Looking back at desegregation in sports

By Thomas Fudge / Science and Technology Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published January 15, 2006 at 9:00 PM PST

This story was published more than 18 years ago.

Every American sport has its African American pioneers; in Major League baseball, it was Jackie Robinson. Host Tom Fudge speaks with local historians about the untold stories of race integration in sp

Every American sport has its African American pioneers; in Major League baseball, it was Jackie Robinson. Host Tom Fudge speaks with local historians about the untold stories of race integration in sports.

Originally aired on August 12, 2004

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Guests:

Willy O'Ree . The first black man to play for the National Hockey League. He played for the Boston Bruins in 1958 and 1961. He's now director of Youth Development for the NHL's Diversity program. He ended his professional hockey career in San Diego, playing for the San Diego Gulls and the San Diego Hawks.
Bill Swank . San Diego baseball historian. His latest book is called Baseball in San Diego: From the Padres to Petco.
Dave Wiggens , professor at George Mason University where he is the director of the School of Recreation, Health and Tourism. He has co-authored several books on the subject of race and sports, including The Unlevel Playing Field: A documentary history of the African American Experience in Sport.