Arthur Buttons Speakes

Sonny Allen

Sonny Allen (1936-2020) was the men’s basketball coach at Old Dominion University (ODU) from 1965 to 1975, after long-time basketball coach Arthur “Bud” Metheny stepped down. Allen is credited from raising the awareness of ODU basketball from a small, rag-tag team to national prominence as an NCAA Division II powerhouse. Personal History Allen grew up… read more »

Arthur “Buttons” Speakes

Arthur “Buttons” Speakes was the first African American athlete to be recruited by and receive a scholarship from a predominately white college in Virginia. Old Dominion Accomplishments Speakes was one of the best all-around athletes who ever came to Old Dominion University (ODU). Speakes excelled at both baseball and basketball from 1965 to 1969. An… read more »

Sidebar