Dr. James Cash Retires from Microsoft Board

This might not seem like big news at first glance, but it's important to your editor. So, indulge us. Dr. James Cash, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, will end his tenure as a Microsoft board member (on friendly terms; no controversy here) on Nov. 19.  

Dr. Cash is a remarkably accomplished man, who still sits on the boards of lots of big companies and carries a lot of influence in the business world. What most folks might not realize, though, is that he's part of the Boston Celtics' ownership group. But well beyond that, James Cash was the first African-American to play basketball in the old Southwest Conference and one of the conference's first African-American athletes, period.

And where did he play ball? At Texas Christian University, your editor's alma mater. In fact, he led TCU's traditionally (and sadly, still) mediocre basketball program to the Southwest Conference championship in 1967-'68 and to a first-round upset win over Kansas State in that year's NCAA tournament.

So, from one Horned Frog to another, congratulations, Dr. Cash, on a successful stay on Microsoft's board, and best wishes in your continued endeavors. You are an inspiring figure. (Also, if you want to throw some Celtics tickets a fellow Horned Frog's way, your editor wouldn't say no. Go Frogs!)

Posted by Lee Pender on September 17, 2009 at 11:55 AM