FORT WORTH, Texas - Samuel Rudolph “Rocky” Roberson, Sr., a North Carolina Central University Athletics Hall of Famer who broke the college basketball national scoring record in 1943, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 21 in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 93.

Born April 7, 1921, in El Dorado, Kansas, Roberson was a four-sport letterman during his career at NCCU (then called North Carolina College). He earned football letters three years, basketball letters four years, as well as a letter as a member of NCCU's first track team and one baseball letter. 

Roberson’s record-breaking performance happened on Feb. 20, 1943, when he scored 58 points to lead the Eagles to a 92-43 victory over Shaw University. He made 25 field goals and eight free throws to become only the second college basketball player to reach the 50-point milestone. Sportscaster Bill Stern’s coast-to-coast report of Roberson’s feat marked the first national recognition for a player from a Historically Black College or University.

He was also a member of the Eagles’ 1941 CIAA Visitation Championship team.

Roberson is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, with visitation at 12 noon and services at 1 p.m., at St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas (3550 S.W. Loop 820).

For more information, visit www.nccueaglepride.com