This week's episode of the Mocs on the Mic podcast, presented by SmartBank, continues the celebration of Black History Month with a visit with former men's basketball standout Herbert 'Book' McCray.  McCray was a part of Chattanooga's glory days as a Division II powerhouse in basketball.

McCray came to Chattanooga as a member of the first all African-American recruiting class at UTC.  He played for national title in 1976 and won it all with the Mocs in 1977.  McCray earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education at UTC and served in the Hamilton County School System for 26 years, 11 as a classroom teacher and coach and 15 as an administrator.

Even after retiring from the school system in 2009, Book didn't stop helping young people. In 1993, he gathered girls and boys for a citywide basketball league, which grew into the Chattanooga Basketball Foundation and the Independent Youth Services Foundation.

The organization's goal is to teach life skills to boys through male mentoring, academic motivation and healthy living. With Book still serving as president, the foundation now works with more than 180 children in various elementary, middle and high schools and community centers in Chattanooga.

McCray served as the Commencement Speaker at UTC spring 2018 graduation ceremonies.  We hope you enjoy host Chris Goforth's conversation with one of the best representatives of the Mocs. 

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