African Americans in Sports

From boxer Tom Molineaux's first championship bout in 1810, to Althea Gibson's stunning victories at the U.S Open and Wimbeldon in 1957, to Barry Bonds's record-breaking 73 home runs in 2001 and Emmet Smith's shattering of the all-time football rushing record in 2002, African-Americans have played a major role in American sports for two centuries. Their contributions have also had a major role in transforming race relations in America. This two volume set features more than 400 articles on African-Americans in sports, including biographical entries, as well as entries on events, tournaments, leagues, clubs, films, associations, and more. The entries cover all professional, amateur, and college sports, from the well known (and lesser known) personalities in baseball, basketball, football, and track and field, to less traditionally examined areas such as golf, tennis, horse and sports car racing, bowling, and many others. Authoritative, well written, and accessible, this definitive reference set provides the most complete picture of African-American atheletes available.