Celebrating Groundbreakers In February
02/01/21 | General, @GoDucksMoseley, BEOREGON
The UO athletics department will recognize Black History Month with several events to both celebrate and educate.
The Oregon athletics department will celebrate "Groundbreakers" from throughout UO athletics history during the month of February, in recognition of Black History Month.
Programming on athletics social-media channels and on several panel discussions held virtually throughout the month will both celebrate past achievements and provide education on past and existing climates for Black student-athletes competing at Oregon, to translate the energy social justice issues gained last summer from a moment to a movement.
Portland natives Bobby Robinson and Chuck Williams were Oregon's first Black student-athletes, playing for the football team in 1927, with Robinson starting that season's opening game at quarterback. Georgene Rose joined the track and field program in 1975, becoming the first Black woman to compete for the Ducks in varsity athletics.
Team social-media accounts will highlight those and other athletic department "Groundbreakers" in each sport Monday, kicking off Black History Month. Throughout the month, the BEOREGON accounts will also acknowledge groundbreaking moments in UO athletics history, along with educational materials.
Those materials will include historical reflections on the experience of Black Americans, along with contributions to the arts and in the local business community. Faculty and student-athletes will contribute features on the cultural importance of the Black family.
Staff and student-athletes also will participate in panel discussions throughout February, some for their colleagues within the athletic department and some welcoming an audience from the community at large. A "Ducks Go Pro" panel will discuss empowerment opportunities for Black Americans in the work force, and former UO men's basketball player Orlando Williams will facilitate a discussion late in the month on the experience of Black student-athletes in the community of Eugene-Springfield over the years.
In addition, former UO track and field star Raevyn Rogers will participate in a Pac-12 Conference virtual panel Wednesday in recognition of National Girls and Women in Sport Day. That event is titled "Black Girl Magic," recognizing and celebrating Black student-athletes, alumni and campus leaders who have excelled, pioneered and inspired throughout the history of the Pac-12.
Programming on athletics social-media channels and on several panel discussions held virtually throughout the month will both celebrate past achievements and provide education on past and existing climates for Black student-athletes competing at Oregon, to translate the energy social justice issues gained last summer from a moment to a movement.
Portland natives Bobby Robinson and Chuck Williams were Oregon's first Black student-athletes, playing for the football team in 1927, with Robinson starting that season's opening game at quarterback. Georgene Rose joined the track and field program in 1975, becoming the first Black woman to compete for the Ducks in varsity athletics.
Team social-media accounts will highlight those and other athletic department "Groundbreakers" in each sport Monday, kicking off Black History Month. Throughout the month, the BEOREGON accounts will also acknowledge groundbreaking moments in UO athletics history, along with educational materials.
Those materials will include historical reflections on the experience of Black Americans, along with contributions to the arts and in the local business community. Faculty and student-athletes will contribute features on the cultural importance of the Black family.
Staff and student-athletes also will participate in panel discussions throughout February, some for their colleagues within the athletic department and some welcoming an audience from the community at large. A "Ducks Go Pro" panel will discuss empowerment opportunities for Black Americans in the work force, and former UO men's basketball player Orlando Williams will facilitate a discussion late in the month on the experience of Black student-athletes in the community of Eugene-Springfield over the years.
In addition, former UO track and field star Raevyn Rogers will participate in a Pac-12 Conference virtual panel Wednesday in recognition of National Girls and Women in Sport Day. That event is titled "Black Girl Magic," recognizing and celebrating Black student-athletes, alumni and campus leaders who have excelled, pioneered and inspired throughout the history of the Pac-12.
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