ISU grad George Trice unveils the new street sign honoring his first cousin, twice removed.Photo: Iowa State University
(Ames, IA) -- Drivers near Iowa State University will notice a new street sign, honoring Jack Trice, the university’s first Black athlete. Trice was an Iowa State student of animal husbandry and a member of the Cyclone football and track and field teams. He suffered severe injuries in his second collegiate football game and died in Ames on Oct. 8, 1923. He was 21.
Trice is the namesake of the university’s football stadium, the only one at the nation’s major college football schools to be named for a Black man.
Today (Friday), George Trice, an Iowa State grad and first cousin (twice removed) of Jack Trice. The event was part of centennial programs and events to honor Jack Trice. ISU recently installed a new sculpture at Jack Trice Stadium as well. Additional programs and events will be announced over the coming year and posted to the website.
“Jack Trice’s legacy of courage, commitment and character is a source of tremendous pride and inspiration for all Iowa Staters,” said Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen. “This year-long centennial commemoration is an important way to uplift and share the full breadth of Jack’s story with a broad audience across Iowa and the nation. It’s also an opportunity to recognize our students and student-athletes who exemplify Jack’s ‘I Will’ spirit every day in the classroom, in competition and all across our campus.”