Date

12-4-2025

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

Luci Vaden

Keywords

sports, race, civil rights, Civil Rights Movement, St. Louis, Missouri, intersection

Disciplines

History

Abstract

This project focuses on the intersection of sport and race in St. Louis during the 1950s and 1960s, revealing how Black athletes became both symbols of progress and targets of resistance, illustrating the broader Civil Rights Movement’s parallel fight for visibility and systemic change. St. Louis was a city of contrasts. Its location and culture made it a focal point for the racial struggles that defined the Civil Rights Movement, often symbolizing both the persistence of inequality and the potential for change. Black athletes not only challenged racial barriers on the field but also catalyzed social change off it, revealing how sports in St. Louis functioned as both a reflection of systemic racism and a powerful platform for Black agency, activism, and transformation within an evolving urban and national racial landscape. Professional sports served as a mirror and a battleground for the city’s broader racial struggles, reflecting both the persistence of segregation and the growing demands for equality. Through the experiences of its major league teams, the Cardinals (baseball), the Hawks (basketball), the Football Cardinals, and the newly arrived Blues (hockey), the city revealed deep divides in fan behavior, media portrayal, player treatment, and institutional resistance to integration and activism. Historically analyzing St. Louis’s professional sports organizations during the civil rights era, through research largely dependent upon local and national newspapers, highlights the athletes who played key roles in the push for progress, their experiences with discrimination, and the ways they experienced and challenged social and cultural norms. Athletes’ presence and perseverance challenged the status quo and reshaped the racial dynamics of the city’s cultural identity. Examining these sporting arenas reveals the complex ways in which race, identity, and power intersect in St. Louis, offering critical insights into the city's civil rights landscape and the landscape within the national movement.

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