State Historical Society of Iowa

"The Life and Legacy of Jack Trice" Essay from The Annals of Iowa, 2010

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Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Schwieder, Dorothy, The Annals of Iowa, Vol. 69, No. 4, pp. 379-418, 2010

Description

This Annals of Iowa essay is a written account by Dorothy Schwieder, a retired history professor from Iowa State University (ISU), that details the life of Jack Trice, Iowa State's first African-American athlete and one of the first African-American athletes to play for a major college in the U.S. Trice tragically died in 1923 as a result of an injury he suffered during his second game for the football team against the University of Minnesota. This account highlights the hurdles Trice faced on and off the field, the events preceding his fatal injuries and the effort made after his death to recognize his story among students at ISU.

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Source Dependent Questions

  • What were some of the unique circumstances Jack Trice faced both on and off the field at Iowa State College between 1922 and 23?
  • While S.W. Beyer wrote in support of Jack Trice, how did Trice's treatment as a student at ISC contradict this support?
  • How did other colleges that played against Iowa State College treat both the game and, specifically, Jack Trice? How did Iowa Universities treat black players prior to 1922?
  • After reading about the details of Jack Trice's last football game, read the letter he wrote the night before the game. What resonates with you about his letter, the description of the game, and his medical treatment?
  • Was Jack Trice's career (and his death as a result of injuries on the field) significant to the rest of the nation and collegiate sports?

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