Page15

Sports

Perhaps the one area where members of New Brunswick's Black community have excelled unlike no other has been in the field of athletics. For the latter part of the 19th century, and for most of this century, Blacks around the province have won recognition in many sports: baseball, track & field, skating, boxing and football.

Ossie and Bill Stewart were ‘demons' on blades as they skated with the likes of Willie Logan and Charlie Gorman. Ralph (Tiger) Thomas and Ron Brothers of Saint John are known to hundreds of boxers for their leadership in promoting the sport of boxing in New Brunswick. Manny McIntyre of Fredericton was an outstanding player in both baseball and hockey. Rankin Wheary of Woodstock was a prominent local and regional ball player. Willie O'Ree of Fredericton became the first Black in the National Hockey League.

Then there is Clifford "Nick" Skinner, known as the Colored Flash, an outstanding track star of the 1920's and 1930's who almost beat world speed skater Charlie Gorman in a foot race.

During a career that spanned from 1927 to 1943 with both the Colored Aces and the Canadian Army Nick won many local and Maritime track and field events.
Some of the trophies and events won by Skinner include:

• Winner, 100 yard dash, N.B. Interscholastic Track & Field competition, 1932
• Senior & Junior champion, 100 yard dash, N.B. Track & Field championship, 1933
• a Maritime record in the 60 yard dash in the British Empire Trials, 1934
• Hi Point winner, Acadia Maritime Relays, 1934
• Hi Point winner, Hampton Sports Meet, 1938
• Canadian Army Vimy Championship, basketball, 1943

In 1933 Nick was the record holder for the following:

• 100 yd. dash - Senior, 11 1/2 seconds
• 100 yd. dash - Special, 11 seconds
• High Jump - Special, 5'1"
• Broad Jump - Special, 19' 3 1/2"
• 1 mile Relay Race - Special, 4 min. 2.5 seconds

Nick's daughter Marie was herself an outstanding track star, and his son Chris played football for Simonds High School and professionally for the Edmonton Eskimos.

The South End Royals of Saint John were one of the few all Black teams in New Brunswick's sport history and one of the best ball teams in Saint John. John 'Hun' Gray formed the team in 1919. For their first four years they were the dominating team in the South End League, winning the South End championship four years running.

The highlight of their career came in 1922 when they were declared the Intermediate Champions of Saint John. The team members were: Ace Austin catcher, Kid Tynes first base, Jim Price second base, Alphonse Hogan third base, Reg Harper shortstop, Charlie Saunders infield, Joe Brown right field, Al Middleton center field, Gerry Brandy outfield, Fred Diggs pitcher, Earl Nelson pitcher . Fred Diggs was considered their finest player. Many Saint Johners at the time said that if it wasn't for his color, he would have made it into the major leagues. A tireless pitcher, Diggs once threw a complete doubleheader against the team from St. John the Baptist. He was considered the fastest fastball pitcher in Saint John at the time.

Around the province Black athletes are excelling in their personal and team sports. The Canadian, Pan American Games, and the Olympics, are their goals.

6 More

All pages © Heritage Resources and New Brunswick Community College - Saint John.