in hopes of putting things in perspective. Thought some here might find it of interest so here it is! I know many here already know the Trice story from our resident historian but I was fascinated to discover the history of Frank Holbrook who played for Iowa.
A little known fact...at least nationally, and one that certainly shines a very positive light on the state of Iowa, is that two of the earliest African Americans to play intercollegiate football came from our very own state Universities. The first, Frank Holbrook played for the University of Iowa in 1885-1886. Holbrook's participation was, to say the least, groundbreaking and courageous. In 1896 the University of Missouri demanded that Iowa play them without Holbrook...and Iowa refused. Holbrook came out to the field and faced horrific comments from the Mizzou fans of ‘kill the ******’....which he ignored. The Iowa team showed its mettle during the game "There was hardly a man on Iowa’s team who did not receive a cowardly blow from the Tigers. Several were hit while on the ground. One man received at least three blows from the fists of the Tigers. Not for ten seconds did one of Iowa’s men forget himself or lose his temper. At all times they placed themselves near and about Holbrook." Iowa won the game 12-0. Interestingly, the two teams would not play each other again until the 2010 Insight Bowl, which Iowa also won.
The second part of this story line is that of Jack Trice, who following in Holbrook's footsteps played for ISU in 1922-1923. In a plot line similar to that faced by Holbrook, Trice went into a game against the University of Minnesota facing ferocious racial animus...in what was considered progressive at the time, Trice was allowed to stay at the same hotel as his teammates though he was denied the right to dine with them that evening. That night, Trice penned a letter to his family...found in his luggage the following day...stating My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will! My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break through the opponents' line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good. Jack.
In the Minnesota game, Trice was repeatedly struck, kicked and abused. On the 2nd play of the game his collar bone was broken but he still refused to be sidelined. In the 3rd quarter after attempting a tackle, he was deliberately trampled by no less than 3 Minnesota players. After the trampling, he was carried from the game and taken to a nearby hospital where a doctor declared him fit to travel with his team back to Iowa. Two days later, he died in a hospital from hemorrhaged lungs and internal bleeding. 4000 students attended his funeral and his coffin was draped in Cardinal and Gold, the colors of his beloved Cyclones.
Anyways, some had questioned what kind of stories and coverage might be featured should College Game Day show up in Ames for the Iowa-ISU rivalry matchup...and my only point is that both schools have much to be proud of and to showcase. Few universities can match the legacy of both our schools when it comes to men like Trice and Holbrook...and I can't imagine a more important topic in the midst of our modern troubles.
A little known fact...at least nationally, and one that certainly shines a very positive light on the state of Iowa, is that two of the earliest African Americans to play intercollegiate football came from our very own state Universities. The first, Frank Holbrook played for the University of Iowa in 1885-1886. Holbrook's participation was, to say the least, groundbreaking and courageous. In 1896 the University of Missouri demanded that Iowa play them without Holbrook...and Iowa refused. Holbrook came out to the field and faced horrific comments from the Mizzou fans of ‘kill the ******’....which he ignored. The Iowa team showed its mettle during the game "There was hardly a man on Iowa’s team who did not receive a cowardly blow from the Tigers. Several were hit while on the ground. One man received at least three blows from the fists of the Tigers. Not for ten seconds did one of Iowa’s men forget himself or lose his temper. At all times they placed themselves near and about Holbrook." Iowa won the game 12-0. Interestingly, the two teams would not play each other again until the 2010 Insight Bowl, which Iowa also won.
The second part of this story line is that of Jack Trice, who following in Holbrook's footsteps played for ISU in 1922-1923. In a plot line similar to that faced by Holbrook, Trice went into a game against the University of Minnesota facing ferocious racial animus...in what was considered progressive at the time, Trice was allowed to stay at the same hotel as his teammates though he was denied the right to dine with them that evening. That night, Trice penned a letter to his family...found in his luggage the following day...stating My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will! My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break through the opponents' line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good. Jack.
In the Minnesota game, Trice was repeatedly struck, kicked and abused. On the 2nd play of the game his collar bone was broken but he still refused to be sidelined. In the 3rd quarter after attempting a tackle, he was deliberately trampled by no less than 3 Minnesota players. After the trampling, he was carried from the game and taken to a nearby hospital where a doctor declared him fit to travel with his team back to Iowa. Two days later, he died in a hospital from hemorrhaged lungs and internal bleeding. 4000 students attended his funeral and his coffin was draped in Cardinal and Gold, the colors of his beloved Cyclones.
Anyways, some had questioned what kind of stories and coverage might be featured should College Game Day show up in Ames for the Iowa-ISU rivalry matchup...and my only point is that both schools have much to be proud of and to showcase. Few universities can match the legacy of both our schools when it comes to men like Trice and Holbrook...and I can't imagine a more important topic in the midst of our modern troubles.
