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David Martin, the SDSU Sports Information Director, sought to bring SDSU men’s basketball players to Cuba and play the Cuban National Basketball Team. He worked with Senator George McGovern and Senator James Abourezk to bring members from both SDSU and the University of South Dakota’s men’s basketball teams to Cuba. Due to the severed diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba at this time, Senator McGovern saw this as an opportunity to rebuild relations between the countries. After two years of tremendous effort, Martin’s vision became a reality. Five basketball players from SDSU and five players from the University of South Dakota were selected to serve as ambassadors for South Dakota and the United States. Including the basketball players and their coaches, a total of 100 Americans made the trek to Cuba in April 4, 1977. Other visitors consisted Senators McGovern and Abourezk, dignitaries, officials from the universities, spouses, and the press, including Tom P. Nelson, the trip photographer. / While in Cuba, the Americans toured the country and met with Cuban dignitaries. As the American basketball players charged on the court, they were given a standing ovation. Cuban Prime Minister, Fidel Castro, along with 15,000 attendees watched the games. Fans cheered for both teams. The American basketball players lost every game against their Cuban counterparts. The Americans returned to the United States on April 8, 1977.
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The collection contains documents relating to the arrangements made for the Cuba trip and the political implications that surrounded the trip. Correspondence between David Martin and Senator George McGovern detail the breadth of such an undertaking. In addition, a post trip overview, numerous newspaper clippings, photographs, and radio excerpts are included in the collection.
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.
South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.
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South Dakota basketball player in casual clothing greeting young people as delegate to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball player in casual clothing greeting young people as delegate to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball players in casual clothing greeting young people as delegates to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball players in casual clothing greeting young people as delegates to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball players in casual clothing greeting young people as delegates to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball player in casual clothing greeting young people as delegate to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba in casual clothing waiting at airport with their luggage
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As delegates to Cuba, South Dakota basketball players pose with basketballs and in USA team jerseys pose outdoors
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Interior of empty basketball arena in Cuba with a sign reading 'El deporte es un derecho del pueblo - Fidel' (Sport is a right of the people - Fidel [Castro])
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Interior of empty basketball stadium in Cuba with a mural of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara
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Members of the press, South Dakota basketball delegation, others standing on basketball court inside empty arena in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball players wearing casual clothing and USA polo shirts pose in front of hoop in basketball arena in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation pose for photo with team wearing USA jerseys pose in arena in Cuba with a mural of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara visible in background
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South Dakota basketball players in USA jerseys carry US and state flags in opening ceremony in a full arena in Cuba
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Cuban national team player in jersey holds Cuban flag in opening ceremony of a game with South Dakota delegation
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Cuban national team player and USA player in jerseys holding respective national flags in opening ceremony of a game in Cuba
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USA team player from South Dakota delegation making jump shot in game with Cuban national team in Cuba
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USA team player from South Dakota delegation making jump shot in game with Cuban national team in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team player from South Dakota delegation playing against Cuban national team in Cuba
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USA team player from South Dakota delegation making jump shot in game with Cuban national team in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team player from South Dakota delegation playing against Cuban national team in Cuba
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Members of the press photographing USA basketball delegation from South Dakota carrying US flag into game against Cuban national team in full stadium in Cuba
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USA team player from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national player jump during in game in Cuba
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USA team player from South Dakota delegation attempts a basket in game against Cuban national team in Cuba
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USA team player from South Dakota delegation making jump shot in game with Cuban national team in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing in Cuba
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Member of the press photographs basketball players from South Dakota delegation sitting on the bench with coaches during basketball game in Cuba
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Basketball players from South Dakota delegation sitting on the bench with coaches during basketball game in Cuba
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Basketball coach kneels in front of players from South Dakota delegation sitting on the bench in USA team jerseys during basketball game in Cuba
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Basketball coaches kneel in front of players from South Dakota delegation sitting on the bench in USA team jerseys during basketball game in Cuba
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Cuban national team basketball players dining with members of South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba
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Cuban national team basketball players dining with members of South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba
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Cuban national team basketball players dining with members of South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba
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Cuban national team basketball players dining with members of South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation dining in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation dining in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation dining on pineapple in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation dining on pineapple in Cuba
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Cuban man and women in formal dress in restaurant in Cuba during a visit by South Dakota basketball delegation
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Cuban man and woman in formal dress in restaurant in Cuba during a visit by South Dakota basketball delegation
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South Dakota basketball delegation dining in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation drinking beer in an outdoor cafe in Cuba with video cameras in background
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Cuban national team basketball players dining during visit from South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation and Cuban national team players at a cafe in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation and Cuban national team players getting photographed informally at a cafe in Cuba
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James Abourezk and George McGovern sitting and talking with a man in Cuba
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George McGovern speaking into microphones in a crowd Cuba
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James Abourezk and George McGovern sitting and talking with a man in Cuba
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James Abourezk and George McGovern sitting and talking with a man in Cuba
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James Abourezk smiling and dining with others in Cuba
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James Abourezk talking and dining with others in Cuba
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Eleanor McGovern in sunglasses smiling with a man in Cuba
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Eleanor McGovern wearing sunglasses in Cuba
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James Abourezk speaking to unidentified woman in Cuba
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Man taking notes and woman interviewing a member of South Dakota delegation in Cuba
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George McGovern in Cuba with bottles of Havana Club rum visible in the background
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South Dakota basketball delegation in suits shaking hands and exchanging flags with Cubans in Cuba
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Man speaking with police officers in Cuba
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El Capitolio, the National Capitol Building in Havana, Cuba
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View of a courtyard in Havana, Cuba
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View from a balcony in Havana, Cuba
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Statue in a courtyard in Havana, Cuba
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Chandelier hanging in the dome of a Havana Cathedral, Cuba
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Crucifix under a dome in interior of a Havana Cathedral, Cuba
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Interior of a Havana Cathedral, Cuba
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Painting of San Cristobal in an altar in Havana Cathedral, Cuba
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Interior of rooms with chandeliers in Cuba
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Photograph from the nave of chandelier in dome, fresco, altar in Havana Cathedral, Cuba
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Self portrait of photographer in mirror in courtyard in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation in USA polo shirts pose with a woman on a beach in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation in USA polo shirts pose with a woman on a beach in Cuba
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Members of the press preparing video cameras in Cuba
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Reporter smoking before filming a report near building site in Cuba with other press members nearby
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Reporters and South Dakota basketball delegation players walking down street in Cuba
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Reporters and South Dakota basketball delegation players walking down street in Cuba
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Cars in Old Havana, Cuba
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Street scene in Old Havana, Cuba, with cars, men and the sign and shopfront of La Bodeguita del Medio visible
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Facade in Old Havana, Cuba
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People standing on balconies in Old Havana, Cuba
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Photographer on street corner in Old Havana, Cuba, posing near motorcycle
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Ornate facade in Old Havana, Cuba
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Cannons at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Cannons at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Man crossing bridge at Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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View of Havana Bay
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Shipping vessel in Havana Bay
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Boat in Havana Bay
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Vessel in Havana Bay
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Vessel in Havana Bay
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Shipping vessel in Havana Bay
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Shipping vessel in Havana Bay
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Baseball field and empty bleachers of Estadio Latinoamerica, Latin America Stadium, in Havana, Cuba
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Woman sewing baseballs by hand in a factory in Cuba
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Woman sewing baseball gloves by hand in a factory in Cuba
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Men sewing baseballs by hand in a factory in Cuba
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Man working with industrial sewing machine in Cuba
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Statue of nude woman in a garden outside of a building in Cuba
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Bulletin board in church in Cuba
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Windows and plants in open air courtyard in Cuba
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Photographers talking around a fountain in a courtyard in Cuba
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Fountain in a courtyard in Cuba
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Fountain in a courtyard in Cuba
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Fountain in a courtyard in Cuba
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Fountain in a courtyard in Cuba
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Portrait of photographer in a courtyard in Cuba
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View of cars and Old Havana from Fortaleza San Carlos de la Caba
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Cannons at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Portait of a man behind cannons at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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South Dakota basketball delegation at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Member of South Dakota basketball delegation standing on wall at Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation dining in Cuba
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Altar, dome and crucifix in a cathedral in Cuba
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Architecture in Old Havana, Cuba
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Motorcycle police officer speaking to a man in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation and Cuban national team players getting photographed informally at a cafe in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball players wearing casual clothing and USA polo shirts pose in front of hoop in basketball stadium in Cuba
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Dancers performing in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball team players on the bench talking to coaches during game with Cuban national team in Cuba
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James Abourezk and George McGovern sitting and talking with unidentified man in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball player in casual clothing greeting young people as delegate to Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation and Cuban national team players at a cafe in Cuba
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Two men at a construction site in Cuba
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Interior view of nave and doors of a cathedral in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing in Cuba
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing in Cuba
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James Abourezk smiling and dining with others in Cuba
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Man crossing a foot bridge at Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Caba
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Members of the South Dakota basketball delegation dining in Cuba
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Fountain in a courtyard in Cuba
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James Abourezk talking and dining with others in Cuba
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Crowd at a basketball game between South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Cuban national team basketball at a buffet line in South Dakota
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Photographer taking pictures of James Abourezk speaking with unidentified men seated in a restaurant
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Cuban national team basketball player speaking with a man
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Men's basketball players from SDSU and Cuban national team hold national flags in SDSU basketball stadium in opening ceremony before game
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Men from South Dakota and Cuba delegations dining
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Action photo of USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team playing at SDSU
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Scoreboard from SDSU home game versus Cuban national team showing a final score of 55 to 65
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Men's basketball players from SDSU and Cuban national team hold national flags in SDSU basketball stadium in opening ceremony before game
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Two South Dakota delegates to Cuba speak to unidentified woman in airplane
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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South Dakota delegate to Cuba speaks to a woman in airplane
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South Dakota basketball delegation in airplane
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South Dakota delegation to Cuba basketball players on the bench during game against Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Player from South Dakota basketball delegation in airplane
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James Abourezk and George McGovern flanked by South Dakota basketball coaches in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation in airplane
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team, scoreboard reads 44 South Dakota 66 Cuba
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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South Dakota basketball delegation smiling in Cuban restaurant
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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South Dakota delegation to Cuba basketball players on the bench during game against Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team in Cuba. A mural of Ernesto Che Guevara and scoreboard showing score of 22 South Dakota and 36 Cuba are in background.
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Member of South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba in USA team shirt with Cuban girls in school uniforms
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South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba players in USA team uniforms standing in the surf on Cuban beach. One player is holding a woman.
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South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba players and coaches pose in their USA team uniforms
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James Abourezk and George McGovern speaking with Raul Castro and unidentifed woman in Cuba
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Raul Castro in military dress with press members in the background
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Action photo of basketball game between USA team from South Dakota delegation and Cuban national team in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba players in USA team uniforms standing in the surf on Cuban beach. One player is holding a woman.
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James Abourezk and George McGovern flanked by South Dakota basketball coaches in Cuba
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South Dakota basketball delegation to Cuba players in USA team uniforms standing on Cuban beach with two women subathing in the foreground
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1977 South Dakota men's basketball delegation to Cuba organized by Senator George McGovern and attended by students athletes from South Dakota State University and South Dakota State University, as well as Governor James Abourezk. Includes rosters for games played between Cuban national team and South Dakota teams.
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1977 South Dakota men's basketball delegation to Cuba organized by Senator George McGovern and attended by students athletes from South Dakota State University and South Dakota State University, and Governor James Abourezk. Includes correspondence with McGovern and Martin. Notable documents include a letter of support from Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, press release from McGovern's office, trip itinerary and notes, photographs.
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1977 South Dakota men's basketball delegation to Cuba organized by Senator George McGovern and attended by students athletes from South Dakota State University and South Dakota State University, as well as Governor James Abourezk. Includes press correspondence and names of national media representatives on the trip. Also includes Spanish language text of article from the Cuban magazine 'Bohemia.'
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1977 South Dakota men's basketball delegation to Cuba organized by Senator George McGovern and attended by students athletes from South Dakota State University and South Dakota State University, as well as Governor James Abourezk. Includes rosters, programs for games played between Cuban national team and South Dakota delegation team.