The Dave Martin Papers document the organization, execution, and impact of the 1977 goodwill basketball trip to Cuba, arranged through the efforts of SDSU Sports Information Director David Martin in collaboration with Senators George McGovern and James Abourezk. The collection spans 1975 to 1977 and contains correspondence, proposals, rosters, press lists, programs, newspaper clippings, and post-trip reports that highlight the extensive planning and political considerations involved.
Photographs and slides provide visual documentation of the South Dakota State University and University of South Dakota basketball players in competition with the Cuban National Basketball Team, as well as images of cultural exchanges, ceremonies, and tours of Havana and other sites. The collection also includes depictions of American and Cuban players dining together, meetings with Cuban dignitaries such as Fidel and Raúl Castro, and the participation of Senators McGovern and Abourezk.
This collection documents a unique Cold War–era sports diplomacy initiative that used basketball as a vehicle for cultural exchange during a period of strained U.S.-Cuba relations. It illustrates the role of South Dakota institutions and leaders in international outreach and highlights the intersection of athletics, politics, and diplomacy. The photographs and correspondence provide rare firsthand evidence of citizen and cultural diplomacy efforts during the 1970s, showcasing the symbolic importance of athletic competition in fostering dialogue across political divides.