1953-2025
Fred Whitted devoted his life to making sure the rich history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) was never forgotten. While many fans know the scores, championships, and legendary athletes, Whitted focused on preserving the stories behind them. As a researcher, author, historian, and statistician, he became one of the nation’s most respected authorities on Black college athletics, particularly the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
A 1975 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where he studied political science and history, Whitted combined his love of history with a passion for sports. Early in his career, he realized that much of HBCU athletic history was scattered across old newspapers, forgotten media guides, and fading memories. Rather than accept that these stories would disappear, he made it his life’s work to collect, verify, and preserve them.
Over more than three decades, Whitted authored and contributed to numerous reference works that have become essential resources for journalists, sports information directors, historians, and researchers. His best-known publication, The Black College Sports Encyclopedia, is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive records of HBCU athletics ever assembled. He also wrote The Rams’ House, documenting the storied basketball tradition at Winston-Salem State, along with books on Fayetteville’s African American history and the history of women’s basketball in the CIAA.
Whitted wasn’t content to stay behind a desk. He was a familiar face at CIAA tournaments, Winston-Salem State games, and Fayetteville State athletic events, often traveling with teams, recording statistics, interviewing coaches and players, and documenting moments that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. His meticulous record-keeping made him the person many schools turned to whenever historical records or statistics needed to be verified.
His expertise reached a national audience when he served as a historical resource for ESPN’s acclaimed documentary Black Magic, which explored the legacy of Black college basketball. Yet those who knew him often remarked that he never sought recognition for himself. His focus was always on ensuring that HBCU athletes, coaches, and institutions received the recognition they deserved.
Beyond sports, Whitted was deeply involved in his church and community. As a founding member of Family Fellowship Worship Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he served in numerous ministries, mentored young adults, managed the church’s food pantry, and remained active in service throughout his life.
Fred Whitted passed away on October 3, 2025, at the age of 72. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, he was inducted posthumously into the CIAA John B. McLendon Hall of Fame in 2026. The honor reflected what many in the HBCU community had known for years: that without Fred Whitted’s tireless dedication, countless chapters of Black college sports history might have been lost forever.
More than a historian, Fred Whitted was a guardian of memory. His work ensured that generations of HBCU athletes, coaches, and institutions would not simply be remembered—they would be documented, celebrated, and appreciated for years to come.