Elaine Jerome Brodsky/Ernie Davis Collection, 1960-1964
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Brodsky, Elaine Jerome
- Abstract:
- This collection contains materials pertaining Ernie Davis and his athletic career.
- Extent:
- .25 linear feet
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Elaine Jerome Brodsky/Ernie Davis Collection contains newspaper clippings about and photographs and autographs of Ernie Davis as collected by Elaine Brodsky.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Ernie Davis (1939-1963) grew up in Elmira where he played football and basketball at Elmira Free Academy and Neighborhood House. He attended Syracuse University where he played football from 1959 to 1961. Know by the nickname “The Elmira Express,” he became the first African American Heisman Trophy winner in 1961. In 1962, he was drafted to play for the Cleveland Browns, but was diagnosed with leukemia and died before he could play for them. He worked at Jerome’s, an Elmira clothing store, and had all his shirts special ordered and tailored there. He befriended Elaine Jerome, the owner’s daughter, frequently giving her autographed item to sell.
- Acquisition information:
- The items in this collection were donated to the Booth Library by Elaine Jerome Brodsky in 2003.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
-
Football players
College sports - Names:
- Elmira Free Academy (Elmira,
N.Y.)
Davis, Ernie, 1939-1963 - Places:
-
Elmira (N.Y.)
Syracuse (N.Y.)
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The Chemung County Historical Society's research library and archives are open to the public from 1pm to 5pm, Monday through Friday. There is a $5 fee for non-members.
- Location of this collection:
- Contact:
- (607) 734-4167cchs@chemungvalleymuseum.org