1969 was a volatile year, with Vietnam War protests and the civil rights movement gaining full steam. In the spring of 1969, Nagel dismissed two black players from the team for disciplinary reasons. This played a role in motivating 16 black players to ignore Nagel's repeated warnings and boycott spring practice. Nagel immediately dismissed the 16 players from the team. That summer, Nagel allowed the dismissed athletes to appeal to the team for reinstatement. The team allowed seven of the twelve athletes who appealed for reinstatement to rejoin the squad.