The Development of An Athlete: Framing Sports Through Race, Gender, Perseverance and Community

The Development of An Athlete takes the visitor on a reflective journey as it presents “Sports” in the City of Lynchburg and its four surrounding counties. The exhibition examines racial segregation, gender, perseverance, and community by presenting stories about African American athletes, as well as the coaches and environments that supported them.

This exhibit is not an exhaustive history or recognition of ALL the athletes nurtured in our region; that would require more physical space than the Legacy Museum possesses. Instead we chose sports figures who obtained at least one of the following levels or designations in their particular discipline:

• A Professional
• A Minor Leaguer
• An Olympian
• A College Hall of Famer
• A High School Champion

The Legacy Museum of African American History proudly offers sports biographies, career highlights, and physical objects from athletes and coaches representing baseball, basketball, football, golf, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Our list is diverse, dynamic, and multigenerational. We welcome you to visit the exhibit often and engage in our upcoming public programs.

The Development of an Athlete exhibit was designed by guest curator Veronica Jackson.

Funding made possible by Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation and Virginia Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Virginia Humanities/CARES Act Funding to support the Legacy Museum has been provided by Virginia Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan of 2020