The Black Bruins chronicles the inspirational lives of five African American athletes who faced racial discrimination as teammates at UCLA in the late 1930s. Best known among them was Jackie Robinson, a four‐star athlete for the Bruins who went on to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball and become a leader in the civil rights movement after his retirement. Joining him were Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, Ray Bartlett, and Tom Bradley—the four played starring roles in an era when fewer than a dozen major colleges had black players on their rosters. This rejection of the “gentleman’s agreement,” which kept teams from fielding black players against all-white teams, inspired black Angelinos and the African American press to adopt the teammates as their own. Kenny Washington became the first African American player to sign with an NFL team in the post–World War II era and later became a Los Angeles police officer and actor. Woody Strode, a Bruins football and track star, broke into the NFL with Washington in 1946 as a Los Angeles Ram and went on to act in at least fifty‐seven full-length feature films. Ray Bartlett, a football, basketball, baseball, and track athlete, became the second African American to join the Pasadena Police Department, later donating his time to civic affairs and charity. Tom Bradley, a runner for the Bruins’ track team, spent twenty years fighting racial discrimination in the Los Angeles Police Department before being elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles.
"The intertwined story of five influential African American athletes who came together as teammates at UCLA in the 1930s"--
This stunning collection of photographs, magical moments, and commentary from the last four decades will be sure to bring back memories for every Bruins fan who bleeds black and gold.
Chapter authors in this book critically synthesize relevant research, illuminate interdisciplinary perspectives, and interrogate how current issues of power and oppression shape participatory democracy and higher education at large.
Breaking the Ice: The Black Experience in Professional Hockey is the first book to tell the unique stories of black hockey players - how they overcame or succumbed to racial and cultural prejudices to play Canada's favourite pastime.
An inspiring memoir that shows that anyone can achieve their dreams if they are willing to fight for them. In 1958, Willie O'Ree was a lot like any other player toiling in the minors. He was good.
This new book by Nicole Mortillaro traces the early life of O'Ree in Fredericton, New Brunswick, his journey to the NHL, highlights from his hockey career, and his work encouraging diversity in the NHL. [Fry reading level - 4.9]
Every day I am inspired by the story of UCLA and I see its history as a collective, living legacy that we all share." Marina Dundjerski '94, Author'The book is indeed beautiful. Thank you so much for all the work that went into it.
I highly recommend it. --Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight
Whether you were there for the glory days of John Wooden or are a more recent fan of Josh Rosen, this is the ultimate resource guide for all Bruins faithful.
The Big 50: Boston Bruins: The Men and Moments that Made the Boston Bruins is an amazing, full-color look at the 50 men and moments that made the Bruins the Bruins.