As part of Black History Month, Emporia State Athletics will take a look back at some of the black student-athletes that have had an impact on Hornet Athletics.

Monroe Fordham was a member of the Hornet track and field squad and played men's basketball at the University from 1958-62. 

Originally from Orlando, Florida, he was an NAIA All-American high jumper in 1960 when he tied for third at the national meet with a leap of 6-8.  The mark was the top mark by a Kansas collegiate athlete in 1960.  He also claimed individual titles twice at the Missouri Valley AAU Championships, CIC Championships, Kansas Relays, Oklahoma State Relays, ESU Relays and once won the championship at the Texas Relays. 

A powerful rebounder and a two-time All-CIC selection in basketball, Fordham is still ranked sixth on the ESU all-time rebounding list with 682 boards – nearly 60 years after his last game.  He helped the Hornets to a CIC title in 1961 and NAIA National Tournament appearance. Fordham was a team captain of 1961-62 squad.  

After earning his BS and MS from Emporia State he taught social studies at Wichita East HS from 1962-69. He was a faculty member of the History Department at Buffalo (N.Y.) State College from 1970-1998. He served as department chair for 12 years. During his tenure as a faculty member at Buffalo State College, Fordham pioneered a number of initiatives aimed at preserving state and regional African American historical sources.

Following his retirement and in recognition of his work in regional and community history, Buffalo State College established the Monroe Fordham Center for Regional History in 2002.

He was named a Distinguished Alumnus by ESU's Alumni Association in 1993 and was inducted into the ESU Athletics Hall of Honor in 1994.