African Americans in Sports

Wiggins (George Mason University) combines biographical entries on African Americans athletes, coaches, managers, executives, and sports writers with entries on specific sports, organizations, and issues related to African Americans in sports in this two-volume encyclopedia for young adult and general readers. The selection of entries is based on significance to the African American experience in sport and potential appeal to both the lay public and an academic audience. B&w photos accompany many biographical entries. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-More than biographical references, these sets also include essays on cultural themes, institutions, teams, and sport history. Native Americans profiles nearly 200 past and present athletes and key personnel in sports ranging from archery to wrestling. Jim Thorpe, Will Rogers, Cory Witherill, Johnny Bench, and other readily identifiable names accompany such lesser-known athletes as Olympian runner Louis Tewanima, skier Shirley Firth, and lacrosse player Barry Powless. Each article includes information on the athlete's tribal heritage, early life, accomplishments, cultural impact, and an occasional black-and-white photograph. The entry on SuAnne Big Crow, a legendary Lakota high school athlete, is inspirational. Essays on "Mascot Controversy," "Lacrosse," "Gambling," and "Competition Powwows" are fascinating and fall in alphabetically among the profiles. African Americans contains fewer cultural articles but nearly 400 individual profiles. It includes professional and college athletes, Olympians, Heisman Trophy winners, All-Americans, coaches, and sportswriters. Volleyball, rodeo, cycling, horse racing, and golf are featured, though not as predominately as basketball, football, and track and field. Students may prefer Nathan Aaseng's African-American Athletes (Facts On File, 2003) for more comprehensive articles on well-known figures. These resources will be valued for their scope and the essays on the development of individual sports that offer a historical look at the racial indignities and prejudices suffered by many gifted athletes.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.