25+ BEST FEMALE BLACK ATHLETES OF SYRACUSE, NY (2017)
URBAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME OF SYRACUSE, NY 20TH YEAR RECOGNITION INDUCTEES
The following is a list compiled by former athletes who lived in the City of Syracuse during their high school athletic career.
They were asked who they thought were the most talented Black athletes that they played against. We feel the credibility of
the former athletes is the best way to prevent bias or favoritism, by letting them judge who were the best, despite level of play,
stats, playing career, or championships. From these unbiased and straightforward assessments, a list of some of the best Black
athletes in the City of Syracuse, NY was comprised. Athletes had to be residents of the City of Syracuse during the time they
competed, no matter who they played for during competition. We list by era, not by who was best, beginning in the 1930’s
and ending at 2012. Some photos are included. Some of these athletes participated in more than one sport, at different levels
and/or decades. This is indicated by (*). This list is on-going and will be updated throughout this year, and will be included as
part of this year’s class of the Urban Sports Hall of Fame of Syracuse, NY, 20th Annual Hall of Fame Inductees.
1930’s
1940’s
Lillian
Dunham,
Central/
Municipal
League
Dunbar;
1950’s
1960’s
Irene
Thomas
(*); track;
Joanne
Reddick (*),
golf;
JOANNE
REDDICK
1970’s
Darlene
Cooper,
Central; Lily
Ann Giles,
Corcoran,
track; Gwen
Jones,
Central,
basketball;
1980’s
1990’s
2000-2012
Roxanne Godley, Henninger,
track; Petrina Thomas,
Nottingham, track; Nelisa
Clark, Nottingham,
basketball; Lauren Townes,
Nottingham, basketball;
Felicia Legette, Nottingham
basketball; Janeen Bonner,
Nottingham, track; Allison
Dupree, Nottingham, track;
Pam Odom, Nottingham,
basketball; Carmen Starling,
Nottingham, basketball;
Crystal Starling,
Nottingham, basketball;
Rasheada Caldwell,
Nottingham, basketball;
Linda Donaldson,
Nottingham, basketball,
volleyball;
Sameerah Aiken,
Corcoran,
basketball; Camille
Murphy, Corcoran,
basketball; Nicole
Thomas,
Henninger, track &
field; Leashia Rahr,
Henninger, track &
field; Antonnika
Owens, Henninger,
track & field;
Sophr Sallard,
Nottingham,
basketball;
Donette Reed,
Nottingham,
basketball;
Desiree Battle,
Henninger, track;
Imani Williams,
Corcoran,
swimming, track;
Neiocha Watts,
Corcoran,
basketball;
FELICIA LEGETTE
LINDA DONALDSON
PETRINA THOMAS