1995 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Multiple Sports
Floyd Bates, Jr., a native of Flint, Michigan and the son of two athletically gifted parents, Adelaide and Floyd Bates Sr. was a product of the Flint School system. Floyd was a high jumper and hurdler on the Southwestern High School track team from 1959-1961. He was a fine rebounder and shooter in basketball.
Some of his outstanding achievements in track included: 1960-120 high hurdles-15.6 seconds; 180 low hurdles 21 seconds’ flat; 1961 won 12 straight hurdle events. Regional 180 low hurdles record, 19.5/sec Flint City meet-120 high hurdles record, 14.9/sec, breaking his father’s record set in 1938. The city meet-180 low hurdles record, 20/sec flat and Southwestern 180 low hurdles record 19.5/sec. The Flint City meet most outstanding performer. Best Southwestern individual single meet performance 16 1/4 points against Central and Midland. Tied Regional 120 high hurdles record, 15/sec flat. Southwestern most prolific scorer in track history, 154 3 / 4 points in one season.
In basketball, Floyd was Southwestern first black captain in 1961, the team’s leading scorer 222 points, the team’s leading rebounder and most valuable player.
