Sweatt, George, Alexander





GEORGE ALEXANDER SWEATT

Born: Dec 12, 1893
Died: July 19, 1983

Kansas City Monarchs 1921-25
Chicago American Giants 1926-27
Chicago Giants 1928

Sweatt was a ground-breaking pioneer for Pittsburg State University as the school's first African-American student-athlete to letter in the sports of basketball, football and track and field.

The Humboldt native earned numerous honors in the sprints and set a school record in the shot put in track and field for PSU. He lettered in football in 1921, missing All-KIAC honors when injuries cut short his playing season. Sweatt also lettered in basketball in the 1920 and 1922 seasons.

After earning a teaching certificate from PSU in 1922, Sweatt embarked upon a professional baseball career. He became the only regular player to appear in the first four Negro League World Series with the Kansas City Monarchs and the Chicago American Giants (1924-27).

During his professional playing years, Sweatt taught sixth grade and physical education at the Cleveland School in Coffeyville. Following his pro career, he worked for the postal service in Chicago and managed several semiprofessional baseball teams on weekends. He retired from the postal service in 1957.