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OSNABURG TWP., Ohio − The legend of William Powell stands tall nearly 16 years after his death.
For starters, there's a 7-foot statue in his hometown of Minerva, where he famously played on the unbeaten and unscored upon 1932 high school football team. His daughter, Renee Powell, said he would have appreciated the height of the monument because he often remarked how much he'd shrunk in his later years.
Then, of course, there's the golf course he built by hand in 1946, off the Lincoln Highway. Clearview Golf Club is the first African-American-owned-and-operated course in the country and it remains in the family.
William Powell also played a key role in a lesser-known but equally monumental piece of history.
In 1937, he golfed for the Wilberforce University golf team.
Racial segregation was the norm of that time and during a period when a historically Black College such as Wilberforce wasn't welcome to play matches against schools with white players.
"There was only one school who said that they would play them," explained Renee Powell, a former LPGA player and current operator of Clearview. "And that was Ohio Northern."
The schools played twice that year.
This year, she said, was a perfect time to pay homage to that groundbreaking match — to remember a 2002 reunion match between the two schools at Clearview, which happens to turn 80 years old this year.
The alumni event and luncheon on July 17 attracted 40 players, many with ties to Wilberforce, near Cincinnati, or Ohio Northern University, in Ada.
The Rev. Dr. John Freeman, a professor and dean of religious life at Wilberforce, played Clearview once before. It was 22 ago while in Canton for a revival.
He was unaware of the Wilberforce vs. Ohio Northern lore.
"I found out about a year ago," he said.
Some came to show support and respect for the historic interracial match, what William Powell and his family accomplished and barriers that have eroded over the years.
John Navin, dean of the college of business administration at Ohio Northern University, congratulated the Powell family.
"What your father did to build this golf course was amazing," he said.
Jayson Ameer Rasheed, Wilberforce compliance and sports information director, said the school is proud to be the first private Historically Black College. It was founded in 1856.
"Swing long, swing hard and may all your tee shots his a fairway," he told the group during opening comments.
He did, however, shank it left on his ceremonial opening tee shot.
"All right, it went forward!" Renee Powell cheered.
She'd coached him up beforehand — forward movement was their shared goal.
Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II brought a commemorative proclamation. State Rep. Matt Kishman, R-Minerva, brought two. He presented one of his own and another on behalf of Gov. Mike DeWine.
"Great cause," said Andre Springs, head golf coach at Livingstone College, near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Springs, a member of nine halls of fame and president of the Black College Golf Coaches Association, once caddied for Arnold Palmer.
"This is history," said William Ware, association treasurer and golf coach at Central State University.
Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or [email protected] X: @tbotosREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: This historic interracial college golf match was revisited at an Ohio golf club
Continue reading...
For starters, there's a 7-foot statue in his hometown of Minerva, where he famously played on the unbeaten and unscored upon 1932 high school football team. His daughter, Renee Powell, said he would have appreciated the height of the monument because he often remarked how much he'd shrunk in his later years.
Then, of course, there's the golf course he built by hand in 1946, off the Lincoln Highway. Clearview Golf Club is the first African-American-owned-and-operated course in the country and it remains in the family.
William Powell also played a key role in a lesser-known but equally monumental piece of history.
In 1937, he golfed for the Wilberforce University golf team.
Racial segregation was the norm of that time and during a period when a historically Black College such as Wilberforce wasn't welcome to play matches against schools with white players.
"There was only one school who said that they would play them," explained Renee Powell, a former LPGA player and current operator of Clearview. "And that was Ohio Northern."
The schools played twice that year.
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Happy anniversary, times two
This year, she said, was a perfect time to pay homage to that groundbreaking match — to remember a 2002 reunion match between the two schools at Clearview, which happens to turn 80 years old this year.
You must be registered for see images attach
The alumni event and luncheon on July 17 attracted 40 players, many with ties to Wilberforce, near Cincinnati, or Ohio Northern University, in Ada.
The Rev. Dr. John Freeman, a professor and dean of religious life at Wilberforce, played Clearview once before. It was 22 ago while in Canton for a revival.
You must be registered for see images attach
He was unaware of the Wilberforce vs. Ohio Northern lore.
"I found out about a year ago," he said.
History deserves to be respected
Some came to show support and respect for the historic interracial match, what William Powell and his family accomplished and barriers that have eroded over the years.
John Navin, dean of the college of business administration at Ohio Northern University, congratulated the Powell family.
You must be registered for see images attach
"What your father did to build this golf course was amazing," he said.
Jayson Ameer Rasheed, Wilberforce compliance and sports information director, said the school is proud to be the first private Historically Black College. It was founded in 1856.
"Swing long, swing hard and may all your tee shots his a fairway," he told the group during opening comments.
He did, however, shank it left on his ceremonial opening tee shot.
"All right, it went forward!" Renee Powell cheered.
She'd coached him up beforehand — forward movement was their shared goal.
You must be registered for see images attach
Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II brought a commemorative proclamation. State Rep. Matt Kishman, R-Minerva, brought two. He presented one of his own and another on behalf of Gov. Mike DeWine.
"Great cause," said Andre Springs, head golf coach at Livingstone College, near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Springs, a member of nine halls of fame and president of the Black College Golf Coaches Association, once caddied for Arnold Palmer.
"This is history," said William Ware, association treasurer and golf coach at Central State University.
Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or [email protected] X: @tbotosREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: This historic interracial college golf match was revisited at an Ohio golf club
Continue reading...
