Athletics

All-Sports Museum to screen baseball documentary on Little League and race

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In 1955 when racial segregation defined the South, two teams of 12-year-old boys stepped onto a baseball field in a non-violent act of cultural defiance that would change the course of history. Florida's 1955 Little League State Championship between the all-black Pensacola Jaycees and the all-white Orlando Kiwanis moved beyond fears, threats and the unknown to break with tradition and show the world what was possible – breaking the color line in youth sports.

Join the Penn State All-Sports Museum at 6 p.m. on March 12 for a free showing of the documentary, followed by a panel discussion with Abraham Khan and Mark Dyreson. Khan is an assistant professor of African-American studies and communication arts and sciences. Khan studies the contributions black athletes have made (and continue to make) to American democracy and political culture. Mark Dyreson is professor of kinesiology. Dyreson specializes in history of sport, particularly in race, ethnicity and gender in sport.

This event is free and open to the community. The museum is located at the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium opposite the Bryce Jordan Center. A long canopy leading from Curtain Road marks the museum entrance. Parking is in the adjacent Lot 44 with an appropriate parking pass. For more information or questions, please contact asmevents@psu.edu or 814-865-0044.

Last Updated February 26, 2019