Jack Trice

Jack Trice was an American college football player for the Iowa State Cyclones and the first African American athlete at Iowa State University. His career was tragically cut short when he died from injuries sustained in a game against the University of Minnesota in 1923. Trice's legacy is preserved as a powerful symbol of courage and perseverance, most notably through the naming of Jack Trice Stadium, the first major Division I stadium named for an African American.

Early life and education

John G. "Jack" Trice was born in Hiroshima, Japan, where his father, a Buffalo Soldier, was stationed. After his father's death, his mother moved the family to Columbus, Ohio. Trice excelled academically and athletically at East High School, where he was a standout football player and track athlete. His high school coach, Sam Willaman, who later became the head coach at Iowa State University, recruited Trice to play for the Cyclones. Trice enrolled at Iowa State University in 1922 to study animal husbandry, aiming to use his education to help African Americans in the South.

Football career at Iowa State

Trice joined the Iowa State Cyclones football team under head coach Sam Willaman in 1923. As the team's first African American player, he faced significant racial prejudice, both from opponents and within the constraints of Jim Crow laws that affected team travel and lodging. He played as a tackle. On October 6, 1923, Trice played in his second varsity game against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis. During the game, he suffered severe injuries, including a broken collarbone, but continued to play. A famous letter, written to himself on hotel stationery the night before the game, expressed his determination to bring honor to his race and family.

Death and legacy

After returning to Iowa City by train following the game, Trice was hospitalized at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He died on October 8, 1923, from internal injuries and complications, officially attributed to hemorrhaged lungs and peritonitis. His funeral in Columbus, Ohio, drew large crowds, and he was buried in an unmarked grave in Union Cemetery. The official response from the University of Minnesota and the Big Ten Conference was minimal, reflecting the racial attitudes of the era. Trice's death became a rallying point for students and activists at Iowa State University who sought to honor his memory for decades.

Memorials and honors

The campaign to memorialize Trice began soon after his death, leading to the dedication of a memorial plaque on campus in 1924. In 1973, students successfully petitioned to have the new stadium named Jack Trice Stadium, which officially opened in 1975. A bronze statue of Trice was erected outside the stadium in 1988. In 1997, the stadium's playing surface was named Jack Trice Field. The Iowa Board of Regents made the stadium naming permanent in 1997. Further honors include induction into the Iowa State University Athletics Hall of Fame and the naming of the Jack Trice Award, given to an outstanding minority student-athlete at the university.

Cultural impact

Jack Trice's story transcends sports, symbolizing the struggle against racial segregation in the early 20th century. His legacy is taught in courses on African-American history and sports history at Iowa State University. The story of the student movement to name Jack Trice Stadium is a notable example of campus activism. Trice has been featured in documentaries, books, and articles, including works by the Des Moines Register. His legacy is invoked in discussions about racial equality in college football and the NCAA. The continued reverence for his name at Iowa State University ensures his role as an enduring icon of integrity and sacrifice in the face of adversity. Category:1902 births Category:1923 deaths Category:American football players Category:Iowa State University alumni Category:People from Columbus, Ohio