Upcoming lecture explores college football during the Civil Rights era

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — An upcoming lecture looks at one of America’s favorite pastime -football, specifically college football – through the experience of African American players during the Civil Rights era.

Historian Dr. Lane Demas will speak on his latest book “Integrating the Gridiron: Black Civil Rights and American College Football,” which explores the integration of Black players in predominantly white college football teams, according to a Lynchburg museum statement.

The presentation, co-sponsored by the Lynchburg Museum and the Legacy Museum of African American History museum, is scheduled for Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Oakwood Country Club, located at 3409 Rivermont Ave.

The lecture coincides with a new exhibit at the Legacy Museum titled “The Development of An Athlete: Framing Sports Through Race, Gender, Class and Community.”