Science Hill High School

Paul Christman

Paul Christman

After coaching some of the most dominant football and basketball teams in the history of area prep sports at Langston High School, Paul Christman made a large impact at Science Hill once integration began in 1965. Considering his era, Christman's impact greatly exceeded the sports arena.

Sid Smallwood said Christman was the first black member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club.

"Paul and I were friends for a long time, very good friends," Smallwood said. "A lot of people didn't realize it, but Paul was a Major in the Army and he was seriously wounded in Italy. Up until the time he died, he had constant pain in his arm where he'd been machine-gunned."

Herb Greenlee played sports when Christman was at Science Hill in the early '70s (Christmas was an assistant football coach, head JV coach and track coach from 1965-75). Greenlee remembers Christman being a good golfer and tennis player despite the war injuries which left a big not behind his right shoulder blade.

"I know it gave him a lot of pain, but he didn't let that stop him," Greenlee said. "He and Johnny Russaw used to have some battles on the tennis courts."

Christman grew fond of Coach Tony Farrace and Principal Paul Slonaker at Science Hill, where he left quite a mark. But most recall his Langston days, where his Golden Tigers dominated in football and basketball.

"Paul and I used to scout for Science Hill when I was the junior high coach," Bob May said. "He was an excellent football coach and basketball coach who had a big impact (at Science Hill). He had teams down there at Langston -- they just beat people to death."

Added Smallwood: "I watched Langston play all the time. I wish I'd had those Langston guys when I was coaching basketball. It made me drool watching them. And Paul had them well-drilled."

Science Hill football went undefeated in '65, the first year of integration. It was Christman's first year going from head coach to assistant -- under Kermit Tipton -- but Tipton said the way he handled it was admirable.

"You couldn't have two head coaches," Tipton said, "but he never acted ashamed about being an assistant. And Coach Christman had a big influence on (going undefeated). He took players aside and got things straightened out."

Greenlee soaked up the tough love.

"He was a disciplinarian," Greenlee said. "He made you look him in the eye."