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Pat Kinney's avatar

Great column John. May I add a few?

Frank Kinney Holbrook of Tipton, first Black athlete in what is now Division I FBS, led the Iowa Hawkeyes to their first conference football championship, in the 1890s. A running back, he was nearly mauled on the field in a game with Missouri but he and his white Hawkeye teammates fought off the assault.

Aundra Meeks was the first Black head coach to win an Iowa state football championship - in 2004 with Waterloo Columbus, when the Sailors topped Gilbert 41-0 for the Class 2A championship. Coach Meeks is now an assistant at Dowling. He also played at Columbus and was the school's athletics director.

Sasha Hyacinth, also competing for Waterloo Columbus, became the first Black individual state tennis champion in 2021, as a sophomore.

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John Naughton's avatar

Pat, thanks much for the additions! I recently read about Mr. Holbrook, what an interesting story. The Cedar Valley has a great tradition of Black athletes in many sports, even bowling. Jerry Moses and his extended family were a great part of the football scene for many decades. And Reggie Roby... Nina Smith... many more.

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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Great roundup, John. Thank you.

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John Naughton's avatar

Welcome, Kathi! Thanks for being a great supporter!

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