JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4JAX is showcasing local Black business owners during our Black History Month coverage.
LIST: Local Black-owned businesses in Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia
One local business owner made history as the first African American to own a professional sports team in Jacksonville.
Kevin Waters is the owner and president of the Jacksonville 95ers, a semi-pro basketball team.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” he said. “I was going across the Acosta Bridge one time. I just kind of looked over to the left. That is when we had The Landing and had all of those attractions downtown. I said one day, I am going to do something major here in the city. That has stayed in my head and in my heart all these years.”
The 95ers, who play their home games at Edward Waters University, begin the regular season at the beginning of March.
Playing at the university is a full-circle moment for Waters, who says the school played a pivotal role in his coaching career and eventual team ownership.
Waters, who is from Atlanta, moved to Jacksonville toward the end of college. He graduated from Edward Waters University (which was then Edward Waters College).
Before he graduated from EWC, Waters played college ball at Virginia Wesleyan Community College, where he was a standout point guard.
He contributed to the team winning a state title and was named offensive player of the year.
He also played at Fisk University, where he led the team in assists and three-point shots made.
Waters played professionally in the International Basketball League with the Charlotte Royals, then got his start in coaching at Edward Waters University as an assistant coach.
Waters held the same title at Kennesaw State University when the team won a national NCAA Division II championship in 2003.
“It was a very exciting time for me,” he said. “I learned a lot about coaching. I learned a lot about the mindset to have to be a championship coach and I allowed that to follow me in my coaching career.”
Waters was later named head basketball coach of the women’s basketball team at Murray State University in Kentucky.
In 2008, Waters became the owner and head coach of the Jacksonville Bluewaves in the World Basketball Association, making him the first African American to own a pro sports team in the city.
Waters became the first African American to win an American Basketball Association (ABA) championship as a head coach when he took the Jacksonville Giants to the championship.
He was the head coach and general manager of the semi-pro Giants, who won three national championships in the ABA during his tenure.
Now, he wants to do the same with his current squad.
“I had a love for Jacksonville,” Waters said. “I won a few championships with the previous professional basketball team here. I look forward to continuing to grow here. I look forward to continuing to bring other championship teams here to Jacksonville.”
Waters said he sees owning a team as a community commitment.
“I look at being the owner as me giving back to the community,” Waters said. “It is what I love. It is my passion as far as basketball.”
And he doesn’t want it to stop with him.
“I want to be able to be an example for others,” he said. “It does not matter your background. It does not matter where you came from. If you have the dedication and you put God first to work on your craft, become better and do it from a heartfelt standpoint, you can achieve the things that you want to in life.”
The 95ers are entering their second year playing in “The Basketball League,” an association that has had plenty of success, including having several players make the jump to the NBA and the G League.
One of those success stories is Kylor Kelley, who recently made his debut with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract.
Waters also gives back to the community through the Kevin Waters Basketball Academy. He hosts several basketball clinics every year and other events.
He hosts seminars for kids to see options beyond the court, including classes that teach participants about management and ownership.