Wang Shou-Xim and Muhammad Ali (1986)

Item Information

Title:
Wang Shou-Xim and Muhammad Ali (1986)
Description:
A photograph of Wang Shou-Xim and Mohammed Ali, boxing at the Beijing Institute of Physical Education in China. The photograph was sent in May, 1985 by Wang Shou-Xim to Prof. A caption on the back states: "1986.5.26 To Dear Mr Smith. Boxing Coach Wang Shou-xim Beijing Institute of Physical Education". Charles J. Smith, director of the International Academy at Springfield College. Charles J. Smith served as the director of the International Academy at Springfield College, later renamed to the International English Language Institute at the College, from 1986-1999. Smith was instrumental in strengthening international relationships between the College and countries in Asia, including China, Japan, and Taiwan. Following his retirement in 1999, Smith continued to build international partnerships between the College and students in the Far East. Not only did Smith have an impact on international relations with the College, but he also served as a Springfield College swimming coach for 23 years from 1966 through 1989. During his long-standing tenure with the swimming program, he instructed both the men’s and women’s teams on different occasions, as well as serving as diving coach for a period of time starting in 1967. From 1986-1989, Smith performed double duty leading the swimming programs and also directing the International Academy. Mohammed Ali is an American boxer considered among the greatest heavyweight champions in the history of the sport. He exemplified values such as religious freedom, racial justice, and the triumph of principle over expedience, in and out of the boxing ring. Ali began boxing at age 12, and he won the world heavyweight championship in 1964. He converted to Islam, and citing his religious beliefs he refused to be conscripted into the US Army, opposing American involvement in the Vietnam War. He was eventually arrested anc found guilty of draft evasion charges, and str stripped of his boxing title. He did not fight again for nearly four years—losing a time of peak performance in an athlete's career. Ali's appeal worked its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where in 1971 his conviction was overturned. Ali's actions as a conscientious objector to the war made him an icon for the larger counterculture generation. Ali remains the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion; he won the title in 1964, 1974, and 1978. He transformed the role and image of the African American athlete in America by his embrace of racial pride and his willingness to antagonize the white establishment in doing so. A caption on the back states: "1986.5.26 To Dear Mr Smith. Boxing Coach Wang Shou-xim Beijing Institute of Physical Education";
Date:
[1970?–1985?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Springfield College--International
Springfield College
Smith, Charles J.
Ali, Muhammad, 1942-2016
Boxing
Boxers (Sports)
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/15317
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
rg105-01-e-01-06-002
international-center-ali-xim