Commentary

Dolich
11-12-18 - Andy
Photo from Sports Illustrated, Oct. 3, 2018. Fists of Fury, by Tim Layden, discussed the 50th anniversary of the Mexico City Olympics' black-gloved protests by USA's Tommie Smith and John Carlos. (l to r) Silver medal winner Peter Norman of Australia, gold medal winner Tommie Smith, and bronze medal winner John Carlos. Photograph by Neil Leifer.

Andy Dolich -- 2015
Andy Dolich
  
Black & White of Gold Medals

By Andy Dolich

On Oct. 17 I attended a symposium at San Jose State University entitled Words to Action: Landmarks and Legacy of Athlete Activism. The event featured Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith and John Carlos discussing their iconic black-gloved protest at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and what has transpired in the 50 years since. Dr. Harry Edwards, founder of the Olympic Project for Human Rights and author of the Revolt of the Black Athlete, served as MC.

Panelists discussing their stories of social activism in sports included former NBA players Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Spencer Haywood, Olympians Wyomia Tyus, Paul Hoffman, former NFL player Nate Boyer and sports commentators Howard Bryant, Marc Spears, Steve Wyche and William Rhoden.

Tommie Smith described his life growing up in Lemoore, CA which is only 30 miles from Tulare. Tulare was the home of American sports hero and two-time Olympic gold medal decathlete Bob Mathias. Mathias came home from his Olympic triumphs to attend Stanford, serve in the Marines and star in a movie made about his life: The Bob Mathias Story. He served as a four term Republican U.S Congressman from his district. Mathias passed away in 2006.

Many Black Olympians came home and struggled to build productive lives. The San Joaquin Valley home of cities like Lemoore, Tulare, Hanford and Coalinga weren't exactly progressive environments in terms of diversity and equal opportunity when Tommie Smith came home in 1968.

What were the paths of confluence in sport and divergence of political perspectives? Both men had a deep allegiance to this country. They held very different visions of what had to be done to realize the promise of the American Dream and all that it stands for.

They experienced different journeys on vastly different paths.

Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Dolich teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies and is co-author of the new book:
Pops
3-6-17 - Pops

Michael King (left), with an associate from USF (center), and Karla Granadino-King, are pictured at the Olympic Club in San Francisco,  proudly sharing with the world their  Pops Premium Rumpopo. A King family secret, Pops Premium Rumpopo is a  delicious rum cream liqueur recipe brewed in the family tradition.  The award winning recipe is a Belizean family favorite and now available at all Total Wine & More stores in California and Bay Area retailers.
For more information, visit https://www.bzecheers.com/rumpopo

Pops - Original
Pops Back Label