posted on November 04, 2008 09:03
Indianapolis, IN, October 14, 2008—Indiana University football legend George Taliaferro, the first African American drafted by the NFL, will be honored at a fundraising dinner and silent auction on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at North Central High School’s Barbara S. Wynne Tennis House. The dinner, sponsored by the Hamilton County Community Tennis Association (HCCTA), will focus on the incredible achievements of a living Hoosier legend while raising money for HCCTA’s work to provide books to public libraries and high schools in Central Indiana and encourage reading and service opportunities for high school students.
Taliaferro, an All-American athlete, was a star player on IU’s fabled 1945 football team and led the team to an undefeated Big Ten conference championship. Taliaferro was a versatile player serving as a quarterback, a leading rusher and a punter. Drafted by the NFL in 1949, Taliaferro eventually played for the Dallas Texans, the New York Yanks, the Baltimore Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I am thrilled to be honored by the HCCTA. The work this organization does in the community is just incredible. Indiana has been very good to me and I am happy to help out in any way I can to help kids realize the value of hard work and education,” Taliaferro said. “There are several passions in my life: my family, football and IU. I have been blessed to have all three in my life and I hope my life can serve as a role model for others.”
Hoosier native Dawn Knight wrote a book about Taliaferro’s heroic life, Taliaferro: Breaking Barriers from the NFL Draft to the Ivory Tower, with a foreword penned by Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy. Dungy said, “If this book were only about football exploits it would be fun to read. But it goes deeper than that. It’s a history lesson that gives some insight into how the social structure of Indiana University and the NFL was changed by a very strong-willed person.” Dungy went on to say, “Every African American in the NFL today owes a debt of gratitude to George, and I am thrilled that his story is now finally being told.
To honor Taliaferro and his contributions to football and to Indiana, the HCCTA is sponsoring two events:
- A free public event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15th from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center at North Central High School. This event will feature a “Dialogue with George Taliaferro” and high school tennis players will discuss their community service projects. There will also be book signing and photo opportunities available.
- A fundraising dinner and silent auction to honor and celebrate Taliaferro will follow at the same location from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and will include a tribute to Taliaferro, celebrity congratulations, brief remarks from Taliaferro, and book signing and photo opportunities. The cost of the dinner is $50 per adult with all proceeds going to support the work of HCCTA. Registration information can be found on the HCCTA website at hccta.org.
HCCTA provides tennis programs and activities for players of all ages and abilities while nurturing the life skills of players, staff and volunteers. Formed in 1990, the HCCTA exists to teach our players a lifetime love of physical fitness, the value of good sportsmanship and the importance of giving something back to the community.
The HCCTA is a 501c3 non-profit organization.