{"id":93655,"date":"2024-06-12T18:03:47","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T22:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=93655"},"modified":"2024-06-12T18:57:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T22:57:45","slug":"gallery-crossroads-an-opportunity-for-growth-baseball-hall-of-famer-fergie-jenkins-tells-brock-grads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2024\/06\/gallery-crossroads-an-opportunity-for-growth-baseball-hall-of-famer-fergie-jenkins-tells-brock-grads\/","title":{"rendered":"GALLERY: \u2018Crossroads\u2019 an opportunity for growth, Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins tells Brock grads"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Ferguson \u201cFergie\u201d Jenkins signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and began travelling with their minor team, he came to a major crossroads in his life.<\/p>\n

As a Black baseball player in 1960s, the Chatham, Ont., native quickly learned how pervasive racism was in the United States.<\/p>\n

Segregation meant he was prohibited from staying in the same hotels as his white teammates and often could not eat at the same restaurants.<\/p>\n

Jenkins, who would go on to become the first Canadian inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, could have quit and given up on his dream of playing in the major leagues. Instead, he got up every morning ready to give it his all on the field.<\/p>\n

He recognized there were others who didn\u2019t want him there, as a \u201cplayer of colour,\u201d but also knew he had a job to do: \u201cplay baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jenkins spoke about the significance of this time in his life while addressing the graduating class at Brock University\u2019s 115th Convocation<\/a> on Wednesday, June 12. During the afternoon ceremony, he was presented with an honorary doctorate from the University for his contributions to sport and the community through his athletic and philanthropic pursuits.<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/a>

Brock Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Dean Peter Tiidus (left) and Chancellor Hilary Pearson (right) present Ferguson \u201cFergie\u201d Jenkins (centre) with his honorary doctorate.<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite the challenges he faced along the way, Jenkins persevered in his career, playing Major League Baseball for nearly 20 years with the Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.<\/p>\n

Among his many accolades, the three-time All Star was awarded the National League Cy Young Award, was honoured with Canadian postage stamps featuring his image and was recognized with the Order of Canada.<\/p>\n

Jenkins said his wins did not come without challenges and difficult choices.<\/p>\n

He encouraged Brock\u2019s latest graduates, when they inevitably encounter a crossroads of their own, to always \u201cdo what you think is best\u201d to decide the right path ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let someone spoil your dream,\u201d he said, no matter the struggles that may be encountered along the way.<\/p>\n

Jenkins was the third and final honorary doctorate recipient of Brock\u2019s 115th Convocation, which continues until Friday, June 14 with three remaining ceremonies. On Tuesday, June 11, the University bestowed honorary doctorates upon environmental activist Maude Barlow and accessibility leader Tricia Pokorny (BA \u201995)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In total, Brock\u2019s Spring Convocation will see about 3,200 graduands from seven Faculties receive their degrees. All ceremonies take place in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium of Brock\u2019s Walker Sports Complex and are livestreamed online at\u00a0brocku.ca\/livestream<\/a><\/p>\n

For a full schedule of Brock\u2019s Spring Convocation, visit brocku.ca\/convocation<\/a><\/p>\n

Discover the full collection of Convocation photos by ceremony on\u00a0Brock University\u2019s official Facebook page<\/a>\u00a0or view recordings of the ceremonies at\u00a0brocku.ca\/livestream<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins’ full Convocation address below:<\/p>\n