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Show Wednesday, January 10, 1990 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Nine '57 Wimmbledom) champ to discuss sports changes Gibson still affecting sports world as pro golfer, N.J. State fitness adviser By Cathy W. Kelly Chronicle Staff Writer didn't like being a pioneer, because I . believed my abilities and talents were why I was there." The hardest thing about being an n athlete in the '50s, according to Gibson, was not being allowed to enter competitions. "Once I was entered and displayed my talents, I had no problems," she said. "I wasn't set up to represent any group," Gibson said. "I was a representative of myself, although it was an honor because I was black and I'm sure my people were joyous." All of New York City was joyous at Gibson's Wimbledon win and she was honored with a ticker-tap- e African-America- "I met the great Sugar Ray Robinson in a bowling alley in Harlem," Althea Gibson said from her home in New Jersey. "I saw him standing near the bowling balls. I was a brash young lady in those days and I said, 'I can beat you.'" And then she did. Gibson went on to become a . world champion, but not in bowling, although at one time she had an average of 200. It was in tennis where Althea Gibson made her mark. Althea Gibson was the first African-America- n to win Wimbledon. That was in 1957. "It was a glorious event for anyone, but particularly for me since I was the first black female to win Wimbledon," Gibson said. She is still the only black female to hold that title. Gibson will be one of the guest panelists at the University of Utah Thursday to speak on the subject of "Changes and Evolution in Sports: A Mirror of American Society." The discussion is in conjunction with the U.'s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Gibson was born in South Carolina and raised in New York City. From the time she was very young, she was athletic, learning paddleball, her pretennis warmup, on the streets of Harlem. Although the '50s were a turbulent time for civil rights, Gibson said she didn't let hecklers or the like get to her. "I couldn't afford to let anything bother me because I was out there to play tennis to win," she said. "The obstacles I had to overcome were being the first," Gibson said. "I Althea Gibson said she didn 't let hecklers get to her. "I couldn 't afford to let anything bother me because I was out there to play tennis to win, " she said. "The obstacles I had to overcome were being the first, " Gibson said. "I didn't like being a pioneer, because I believed my abilities and talents were why I was there." parade. "It's something you just can't explain to be heralded in such a city as New York," Gibson said. Sugar, Ray Robinson, world boxing great, in spite of his bowling loss to Gibson, gave her much support and encouragement, not only in sports, but in education and music as well Gibson was a high school dropout, and Robinson encouraged her to finish high school and go on to college. Gibson said Robinson also recognized her musical talent and gave her a tenor saxophone, which she played in college. "I loved the man," Gibson said. "He was a beautiful man." She graduated in 1953 from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College in Tallahassee, majoring in ' . jjjjr health and physical education. Gibson did some singing as well, debuting at the Waldorf-Astori- a Hotel with the W.C. Handy show. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan show twice in 1958 and wrote her autobiography, I Always Wanted to Be Somebody, published by Harper & Row, that same year. Gibson also acted with none other than John Wayne in the film The Horse Soldiers, directed by John Ford. She has also appeared on The Tonight Show, The Today Show and What's My Line. Gibson lives in New Jersey and serves as a member of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in that state. And she visits senior-citize- n centers on a regular MARTIN LUTHER KING , JR. basis to encourage them to stay active. Because of a bad left knee, Gibson no longer plays tennis. However, at 62, she keeps busy as a professional golfer and is regularly invited to about traveling to Utah in bad demonstrations. place Thursday at noon in the pro-celebri- ty golf tournaments. She tennis gives occasionally Although Gibson is concerned weather, she said, "I look forward to coming." And it's not often we get someone at the U. who received a trophy from the Queen of England. The panel discussion will take Union Building ballroom. JAN20K r c i Presents Vd ANDTHIRICLINESV , v "oclt ancl Country Music Critics' Favorite New Talent g Jr Pi g 4 Vj y 1990 EVENTS C f, A "ALREADY LEGENDARY" Rolling Stone KINGSBURY HALL - 8 PM Tickets $16 & $12 ij Discount coupons available at Hastings Records I in I the Crossroads Mall. Friday Li 1 Welcomed KiSmlZ by if i iMMny The ZbCm. rsuliMiMmis m Group Sat JAN 26 lkr fjf t Many Paths to Freedom: Living the Dream Wednesday, January 10 Noon Keynote Address Dr. Harry Edwards Sport Sociologist Thursday, January 11 7:30 p.m. Thuli Dumakude in Concert: Songs of South Africa 4Wl Kingsbury Hall (ism? Olpin Union Ballroom January Thursday, January 11 8-1- 2 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Noon Photodocumentary Exhibit Panel Discussion Marriott Library Auditorium Thurl Bailey Utah Jazz Forward Althea Gibson Tennis Champion Roy Jefferson Football Star January 23 Olpin Union Ballroom 3!fiIS!j C0 KINGSBURY HALL - 8 PM Tickets $12 Scholar-in-Residen- ce & $8. All students $8 Noon Dr. Drew S. Days, III Yale University Law School noO of Moot Court Room, Law Building Symphony Hall It Mio Ferrantelli TT Mesquite Broiler MVSTCKC DCS VOIX lULCiltS THE BULGARIAN WOMENS CHOIR "Best Music Of The Milennium" -- National Public Radio ADMISSION IS FREE TO ALL EVENTS k.d. lang and The Second City available at Kingsbury Hall: 6 or 1 Tickets for all three shows at all Smith's Tix locations: Tickets for 467-599- L 581-7- 1 00. |
