Browse Items · University of Richmond Race & Racism Project

Article "Board of Crustees Ousts Richmond Coaching Staff: Esau Brooks Elected to Richmond's Athletic Directorship: New Mentor Names James and Walter as Assistants"

This satirical April Fool's Day article describes the promotion of Esau Brooks from athletics trainer and grounds keeper to "the new and enthusiastic" Director of Athletics. The article also has Brooks placing "'Not-so-Dark' Jamees as line coach and…

Article "Esau At UR Twenty-Eight Years; Still Going Strong"

This article describes the continuing service of Esau Brooks, a trainer at the University of Richmond. Brooks began his work at the University in 1914, only leaving for military service in World War I. Brooks eliminated a "German machine gun next"…

Article "Esau Honored in RC Chapel"

This satirical April Fool's Day article describesa service held in honor of Esau Brooks, a caretaker and athletic trainer, at the Cannon Memorial Chapel in 1936. The article describes the ceremony, during which Brooks was honored with a rake and…

Article "Esau Presented Honorary Degree By Olgethorpe"

Published in the 1943 April Fool's edition of The Collegian, this photo and caption portray athletic trainer Esau Brooks receiving an honorary degree in Osteopathy (physical training), from Oglethorpe University. The degree was conferred at the Greek…

Article "Medal and Memory"

This article informs the student body ofthe death Esau Brooks, former athletic trainer at the University. The article describes Brooks as quiet and well respected, saying that "he was to the Athletic Department what a cleat is to a football shoe."…

Eulogy "In Memorandum Entry for Esau Brooks"

This eulogy written in the "In Memorandum" section of the Fall 1957 Messengernotes the death and service of Esau Brooks, a black athletic trainer and staff member at the University. The piece demonstrates a great deal of admiration for its subject…

Illustration "Map of Campus"

http://memory.richmond.edu/files/originals-for-csv-imports/MessengerLXVIII.4-1941.JPG

This comedic map of the University of Richmond campus features racist jokes. One can be seen in the captions around the gym, called "Jim," which refer to black athletic trainer Esau Brooks as "the Indian rubber man." Running to the gym is an "Indian…

Obituary "Esau Brooks, 1895-1957"

This tribute to Esau "Eas" Brooks, an African American athletic trainer at Richmond, was featured in the 1957 Alumni Bulletin. Predeceased by his wife, Willie, Esau Brooks had passed away at the age of 62 in a house fire on Ridge Road. Ridge Road ran…

Overseas Club

Picture of "Overseas Club" featured in the section of the yearbook with similar pictures of men in clubs based on the region they are from (i.e. Eastern Shore Club, Buckingham County Club). An African-American man in casual dress is sitting in front…

Richmond Times-Dispatch

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This article explains the death of Esau Brooks. Brooks, a black man, was the equipment manager and trainer at the University of Richmond. He was killed by the oil stove in his home. He had been working at the University of Richmond since 1914, when…

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