Jerry Harkness was inspired by Jackie Robinson to take up the game of basketball. He ended up becoming a civil rights trailblazer in his own right. Following a path paved by Major League Baseball’s first black player, Harkness led Loyola Chicago to a barrier-breaking national championship in basketball in 1963 and a was pioneer well after his playing career. The school announced Harkness died Tuesday morning at 81 after a long life of breaking through boundaries and one big Game of Change. “All of us at Loyola have heavy hearts today,” Loyola coach Drew Valentine said in a statement. “Jerry was a true trailblazer not only in basketball, but in so many different walks of life, and the impact he made was immeasurable.” A two-time All-American at Loyola, Harkness was part of the 1963 team that won a national championship with four black starters and played in what became known …