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First High School Football Game
Occurred in 1894 in Massillon Ohio. -
Public Schools Athletic League
The first organized sports league for boys began in New York City. -
George Poage
(November 6, 1880 – April 11, 1962) First African American to participate in the Olympic Games, and first to win a medal -
Jack Johnson
(March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946) Became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion, reigning from 1908 to1915. Considered one of the most dominate boxing champions of the time. -
Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall
First African American players allowed to play in the National Football League in 1920. -
Gertrude Ederle
(October 23, 1905 – November 30, 2003) Became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. -
Helen Wills
(October 6, 1905 – January 1, 1998), Held the top position in women's tennis for a total of nine years: 1927–1933, 1935 and 1938. Won 31 Grand Slam tournament titles during her career. -
Junior Football Conference
The first youth football league. Founded in 1929 in Philadelphia by Joseph J. Tomlin. Now known as Pop Warner Football. -
Mildred "Babe" Didrikson
(June 26, 1911 – September 27, 1956) Won two gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Summer Olympics. Then transitioned to professional golf and won 10 LPGA major championships. She is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. -
Effa Manley
(March 27, 1897 – April 16, 1981) Co-owned the Newark Eagles baseball franchise from 1935 to 1948. In 2006, posthumously became the first (and only) woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for her work as an executive. -
Tidye Pickett
(November 3, 1914 – November 17, 1986) Represented the United States in the 80-meter hurdles at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Became the first African-American woman to compete in the Olympic Games -
Joe Lewis
(May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), Professional boxer who reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949. Considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. -
Little League Baseball
Founded by Carl Stotz in 1939. Now there are more than 200,000 Little League teams in existence. -
Woody Strode
(July 25, 1914 – December 31, 1994) One of the first Black American players in the National Football League in the post World War II era. -
Wataru "Wat" Misaka
(December 21, 1923 – November 20, 2019) Became the first non-white player and the first player of Asian descent to play in the National Basketball Association in 1947. -
Jackie Robinson
(January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) Became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era on April 15, 1947, signaling the end of racial segregation in professional baseball. -
Vicki Draves
(December 31, 1924 – April 11, 2010) became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal by placing first in the women's three-meter springboard. -
Lawrence Kwong
(June 17, 1923 – March 15, 2018) First non-white and Asian-descent player in the National Hockey League -
Althea Gibson
(August 25, 1927 – September 28, 2003) One of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. Became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title in 1956. Voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in 1965 and 1958. -
Wilma Rudolph
(June 23, 1940 – November 12, 1994) Competed in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. In 1960 she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games. -
Charlie Sifford
(June 2, 1922 – February 3, 2015) First African American golfer to play on the PGA Tour. -
American Youth Soccer Organization
Formed in 1964. Has become on of the largest youth sports organizations in the world. -
Roberto Clemente
(August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) First Latin American and Caribbean player to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. -
Billie Jean King
(November 22, 1943 - Present) won a record 20 Wimbledon titles over 18 years. In 1973, won the "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs. -
Janet Guthrie
(March 7,1938- Present)First woman to earn a starting spot in both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. -
Ann Drysdale
(March 26, 1955 - Present) Became the first woman to sign an NBA in 1979. Later became the first woman to broadcast an NBA game as a color commentator . -
Julie Krone
(July 24, 1963 - Present) Became the first female jockey to win a riding title at a major track in 1987. Later became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race in 1993. -
St. Patrick’s Day Massacre
Occurred during a game between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. Considered one of the worst brawls in NHL history. Resulted in 12 ejections, 24 minor penalties, 12 major penalties, and 17 misconduct penalties for a total of 278 penalty minutes. -
Manon Rheaume
(February 24, 1972 - Present) Became the first woman to play in any of the four major North American sports when she played a period in goal for the Tampa Bay Lightning during an exhibition game. -
Tonya Harding hires a goon to injure Nancy Kerrigan
Figure skater Tonya Harding hired a "hitman" to injure her rival Nancy Kerrigan's leg the day before the U.S. Figure Skating Championship. Tonya was prosecuted for her role in the attack and was essentially banned from all future figure skating competitions. -
Andres Escobar Killed
Colombian defender was killed after he scored an own goal during a 1994 World Cup match versus the United States. -
Mike Tyson bites Evander Holyfield
Referred to as "the Bite Fight" or "the Bite of '97". During their match for the heavy weight championship, Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear. Tyson was disqualified from the match and lost his boxing license temporarily. -
Malice in the Palace
Occurred during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. Considered the worst brawl in NBA history and one of the worst brawls in sports. Resulted in five players and five fans being charged with assault and the suspension of nine players for a total of 146 games