championship at Miami and held an impressive record of 57 wins and 23 losses. With these fantastic honors, he became a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame as a native of Middletown.

Millett Hall has been a cornerstone of the culture at Miami University ever since its completion in 1968. Hosting a wide range of events, Millett Hall is the go-to location for all types of large gatherings at Miami, including basketball, cheerleading, and campus-wide ceremonies. Millet Hall's rich history could not excel without the dedicated Black athletes and leaders who passed through year after year. Wayne Embry, Archie Aldridge, Tonia Stubbs, Belinda Church, and Debra Jackson are a few of the many athletes who have contributed to what we know of Millet Hall today.

Millet Hall will soon house the famous statue of Wayne Embry, a former basketball player (out of Withrow Court), which you will learn about later in our walking tour. Embry was one of Miami's greatest basketball players on and off of the court. Embry will soon have a statue of himself dedicated outside the front entrance of Millett Hall in honor of the scholarship created in his name. This scholarship will help to aid men's basketball players at the university financially. Wayne Embry, Archie Aldridge, Tonya Stubbs, Belinda Church, and Debra Jackson are a few of the many athletes who have contributed to what we know of Millet Hall today. 

https://miamiredhawks.com/facilities/millett-hall

https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/2018/6/7/facilities-millett-hall-15-html.aspx

https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/millett-hall-s845

https://miamioh.edu/cca/performing-arts-series/visit-us/venues

https:/www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/06/30/miami-university-spends-20m-to-revamp-athletic.html