Nardiello briefly described Barnette’s life in the introduction to the latter’s book, “Is My Skin My Only Sin -- Breaking the Color Barrier,” published in 2004.
At one point Barnette was a team member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team.
“I have known Don (Barnette) from his early days as a basketball player,” Nardiello wrote.”I first saw him as a student athlete at (Middletown’s) McKinley Junior High. When he arrived at Middletown High he had all the attributes of an outstanding guard. He was one of the big reasons the 1952 team was able to win a state basketball championship…” (1)
In 2004 Barnette, by then an Oakland, California resident, returned to his high school alma mater to share his life story -- and advice -- with an audience of young Middies. “The Middletown Journal” covered his visit. (2)
Recalling his transition from high school to college, Robinson stated he had been offered “basketball scholarships to 18 colleges and universities.” But the rescinding of a scholarship from a school he planned to attend -- an action he blamed on race -- prompted Robinson to ask his young audience: “What do you do when you hit a snag?” (2)
He responded : “You’ve got to pick up your character. Get your character in gear,” advising his youthful audience to turn the “whys” into “hows.” (2)
For Robinson, the “why” became a “how” when the scholarship revocation led to his enrolling at Miami University. There, awarded one-eighth of a scholarship, he worked as a waiter, which allowed him to remain at the school. He received a full basketball scholarship the following year. (2)
According to the Journal article, Barnette played on Miami’s 1954-55 MAC championship team, graduated in 1956 with a degree in physical education and industrial arts, and served two years in the Navy. (2)
