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SOUTH BEND — After moving to South Bend from Muncie in July 2025, something became clear very quickly: the Black community in my new home is large, important and proud.
And it was something I, Kyle Smedley, wanted to write about.
Diving into the history of South Bend high school sports as I tried to familiarize myself with the area as quickly as possible, it also became clear that many of the city’s most accomplished athletes throughout history are Black. However, throughout conversations with prominent Black figures in the modern South Bend community, there was a common sentiment that the Black community has not felt properly represented in their own city despite being integral to South Bend’s past, present and future.
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While a white person may not be the most qualified to try and preserve and understand the 100-year history of South Bend’s Black high school athletes, the South Bend Tribune’s sports staff unfortunately does not have a more diverse option. As people often told me, ‘Someone has to do it.’
So, for nearly seven months, a four-part feature series covering the often-overlooked history and rich legacy of South Bend’s standout, Black high school athletes has been in the works. And it's ready to be shared with the South Bend Tribune readers starting Monday, July 20.
This project, however, is not about me. From January-July 2026, 19 interviews with prominent Black athletes spanning from the 1950s to the present were held, as well as a handful of other off-the-record conversations for guidance along the way. A special thanks should also go out to the athletic departments and principals at Adams, Riley and Washington, as well as Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) secretary Greg Humnicky, for help with contact information and historical photos.
The result was four feature stories to represent approximately four different generations of standout, Black South Bend high school athletes in as many different sports as possible. It would be impossible to mention every name or accomplishment, but every Black individual sport IHSAA state champion was recognized as were countless other standout athletes who etched their legacy in team sports.
These features will be released in chronological order, starting with a pre-1970s story online and in print Monday, July 20. Next will be a piece chronicling 1970-99, which will be online and in print Tuesday, July 21. Then, a story covering 2000-26 will be published online and in print Wednesday, July 22. Finally, a feature spotlighting one standout 2025-26 athlete from Adams, Riley, Saint Joseph and Washington will be online Thursday, July 23 and in print Sunday, July 26.
These stories are not meant to divide or exclude; they are meant to uplift, honor and preserve an important part of South Bend’s community, history and athletic scene.
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected] or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: History and legacy of South Bend's Black high school athletes to be chronicled
Continue reading...
And it was something I, Kyle Smedley, wanted to write about.
Diving into the history of South Bend high school sports as I tried to familiarize myself with the area as quickly as possible, it also became clear that many of the city’s most accomplished athletes throughout history are Black. However, throughout conversations with prominent Black figures in the modern South Bend community, there was a common sentiment that the Black community has not felt properly represented in their own city despite being integral to South Bend’s past, present and future.
More: 'This is beautiful.' Foundry Field hosts first games in Southeast Park
More: New mural at Foundry Field shows local Latino baseball stars and their community
While a white person may not be the most qualified to try and preserve and understand the 100-year history of South Bend’s Black high school athletes, the South Bend Tribune’s sports staff unfortunately does not have a more diverse option. As people often told me, ‘Someone has to do it.’
So, for nearly seven months, a four-part feature series covering the often-overlooked history and rich legacy of South Bend’s standout, Black high school athletes has been in the works. And it's ready to be shared with the South Bend Tribune readers starting Monday, July 20.
This project, however, is not about me. From January-July 2026, 19 interviews with prominent Black athletes spanning from the 1950s to the present were held, as well as a handful of other off-the-record conversations for guidance along the way. A special thanks should also go out to the athletic departments and principals at Adams, Riley and Washington, as well as Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) secretary Greg Humnicky, for help with contact information and historical photos.
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The result was four feature stories to represent approximately four different generations of standout, Black South Bend high school athletes in as many different sports as possible. It would be impossible to mention every name or accomplishment, but every Black individual sport IHSAA state champion was recognized as were countless other standout athletes who etched their legacy in team sports.
These features will be released in chronological order, starting with a pre-1970s story online and in print Monday, July 20. Next will be a piece chronicling 1970-99, which will be online and in print Tuesday, July 21. Then, a story covering 2000-26 will be published online and in print Wednesday, July 22. Finally, a feature spotlighting one standout 2025-26 athlete from Adams, Riley, Saint Joseph and Washington will be online Thursday, July 23 and in print Sunday, July 26.
These stories are not meant to divide or exclude; they are meant to uplift, honor and preserve an important part of South Bend’s community, history and athletic scene.
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected] or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: History and legacy of South Bend's Black high school athletes to be chronicled
Continue reading...
