In the lead-up to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, a significant and principled decision was made by the 1935–36 Long Island Blackbirds basketball team. Despite their remarkable undefeated season and their status as a potential Olympic representative, the team chose to boycott the Olympic trials. This decision was a direct response to the political climate in Germany, specifically the rising antisemitism under the Nazi regime, and it underscored
a moral conviction that transcended athletic ambition.
A Dominant Team's Moral Dilemma
The Long Island Blackbirds were an exceptionally talented team, having completed a perfect 25–0 season in 1935–36. Led by star players Jules Bender, Ben Kramer, and Art Hillhouse, they were widely recognized as a strong contender for a spot on the inaugural U.S. Olympic basketball team. Their athletic prowess and undefeated record made them a prominent fixture in the national basketball landscape, and their absence from the trials was therefore "notably absent" and significant.However, the team, which was largely Jewish, faced a profound moral dilemma. The games were scheduled to be held in Berlin, Germany, a nation where antisemitism was rapidly escalating and becoming institutionalized. For the Blackbirds, participating in trials that would lead to competing in Nazi Germany was seen as an an endorsement, or at least an indirect contribution, to a regime whose values were antithetical to their own. This ethical consideration ultimately outweighed the immense opportunity of Olympic participation.
President Metcalfe's Powerful Statement
The decision to boycott was publicly articulated by LIU president Tristram Walker Metcalfe, who issued a powerful statement explaining the university's stance. Metcalfe declared, "Our conviction that the United States should not participate in the Olympic Games since they are being held in Germany has not been altered by the fact that our basketball team is now recognized generally as a possible Olympic representative." This statement clearly indicated that the university's moral principles were unwavering, even in the face of national athletic recognition.Metcalfe further elaborated on the reasoning, stating that "Such participation would be indirect, if not direct, contribution of the raising of funds to finance such participation." This highlighted the belief that even indirect involvement would lend legitimacy and financial support to the host nation, which was engaged in systematic persecution. The president's words underscored the gravity of the situation and the team's commitment to taking a stand against the rising tide of antisemitism, choosing conscience over athletic glory.
An Unseen Impact on the Olympic Trials
The absence of the Long Island Blackbirds from the Olympic trials meant that one of the nation's most dominant teams did not compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster. While the trials proceeded with other top teams from the AAU, YMCA, and NCAA, the Blackbirds' boycott served as a quiet but potent protest. Their decision highlighted the broader ethical debates surrounding the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which many viewed as a propaganda opportunity for the Nazi regime.Despite their non-participation, the Blackbirds' stand remains a significant, though often overlooked, part of the history of the 1936 Games and the early days of Olympic basketball. It demonstrated that for some, the pursuit of athletic achievement could not be separated from fundamental human rights and moral principles. Their choice to prioritize a stand against antisemitism over a chance at Olympic gold left an indelible mark, serving as a testament to the power of conviction in the face of political adversity.
