I edited this bio statement for an induction ceremony into a sports hall of fame from the original text below it.
Final Text:
Art Dorrington Bio – 297 word count
Called the “Jackie Robinson of Ice Hockey”, Canadian-born Art Dorrington was the first professional ice-hockey player of color in the United States. His physical abilities as one of the fastest skaters on ice, and his dedication to helping inner-city youth develop through team sports, earned him induction into the Halls of Fame in Atlantic City (2003); Nova Scotia, Canada (2004); and his home town, Truro, Nova Scotia (2005). Today we are delighted to induct him into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame.
Art signed a contract with the New York Rangers in 1950 and was sent to Atlantic City to play with the Sea Gulls Hockey Team. In his first year with the team he took the Gulls to the Eastern League Championship, later leading the League in scoring. He went on to play for teams in New York, Boston, Johnstown, Washington and Philadelphia.
Art’s Sea Gulls’ hockey Jersey, number 16, has been retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada. He played until 1958 when, while with the Philadelphia Ramblers, a serious leg injury ended his professional career.
Settling in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he created The Art Dorrington Ice Hockey Foundation to fund ice hockey programs for disadvantaged teens, including girls; one of 30 programs sponsored by the National Hockey League’s Diversity Task Force.
Art was recently honored at the 2005 Willie O’Rea Annual All Star Game, where he received the “Volunteer of the Year Award” from the NHL’s Diversity Task Force for outstanding service to the children of his community.
For the last twenty years Art worked for the Atlantic City Recreation Department and also served as the Softball Commissioner. Combining his profession and his passion, he helped the Boardwalk Bullies become the East Coast Hockey League Champions in 2004.
Original Text:
Art Dorrington Bio – 482 word count
If the Canadian born Art Dorrington had done nothing more than become the first professional black ice hockey player in the United States, he would be worthy of enshrinement in the Hall of Fame(s) in Atlantic City (2003), Nova Scotia Canada (2004) and his home town, Truro Nova Scotia (2005). He is now being inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (2008)..
Many black hockey players have followed Dorrington sincethe broke the color barrier in 1950. Dorrington’s Sea Gulls’ hockey Jersey, number 16, has been retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.
Dorrington is hailed as being one of the fastest skaters on ice during his career. He was touted as being the “Jackie Robinson of Ice Hockey”. Why? He was the first black in the sport in the USA and because he encounted the same discrimination, intolerance and bigotry, prejudice and racism as Jackie Robinson.
Dorrington came to the USA in 1950 after signing a contract with the New York Rangers. He was sent to Atlantic City to play with the Sea Gulls Hockey Team. He took the Gulls to the Eastern League Championship in his first year with the team (1951). He later led the Eastern League in scoring. In the years that followed he joined the hockey teams in New York, Boston, Johnstown, Washington and Philadelphia. His career was interrupted in 1956 when he was inducted into the United State Army. His career came to an end in 1958 when he received a serious injury to his leg while playing with the Philadelphia Ramblers.
Dorrington settled in Atlantic City, New Jersey and became a citizen of the USA in 1958. He married the love of his life Dorothie Williamson whom he was married to for 54 years before she passed away in February of 2004. The couple has a loving daughter, Dorretta “Judah” Dorrington, who lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dorrington has always been active in community service in Atlantic City. He conceived the idea of starting an ice hockey program for inner city youth. He worked tirelessly to raise funds to support his dream, thus the Art Dorrington Ice Hockey Foundation was formed, which now serves over 40 youths a year. The Foundation’s hockey program is one of the 30 programs sponsored by the National Hockey League Diversity Task Force that encourages youth of various nationalities, including girls, to participate in the sport of ice hockey.
At a 2005 Willie O’Rea Annual All Star Game, Art received the “Volunteer of the Year Award” from the NHL Diversity Task Force for outstanding service to the children of his community
Dorrington retired in 2004 from the Atlantic City Recreation Department. He became the Softball Commissioner for Atlantic City and served for over twenty years. He was a consultant for Boardwalk Bullies when they became the East Coast Hockey League Champions in 2004.
