Trice, Jack, 1902-1923

Johnny (Jack) Trice (1902-1923) was born in Hiram, Ohio. He was active in sports and demonstrated skills in this area quite early. Awhile after his father died, Jack's mother sent him to Cleveland to live with his uncle. When his high school football coach moved to Ames, he went along. He majored at ISU in animal husbandry, hoping to use his knowledge to help black farmers. He was married after his freshman year and both he and his wife, Cora Mae, worked so that they could attend school. He was the first black football player at Iowa State. In October 1923 Jack played in "the first real college game" of his life in Minneapolis. On the second play from scrimmage his collarbone was broken. In the second half, three University of Minnesota players knocked him flat. He died in Ames less that 48 hours later from internal bleeding and a ruptured lung.