February 29, 1984 Cullen Jones, Olympic Gold medal winning freestyle sprint swimmer, was born in New York City, but grew up in Irvington, New Jersey. Jones learned to swim after he nearly drowned when he was five years old. He turned professional in 2006 and swam a leg in the world record breaking 4 by […]
"Olympic"
February 19th in African American History – Ollie Genoa Matson II
February 19, 2011 Ollie Genoa Matson II, hall of fame football player, died. Matson was born May 1, 1930 in Trinity, Texas. He played college football at the University of San Francisco and in 1951 led the nation in rushing yardage and touchdowns and was named an All-American.
February 12th in African American History – William Felton “Bill” Russell
February 12, 1934 William Felton “Bill” Russell, hall of fame basketball player and author, was born West Monroe, Louisiana, but raised in Oakland, California. Russell led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 and also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956.
January 24th in African American History – Flora Jean “Flo” Hyman
January 24, 1986 Flora Jean “Flo” Hyman, Olympic and professional volleyball player, died. Hyman was born July 31, 1954 in Inglewood, California. By the time she was 17, she had reached 6 feet 5 inches in height. Hyman attended the University of Houston as that school’s first female scholarship athlete and was a three-time All-American […]
January 10th in African American History – Chandra Danette Cheeseborough
January 10, 1959 Chandra Danette Cheeseborough, hall of fame track and field athlete, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Cheeseborough broke onto the international track scene at the age of 16 by winning two Gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games. In 1976, she set the American junior record in the 100-meter race.
January 3rd in African American History – Cheryl D. Miller
January 3, 1962 Cheryl D. Miller, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Riverside, California. Miller was an outstanding basketball player in high school. She was the first player, male or female, to be named an All-American by Parade Magazine four times, she was awarded the Dial Award as the national high school scholar/athlete […]
December 21st in African American History – Florence Delorez “Flo-Jo” Griffith-Joyner
December 21, 1959 Florence Delorez “Flo-Jo” Griffith-Joyner, hall of fame track and field athlete, was born in Los Angeles, California. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Griffith-Joyner won the Silver medal in the 200 meter race and at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games she won the Gold medal in the 100 and 200 meter […]