Trice's Story
October 2023 marked the 100th anniversary of Jack Trice's death. Trice was the first Black athlete at Iowa State, competing in football and track. He died from injuries sustained at a varsity football game in Minnesota. After a decades-long campaign by Iowa State students to recognize Trice, the football stadium was named Jack Trice Stadium in 1997.
![Trice_1923[1]_s.jpg](/sites/default/files/Trice_1923%5B1%5D_s.jpg)
Exhibit
Ames History Museum is honoring Trice with a traveling exhibit, "Tower of Strength: The Life and Legacy of Jack Trice." The exhibit covers Trice's early life in Ohio, journey to Ames, last football game, and legacy. Included in the exhibit are rarely-seen images of Trice and his wife, Cora Mae. The exhibit will be on display throughout the community and at special events.
See the Exhibit:
December 28-29, 2023
National Civil Rights Museum
450 Mulberry Street
Memphis, Tennessee
Interested in hosting the traveling exhibit? Contact us!
Past locations include Ames Public Library, Iowa State University Alumni Center, National Animal Disease Lab, and the Multicultural Center at the Memorial Union.
Past Events
Lecture Series - Exploring the Trice Connection: Jack's African American ISC Friends, Family, and Classmates
October 1923 marks the centennial of Jack Trice's tragic death. This lecture by Gloria Betcher will explore the lives of Jack's early 1920s social connections and examine what life was like for him, his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers, his wife, Cora Mae, and his Black classmates. Among this group were future engineers, teachers and professors, a future aviator, two future university Directors of Agriculture, three future university presidents and a future Congressional Medal of Freedom recipient - all defying the odds by attending an historically white college in a majority white state.
2023 Lecture Series presented in partnership by Ames History Museum and Ames Public Library. All lectures free and open to the public.
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Lecture - Jack Trice: More Than a Football Player
A century ago, Jack Trice—Iowa State’s first Black student-athlete—died of injuries suffered in his second football game. His story is highlighted by his athleticism, the poignant note he wrote to himself, and the mystery of his death. Yet, Jack Trice was more than a football player. He was a loving husband, devoted son, and fraternity brother who died too young. Steve Jones, author of a children’s biography on Jack Trice, will talk about his life, relationships with family, friends, and teammates, and how his inspirational legacy lives on.
Presented in partnership by Ames History Museum and Ames Public Library. Supported by the Discover Ames Community Grant Program.
Jack Trice Commemoration
Learn more about Jack Trice Commemoration activities at https://jacktrice100.com/
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Ames History Museum's Jack Trice events and exhibits are supported by the Discover Ames Community Grant Program.
