The 1975 Division III national basketball champion LeMoyne-Owen College Magicians never received their championship rings from their 27-5 run to the title. Last Saturday, the team finally received those rings and a firmer place in Tennessee basketball history. “The LOC Alumni Association decided that we needed to honor this team for such an important achievement,” said Jesse Chatman, Director of Administrative Services at LeMoyne-Owen College and President of the LOC Alumni Association. “Coach Jerry Johnson led this team to become the first and only men's basketball team in the State of Tennessee to ever win an NCAA National Championship. This achievement is historic, and we wanted to properly acknowledge their accomplishment.” The Magicians are the only HBCU basketball program to capture a Division III championship, and along with Virginia Union University, Morgan State University, Winston-Salem State University, Cheney State University, the University of District Columbia and North Carolina Central State University, they are the only black college to capture a national title in men's basketball. *UPDATE* Officials with LeMoyne-Owen College say that the team not receiving their championship rings was an “oversight.” A parade and other commemorative events were held following the win, but rings, which were to be order shortly after the celebration, were never processed. Post Published: 12 February 2010 Author: Carter www.hbcudigest.com