Willie O'Ree was the first hockey player to break the color barrier when he joined Boston in 1958. If the gang at Sports Dreams have their way that legacy will continue.
The nonprofit organization branches out to provide non-traditional sports for inner city kids, and hockey is in the mix.
The inaugural Black Ice Invitational is being held this weekend with inner city teams from Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C. meeting up to honor black pioneers of the game in a two day tournament. Friday's action is at the Jack Adams Recreation Center and Saturday's is at Clark Park.
"We give them opportunity to learn. A lot of kids didn't know about the
black hockey teams from back in the day in the early 1900s, and when
they found out that there was a black team back in the day, they were
eager to get on and learn the game themselves," said coach Marcus Norwood.
Boys and girls from four to 19 are participating, and each kid is making a piece of the game their own allowing for another path to sports success instead of limiting city kids to just football and basketball.
"A lot of times kids don't know the opportunities that are out there, and we're just trying to expose them. It's kind of difficult to get kids involved because they just don't know, but once they know they seem to love it. They enjoy it," Norwood said.
Will the Black Ice Invitational mean there will be more black faces in the NHL? That answer is far off, but at least players know that there is a path to follow.
Thursday, May 2 2013 8:25 PM EDT2013-05-03 00:25:47 GMT
Fix your swing? How about fix the swinger? That is the goal at Fox Hills with a brand new program called Omni Kinetics, the first of its kind in Michigan.
Fix your swing? How about fix the swinger? That is the goal at Fox Hills with a brand new program called Omni Kinetics, the first of its kind in Michigan.
Friday, February 22 2013 8:47 PM EST2013-02-23 01:47:23 GMT
You can see some potential future African-American hockey stars this weekend at the Black Ice Invitational. Inner city teams from Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C. are meeting up to honor black pioneers of the game.
You can see some potential future African-American hockey stars this weekend in Detroit at the Black Ice Invitational. Inner city teams from Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C. are meeting up to honor black pioneers of the game.
Wednesday, January 23 2013 4:08 PM EST2013-01-23 21:08:44 GMT
There is not supposed to be a lot of snow in the forecast, but they are making it in Rochester for the Sixth Annual Fire and Ice Festival, which kicks off this weekend.
There is not supposed to be a lot of snow in the forecast, but they are making it in Rochester for the Sixth Annual Fire and Ice Festival, which kicks off this weekend.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:10:41 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Hockey players (Credit: Fox 2 News)
