Branch Rickey-Jackie Robinson Week at Ohio Wesleyan University

Via Baseball Musings we find out that Ohio Wesleyan University is sponsoring a Branch Rickey-Jackie Robinson Week from Jan. 24-27, 2011. As you may know, Rickey was a 1904 graduate at the university. In fact, check out an old post of mine from 2007 featuring a team photo of Rickey as manager of the Ohio Wesleyan University Baseball team here and the photo below. (Rickey is the gentleman on the top right in the suit.)
Anyway, there are all kinds of events being planned; including the presentation of the Branch Rickey Award to Mrs. Rachel Robinson.

Rachel Robinson, widow of Major League Baseball legend Jackie Robinson and founder of The Jackie Robinson Foundation, is being honored with Ohio Wesleyan University’s Branch Rickey Award for her “exceptional personal contribution and commitment to the goal of full equality for all.”

Rachel Robinson is only the second person in history to receive Ohio Wesleyan’s Branch Rickey Award, with the inaugural award presented to tennis player Arthur Ashe in 1988. The award was created in memory of Rickey, a 1904 Ohio Wesleyan graduate who partnered with Jackie Robinson to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Their courage and vision helped to end racial segregation in professional sports and set the stage for the U.S. Civil Rights movement.

Go here for more information about the event. Information about the Branch Rickey Award can be found here.