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ISU's first black athleteSo they want to name a stadium after TriceJACK TRICENEW-FOUND HERO — The first black athlete at Iowa State University was Jack Trice, who died Oct. S. 1923, two days after he was injured in a game at Minnesota — his collegiate debut. An obscure plaque in his honor, found last year, led students and faculty to begin a movement to have the new $7.1 million 1SU stadium uamed after Trice, CAP Wire photo)AMES, Iowa (AP) - Jack Trice made the trip to Minnesota in 1923 knowing he would play in his first college football game. He couldn't know that three days later he would be dead.Trice was black. Prejudices of the day had already kept him from playing for Iowa State College in games at Nebraska and St. Louis.Rut now the team and coaches had rallied behind him. He was to be a starter.On the eve of the game, he sat in his Curtis Hotel room in Minneapolis and scribbled on hotel stationery: “My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life.”In that brief note of reminder he said, The honor of of my race, family and self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. 1 will.“My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field. Every time the b3ll is snapped. I will be trying to do more than my part. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the plav. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs.”Re on your toes every’ minute if '-on expect to make'good.”Newspaper accounts of the Oct. S. 1923 game said Minnesota was leading 14-10 in the third quarter and had possession of the ball.The next play was a crossbuck, one Trice had cautioned himself about. The Iowa State defensive line buckled and Trice rushed in. He stopped the play but landed on his back. Three charging Minnesota players ran over him.Newspapers said that as he was helped to the sidelines, Minnesota fans rose and chanted: “We're sorry. Ames, we’re sorry.”* Trice was returned to Ames in a Pullman railroad car—lying on a bed of straw—and was taken immediately to the school hospital.He died on Monday of hemorrhaging lungs and internal bleeding in the abdomen. He also suffered a broken shoulder blade.His personal note of inspiration was found in his jacket pocket the day he was buried.Trice was born in Hiram, Ohio, where he attended school through the eighth grade before the family moved to Cleveland.He came to Iowa State College (now University) in 1922 and was majoring in animal husbandry, carrying a grade average of 90. He and his wife. Cora Mae, worked part-time so he could stay in school.After his death a plaque in his honor was placed in the Old State Gym. It was covered with dust and bird droppings when it attracted the curiosity of English teacher Alan Reals in 1973. One of his classes tracked down the story behind the obscure plaque.Student and faculty support is growing today to name the new $7.1 million Iowa State stadium after Trice, said English teacher Charles Sohn, a backer of the move. The student Governing body voted unanimously for it.Students would now resent the naming of the stadium after someone surh as a large conlribulor.”
Newspaper Details
Journal News
Hamilton, Ohio, US
Sun, Jun 02, 1974
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 23 Jun 2020
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