About
The Collie J. Nicholson Chapter of the Grambling University National Alumni Association operates as a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization where the general purpose is to raise funds for educational programs and scholarships. Our chapter continuously reinvests in the community through the following initiatives:
- Annual scholarship to eligible North Dallas residents of Grambling State University
- Partnership with Little Elm High School
The primary focus of the North Dallas Chapter is bringing more visibility of Grambling State University to the northern part of Dallas. What a great way to honor a GSU graduate that did the very same thing on a national and international scale. Collie J. Nicholson was the first Black Marine Corps war journalist during World War II, graduated from Grambling, and became GSU’s first Sports Information Director.
Mr. Nicholson had something to share when it came to Grambling State University. His marketing skills, vision, and determination allowed GSU’s football team to play games in New York City (1964) and Tokyo, Japan (1976 and 1977). The game in New York City sold 64,000 seats at Yankee Stadium. Mr. Nicolson was the catalyst to get the annual game between Grambling State University and Southern University moved to New Orleans, which he named the Bayou Classic. He was responsible for GSU’s marching band playing in three Super Bowls.
Coach Eddie G. Robinson once called him “the man with the golden pen.” Mr. Nicolson had a way with words when writing about athletics at Grambling. He publicized players such as Paul Younger, known as “Tank,” the first player in the NFL from a predominantly black college; James Harris, the first African-American drafted as a quarterback; Willie Brown; Buck Buchanan; Ernie Ladd; Willie Davis, Charlie Joiner, Gary “Big Hands” Johnson and Doug Williams to name a few. In July 2006, the press box at the Eddie G. Robinson Stadium was named after him, where Mr. Nicolson’s typewriter is on display.
In 2002, when he received the Trailblazer Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America, Mr. Nicholson stated, “I was at the right place at the right time. We had a five-year plan to make Grambling black America’s football team. Just like Notre Dame built a Catholic base, we wanted to build a black base with Grambling football.” With the efforts that our chapter to trying to implement, Mr. Nicolson’s vision and motivation should ours as well, and we should continue this Grambling Legend’s aspirations.
Service Areas:
Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Coppell, Corinth, Denton County, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Grapevine, Irving, Lewisville, Little Elm, McKinney, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett, The Colony, and Wylie