On Saturday, April 8, the Huston-Tillotson University Rams take on the Texas College Steers. After the baseball game, the following former players of the Negro Baseball League will be honored in a special ceremony: Everett Turner, Travis Darden, Joseph “Lefty” Vaughns, Dick “Lefty” O’Neil, Lawrence “Fireball” Tucker, and Clifton Fifer. Estella Wells, daughter of the late Willie Wells, is also scheduled to represent the Wells family at the event.
The baseball game and the following program are free and open to the public. In back-to-back weekend events, Huston-Tillotson University will recognize the importance of baseball and how integral the sport of baseball was to exposing the racial inequalities that existed in America, especially on segregated baseball fields, much like Austin’s historic Downs Field. On April 15, the University’s largest Gala fundraiser will take place, where the University will honor its baseball heritage, celebrate members of the Negro League Baseball, and highlight the Jackie Robinson Legacy.
The Gala will also feature a tribute to members of the Negro League Baseball who will be in attendance, an induction of the newest member into the University’s baseball Hall of Fame; a Diamonds off the Field award presentation, recognition of alumni trailblazers; and special acknowledgement of Huston-Tillotson’s Baseball Coach Alvin Moore, Athletic Director Charles H. Dubra, and retired Athletic Director, Coach, and Instructor James R. Wilson.
Tickets are available at:https://htu.edu/34…/diamonds-in-the-outfield-scholarship-gala
