By Michelle Bliss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/whqr/local-whqr-986831.mp3
Wilmington, NC –
Tune in on Thursday during Morning Edition and All Things Considered to hear a WHQR feature on the John Gunn Sports Collection at the UNCW Randall Library.
One of the largest public collections of sports memorabilia is on display at UNCW's Randall Library. WHQR's Michelle Bliss reports that the John Gunn Sports Collection contains nearly 8,000 documents including magazine clippings, rule books, and photographs, some dating back to 1905.
The collection is primarily focused on memorabilia from college and professional football and basketball. Randall Library Special Collections Coordinator Jerry Parnell says a large portion of the material consists of military football game-day programs from the WWII era.
"The military had football teams, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Army, all had football teams and they played each other and they played colleges and other teams like that. It was an opportunity for service men to stay in shape and have fun, you know, morale."
A moving truck filled with every shrink-wrapped item arrived in Wilmington almost three years ago. UNCW students and special collections employees have spent that time organizing the vast collection, along with preparing an online guide for the exhibit.
Wilmington author and military historian Wilbur Jones says the John Gunn Sports Collection helped him write his most recent book called Football! Navy! War!
"His books, documents, magazine articles, clippings, game programs, media guides from various schools and teams, and previews of the coming season and that sort of thing. So, they were very, very helpful to me."
Jones says that 50% of his research came from Gunn's collection. Gunn lives in Pensacola but has ties to Wilmington and the region. He reported for the Star News in the 1950's and was stationed at Cherry Point. When Gunn entered a nursing home, Jones suggested that his family donate the items to UNCW.
The exhibit will be open through mid-December.
Learn more about the John Gunn Sports Collection.
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