http://www.sloh.org/duke-athletics/
African American Athletes Win in Lacrosse
In 1953 the Brooklyn Dodgers made history by starting five players of African origin (Jackie Robinson U.S. Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe and Jim Gilliam, Sandy Amoros well as Cuba). It was the first time that more than half the players starting on a major league baseball were black.
Last year a similar moment occurred in collegiate lacrosse when the Baltimore Sun reported that Virginia sent a midfield consisting of all African-American athletes for about 30 seconds in the third quarter to Rhamel Bratton scored a goal and the lines were changed.
Drew Pannell and Ryland are both Huyghue founding members of the International Lacrosse Diversity Council (CIDL). According to the Sun, CIDL, founded in 2007, provides services and programs that impact city domestic and other underserved communities.
"There is great importance here," said Huyghue the sun. "The fact is that fewer than two percent of athletes African-Americans playing the sport of lacrosse. Displays the sport has no boundaries of color and anyone of any background can play the game and play well. It also shows that coach is looking to them as athletes who have confidence in getting the job done. What happened in the field on Saturday was a breakthrough in the sport of lacrosse. "
When Americans, many people think in their minds flash back in lacrosse case Duke lacrosse rape which ended in charges against the players severe sanctions against defendants and the local prosecutor for misconduct. In this case, the alleged victim was black, the accused were Caucasian, and there was an African American athlete the computer.
At the level of coverage, the Duke of African American athlete and lacrosse player Devon Sherwood came forward and told his fellow ABC News whites were being stereotyped and have been victims of reverse discrimination. Sherwood also said members of the black community in Durham accused him of selling-on the run Duke due to his scholarship and his position in the traditionally white sport. "It's terrible to find yourself being stereotyped," Sherwood told ABC News, "regardless who you are. "
Major League Lacrosse says athletes African American participation in sport is growing. Former All-Star goalie Bill Daye, an African American who had to withdraw due to a neck injury, is optimistic about the progress he has seen.
"I think it's great lacrosse players for most African-Americans are involved and that has made the game more diverse, "said Daye." When I started playing me was one of few black athletes participating and sometimes I took some heat for it because it was intended as a sport in which only white athletes participated.
"Simply I loved the game as I am sure other African American players have. For this reason alone that it should not matter what color your skin is no more than how to take out when you step on the field. "John Daye cited particular Christmas, Damien Davis and Kyle Harrison as examples of African American Athletes can achieve as prejudices and falling barriers and more opportunities are realized. "I hope that will pave the way for more black lacrosse players to follow," he said.
"Lacrosse has never had a platform like the NBA, NFL or Major League Baseball," said Joshua Christian, Director General of Sports Development in the U.S. Lacrosse. "Lacrosse not iconic figures like Michael Jordan. The general public has not been exposed to it. There is no identifiable heroes. "
In fact, the highest lacrosse big is best known for playing football, Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown. Brown was a lacrosse All-American twice in the Syracuse University 1954-1957. Brown is considered by many as the greatest ever to play the game and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1983.
As his profile rises lacrosse and Africa American athletes emerge as stars, the participation of African Americans will grow. As demonstrated by more than 60 years, the need to win and reward to follow the will to overcome any need to exclude.
About the Author
Paul Hirsch is a writer for
; Regal Black Mens Magazine
For more information on this subject visit our
; Sports Section
To read about
; African American athletes
Virginia Men’s Lacrosse vs. Duke