November 6, 1947 George Lawrence “Larry” James, hall of fame track and field athlete, was born in Mount Pleasant, New York. James started running track in the seventh grade and was a double medalist at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. He won the Silver medal in the 400 meter race and the Gold medal […]
Archive | Sports RSS feed for this section
November 5th in African American History – Kellen Boswell Winslow
November 5, 1957 Kellen Boswell Winslow, hall of fame football player, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Winslow played college football at the University of Missouri and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in counseling psychology. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 1979 NFL Draft and over his nine season professional […]
November 2nd in African American History – Toni Stone
November 2, 1996 Toni Stone, the first woman to play Negro League baseball, died. Stone was born Marcenia Lyle on July 17, 1921 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She began playing baseball at the age of ten and by the age of 15 was playing for a men’s semi-professional team. During World War II, she moved […]
October 31st in African American History – Earl Francis “Big Cat” Lloyd
October 31, 1950 Earl Francis “Big Cat” Lloyd became the first African American to play in a National Basketball Association game. Lloyd was born April 3, 1928 in Alexandria, Virginia. He played collegiate basketball at West Virginia State College where he was a two-time All-American and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education […]
October 28th in African American History – Leonard Randolph “Lenny” Wilkins
October 28, 1937 Leonard Randolph “Lenny” Wilkins, hall of fame basketball player and coach, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Wilkins was a two time All-American at Providence College and when he graduated with a degree in economics he was second highest scorer in the college’s history. Providence retired his jersey number in 1996, making […]
October 23rd in African American History – Edison Arantes de Nascimento (Pele)
October 23, 1940 Edison Arantes de Nascimento (Pele), one of the greatest soccer players of all time, was born in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. Pele began playing for the Brazilian national soccer team at 16 and won his first World Cup, the international championship of soccer, at 17. Pele’s technique and athleticism has been universally praised […]
October 22nd in African American History – Henry Armstrong
October 22, 1988 Henry Armstrong, the first boxer to hold world titles in three weight classes at the same time, died. Armstrong was born Henry Jackson, Jr. on December 2, 1912 in Columbus, Mississippi. He assumed the surname of his mentor and trainer, Harry Armstrong, in 1931. Because the fight purses were small, Armstrong usually […]