WMUR: Franklin Pierce staff member discovers connection to American baseball icon
Feb 28, 2024
A baseball and American icon has been found to have a connection to Franklin Pierce University, thanks to one staff member who uncovered the truth.
“One student helper asked me a simple question: ‘Did they ever ski on the mountain?’ Right over my shoulder. I can actually show you a video; it’s on YouTube. It’s the 50th anniversary of Franklin Pierce,” Robert Hannings said.
While digging through old photos trying to find an image of a skier, Hannings said he was shocked by what he found.
“I see our first college president, Frank DiPietro, casually putting a sash over the head of this very good-looking, white-haired black man. I couldn't believe I was looking at Jackie Robinson,” Hannings said.
After more research, Hannings learned that Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, was awarded an honorary degree and spoke to Franklin Pierce graduates in 1969.
Photos of Robinson and a copy of his commencement speech were found in the school archives. During his visit to Rindge in 1969, Robinson spoke about the racism he, and other Black people were experiencing.
“As Jackie Robinson, I have led an unusual life, but as a Black man in America, it is like any other Black man,” he said.
