Black Student Success Honorable Tribute: Columbus S. Craig

Columbus S. Craig (April 8, 1936 – September 26, 2023) graduated from Central High School in 1955. While at Central, he lettered in four sports: baseball, basketball, football and track. In his senior year, he was a participant for the county in the first city/county baseball game. Ultimately, he received a full scholarship to play baseball at Fresno State, becoming the first African American to play baseball at Fresno State! 

While at Fresno State, Columbus was active in campus politics and supported fellow students with direction and wisdom. While majoring in history, he became a pearl member of the Fresno State Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Epsilon Beta. As a scholar-athlete, he spread his fraternity’s mantra of being a Study Club and Literary Society by helping charter new chapters throughout California. 

After graduation in 1960, Columbus was not finished trailblazing; from 1961 to 1971, he was a teacher at Thomas Edison High School and became the first African American California Interscholastic Federation baseball coach in the state. He then continued to raise the bar for high school academics, serving as Washington High School’s dean of students and later as the principal. Columbus retired from education in 1996. 

Columbus Craig was a valued member of the Fresno community and championed educational initiatives for over sixty years. He was a supporter of the United Negro College Fund and a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

His absence leaves a void but his legacy gives us all a touchstone worthy of attempting to achieve. Fresno State, the community, and multiple Cal State and UC campuses are indebted.

by SADE JOHNSON

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