Terry L. Broxson’s The Governor’s Trophy is an enticing historical novella showcasing a 1956 Texas college debate competition.

The story highlights the first time African American students from Houston’s Texas Southern University entered the event to challenge white colleges. Set against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s decision of Brown vs. Board of Education declaring school segregation unconstitutional, racist Texas Governor Allan Shivers was determined to ignore the dictate and have the black team eliminated from the competition.

The story’s focus is on the top-ranking debaters. Maridell Fisher and Wretha Whittle represent Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, while Houston’s opposing newcomers Barbara Jordan and Otis King are equally impressive. The four students and their coaches soon become friendly competitors. When the participants learn of the governor’s intentions to falsely disqualify the black team, they unite to turn the tables on the scheming governor.

While the story highlights a singular event, Broxson draws readers into a layered timeframe that moves between the debater’s readiness; Governor Shiver’s meetings with like-minded cohorts; and astute individuals, such as a waiter who overhears the governor’s desires and exposes his intentions.

Broxson does a fine job developing these characters. The action moves forward at a steady pace, and tensions build as the students prepare for the competition’s final round, which, in a well-executed change up, centers on the resolve of the Senate and House of Representatives adopting an immediate plan for integrating Texas public schools.

The book includes an informative follow-up of bios for each of the central characters the story is based on. Additionally, there’s a list of well-known former high school and college debaters, which includes past presidents and present-day celebrities, such as Harry Connick Jr. and Brad Pitt.

Although this is fiction, Broxson skillfully combines accurate historical information with provocative storytelling. This combination should attract a wide audience, including former student debaters, as well as those interested in the civil rights era of the 1950s.

Also available in hardcover and paperback.