Carbondale Alerts
Carbondale Game Changers Event Celebrates the History of the Negro Baseball Leagues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARBONDALE - The City of Carbondale proudly presents Carbondale Game Changers, a family-friendly event celebrating the history and legacy of the Negro Baseball Leagues at 1:00 pm on Sunday, June 21st at MTN Dew Park (Marion, IL).
Embracing the theme “Swing Big, Dream Bigger,” Carbondale Game Changers will educate local youth and community members on the history of America’s national pastime and the lasting impact of the Negro Leagues on sports and culture in the United States. The event will encourage attendees to dream boldly about how they, too, can become future “game changers” and make a positive difference in their community.
Youth from local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and I Can Read, will join Mayor Harvey and the City of Carbondale at MTN Dew Park to watch the Thrillville Thrillbillies while learning about how the Negro Leagues became a symbol of perseverance and community pride throughout American history.
Baseball fans from across Southern Illinois are also invited to explore the “Buck: Right on Time” exhibit presented by Legacy Training, Inc., through June 30th, 2026, at The Oasis in the former Marion Mall. This traveling exhibition from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum highlights the career and legacy of legendary player John “Buck” O’Neil. Contact Dianah McGrehan at dmcgreehan@carbondaleil.gov to learn more about this event.
Carbondale Game Changers is supported by Healing Illinois. Healing Illinois is a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Southern Illinois Community Foundation. To learn more about the Healing Illinois initiative, click here.
“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
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CARBONDALE - The City of Carbondale proudly presents Carbondale Game Changers, a family-friendly event celebrating the history and legacy of the Negro Baseball Leagues at 1:00 pm on Sunday, June 21st at MTN Dew Park (Marion, IL).
Embracing the theme “Swing Big, Dream Bigger,” Carbondale Game Changers will educate local youth and community members on the history of America’s national pastime and the lasting impact of the Negro Leagues on sports and culture in the United States. The event will encourage attendees to dream boldly about how they, too, can become future “game changers” and make a positive difference in their community.
Youth from local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and I Can Read, will join Mayor Harvey and the City of Carbondale at MTN Dew Park to watch the Thrillville Thrillbillies while learning about how the Negro Leagues became a symbol of perseverance and community pride throughout American history.
Baseball fans from across Southern Illinois are also invited to explore the “Buck: Right on Time” exhibit presented by Legacy Training, Inc., through June 30th, 2026, at The Oasis in the former Marion Mall. This traveling exhibition from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum highlights the career and legacy of legendary player John “Buck” O’Neil. Contact Dianah McGrehan at dmcgreehan@carbondaleil.gov to learn more about this event.
Carbondale Game Changers is supported by Healing Illinois. Healing Illinois is a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Southern Illinois Community Foundation. To learn more about the Healing Illinois initiative, click here.
“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
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