as a 12 year old slave, James Holbrook escaped from his captors and ran to the safety of the Union Army. He became a valet for Captain Dillon and served in the Union until the end of the Civil War. After the War, Captain Dillon invited James to accompany him back to his hometown of Iowa City.
After moving to Tipton Iowa, James married Pinky. The couple had a son who they named, Frank “Kinney’’ Holbrook. Little did they know that as a young man, Kinney would grow to love sports. He attended Tipton High School and was a two-sport athlete, participating in Football and Track.
After a successful high school career, Kinney graduated from Tipton High. His plan was to attend the University of Iowa where he would continue participating in the two sports that he loved.
The Holbrook family came to the realization that they couldn’t afford to send Kinney to college. To the Holbrook’s great surprise, the towns people of Tipton rallied around them, raising enough money to send Kinney to college.
In 1895, with no head coach, the Hawkeye football program was in jeopardy of being canceled after the team had a dismal 2-5 season.
In 1896, the University hires Alfred E. Bull, who helped right the ship. Coach Bull moved Kinney from End to Half Back as the team began to build a winning tradition, with Kinney leading the way.
Little did Kinney know that the 1896 Iowa vs. Missouri game would carve a place for him in Iowa Hawkeye history as the Hawkeyes win their first conference title.
Frank Kinney Holbrooks efforts would also pave the way for every African-American player that would follow him.
After moving to Tipton Iowa, James married Pinky. The couple had a son who they named, Frank “Kinney’’ Holbrook. Little did they know that as a young man, Kinney would grow to love sports. He attended Tipton High School and was a two-sport athlete, participating in Football and Track.
After a successful high school career, Kinney graduated from Tipton High. His plan was to attend the University of Iowa where he would continue participating in the two sports that he loved.
The Holbrook family came to the realization that they couldn’t afford to send Kinney to college. To the Holbrook’s great surprise, the towns people of Tipton rallied around them, raising enough money to send Kinney to college.
In 1895, with no head coach, the Hawkeye football program was in jeopardy of being canceled after the team had a dismal 2-5 season.
In 1896, the University hires Alfred E. Bull, who helped right the ship. Coach Bull moved Kinney from End to Half Back as the team began to build a winning tradition, with Kinney leading the way.
Little did Kinney know that the 1896 Iowa vs. Missouri game would carve a place for him in Iowa Hawkeye history as the Hawkeyes win their first conference title.
Frank Kinney Holbrooks efforts would also pave the way for every African-American player that would follow him.
