Black belt worn by Kayla Harrison during the 2012 London Olympic Games when she became the first American (male or female) to win a gold medal in the sport of judo. Harrison began her judo career at age 6 and quickly rose to the top of the junior level field winning the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Junior US Open. in 2008, she became the third American to win the Junior World Championships and in 2010 only the fourth American to win the Senior World Championship. Harrison went on to become the only American to ever win an Olympic gold medal in judo at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
The 2012 Summer Olympics, also known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad were held in London, England with 204 countries, 5,992 men and 4,776 women athletes participating. With the inclusion of women’s boxing, these Games became the first with female competitors in every sport and the first at which each country entered, had a female representative. Women’s boxing debuted and mixed doubles in tennis was held for the first time since the 1924 Games. American Michael Phelps won his 22nd medal making him the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. Every athlete to win a medal at these Games was drug tested and as of 2017, 31 medals had been rescinded due to doping. The United States won the medal count with 104.
The 2016 Summer Olympics, also known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with 207 countries and 11,238 athletes participating. These were the first Olympic Games held entirely in the host country’s winter season and the first to be held in South America. These Games were designed with sustainability in mind and many of the features of the Games were made from recyclable materials. The Refugee Olympic Team entered 10 athletes for competition made up of refugees from the European Migrant crisis. The Zika virus was a factor in competition as many athletes decided to forgo the Games for fear of catching the virus spread through mosquitos. Michael Phelps came out of retirement to compete in the Games and added more medals to his historic count. Katie Ledecky won four gold medals and teammate Simone Manual won two gold and two silver medals becoming the first African American to win an individual swimming gold medal. Simone Biles dominated gymnastics, winning four gold and the women’s team won the all-around competition. The United States won the medal count with 121.
3D printed technology helix is a grey cube with a tightly woven 3D printed material, making this cube slightly harder and less pliable than 2022.0054.09.1. This technology is used to create the next generation of crash cloud technology.
Windpact was created by retired NFL football player Shawn Springs an African-American inventor, entrepreneur, businessman and athlete. Inspired by a car accident he and his family were in, Springs noticed his daughter’s car seat protected her from the impact and thought he could use this technology in other ways. Initially he developed this ‘crash cloud’ technology for use in football helmets to reduce concussions in players but soon used this new technology in all types of athletic helmets, as well as military helmets. Windpact continues to develop and innovate with 3D printed materials finding a variety of applications for this new technology.
Five page letter written in January of 1986 from Jennifer Englekirk to "Bob," detailing struggles with gender, sexuality and religion. Englekirk was in junior high school at the time.
Jordan Max-Ryan Englekirk was born intersex in 1972 and because he looked like a girl, grew up as Jennifer. Englekirk has personally identified as male for most of his life and growing up struggled with this dichotomy. Often bullied in school and berated by teachers and adults in his life, Englekirk finally made the transition to male in 2012, at 40 years old. He now lives as a man but during high school, while still living as Jennifer, Englekirk became a member of the girls’ softball team and soon was a leader on the diamond. Sports was an important outlet for creating his identity. Englekirk kept sports in his life as an adult and eventually became the first woman to ump at Cooperstown Little Majors Stadium for Little League tournament games.
Hall of Fame first baseman Willie Stargell (1940 – 2001) played the entirety of his twenty year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born Wilver Donne Stargell, Willie entered the Major Leagues in 1962. During the course of his career, the hard hitting left hander affectionately known as "Pops" led the National League in home runs twice, made seven All-Star appearances and helped to bring the Pirates two World Series Championships (1971 and 1979.)
The 1979 Pirates championship team was known as "The Family," (a name taken from the popular Sister Sledge song "We are Family,")and "Pops" was its undisputed leader, taking home both the National League and World Series MVP awards that year.
Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988, Stargell died of a stroke in 2001. His 475 career home runs and 1,540 runs-batted-in remain Pirates records. In recognition of his status as one of the city's most beloved athletes, a statue of Stargell has been erected in Pittsburgh outside of PNC Park, the Pirates current home.
Defender Werner Roth played for the North American Soccer League’s (NASL) New York Cosmos from 1972-1979. He would make 125 appearances for the Cosmos, scoring 2 career goals and winning 3 Soccer Bowl Titles (1972, 1977, 1978). Roth played for the United States Mens National Team (WSMNT) between 1972-1975, making 15 appearances.
Born in Yugoslavia, Roth moved to the United States when he was eight years old.
Miller Racing Group team shirt worn by co-owner Leonard W. Miller. Miller Racing Group was an African American racing team owned by father and son Leonard W. and Leonard T. Miller. MRG was sponsored by Dr. Pepper from 2001-2003 and delivered Dr. Pepper its first corporate win in the brand's history. The team competed in the NASCAR Late Model Stock Weekly Racing Series throughout the southeast. After the 2003 season, the Millers did not have a corporate sponsor for MRG and sustained the team with their personal funds and resources.
Pair of black leather, high top boots with a red lining and red laces. Made by the Roots Clothing Company who outfitted the U.S. athletes for the Games, these boots were to be worn at the opening ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Roots became involved in the Olympic games in 1976 and began outfitting the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams in 1998. Roots outfitted the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in 2002, 2004, and 2006 but sought out an American Company to outfit the team in 2008 for the Beijing games. Although Polo was chosen it was found that the clothes were actually made in China which created a public uproar and Ralph Lauren was chosen for the next Olympic games.
The 2002 Winter Olympics, also known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad were held in Salt Lake City, Utah with 78 countries, 1,513 men and 886 women athletes participating. Security was high as these were the first Games since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A flag from Ground Zero was flown at the opening ceremonies. These games were the most successful Winter Games to date with the 2002 Paralympic Games held in the Salt Lake City venue right after. The American women won the gold in women’s bobsled while American Sara Hughes won gold in figure skating with Michelle Kwan taking the bronze. The United States won the medal count with 34 but Norway won the gold medal count with 13.
