Bronson Gentry is a pioneer for African-Americans in organized horseshoes. He was the first Afro-American to win the City of Detroit, State of Michigan and National AAU Championships. Bronson was the Michigan State Fair Champion six times and twice the International Freedom Tournament Champion. In 1978, the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame inducted Bronson, an honor bestowed at the time to one other horseshoe pitcher, Lee Jacobs. Bronson later received a Life Member Award from this Hall of Fame in 1980. The culmination, so far, of his horseshoe career is to have the Detroit horseshoe club named in his honor, the Pop Gentry Horseshoe Club. There is a remarkable story here which involves many facets of Bronson's rich and fulfilling life.

Before Bronson became involved with horseshoe pitching, African-Americans in Detroit knew very little about organized horseshoes. The rules and regulations were unknown that governed horseshoes. When African-Americans at the Maheras Recreation Canter began entering local tournaments the only known rules were "alley rules." When these pitchers went to the district tournaments, they stood little chance of winning. Never playing on clay courts, their opponents throwing "Big Shoes" and coached by WSHPA members put the youth of the Maheras Recreation Center at quite a disadvantage.

The following year Bronson Gentry went to the, district tournament and found what the Maheras, youth had told him was true. Understanding the situation, Bronson approached one man John Phillip, who was coaching the Chandler Park youths. Bronson met with Mr. Phillip the next day.

What took place that day was the beginning of Bronson's horseshoe career. He received a set of the rules and regulations and was explained the game of horseshoes. Mr. Phillip gave Bronson a pair of Ted Allen horseshoes. For the next three months Mr. Phillip taught Bronson how to throw the turn and a quarter.

In. 1956, Bronson began pitching in city and state AAU tournaments and WSHPA tournaments. The first WSHPA tournament he played in, was at Lake Orion. He passed the knowledge he gained in these tournaments to the youth and adults of the Maheras Recreation Center. It did not take long before. African-American youths and adults became champions in local, district, city and state AAU tournaments.

Bronson quickly became a top player in Michigan. It was unfortunate that during this time he did net Compete in the Michigan State Championship Tournament because of other commitments. He was a. threat to win any tournament that he entered.

Mrs. Lois Gentry wrote, "You must. understand that my husband was not avoiding WSHPA tournaments. It just happened that the State AAU and the State Fair tournaments were held on Labor Day. Working with the youth and on city problems comes first with my husband. If he had put his volunteering time into practicing horseshoes, I knew he would have been a WSHPA Champion, often. The years that he did not pitch were due to his health. He has had a brain tumor, a triple heart bypass, torn rotator Cuff in both arms, arthritis in both legs and strokes. He now wears a brace on his left leg from his hip to his foot. After all of this he is still trying to pitch horseshoes."

Bronson's contributions to horseshoes are only a part of whom Bronson really is. His service to his community and to the people who lived there came first. Bronson was a leading force in getting the Stark Elementary School and the Maheras Recreation Center built. He founded Boy Scout Troop 187. He formed community groups that tackled the tough problems in his community. Bronson faced the ills of his community eye to eye and. never blinked. He helped in getting street lights placed at dangerous intersections. Through his actions his community became a safer place to live and a healthier environment for all.

Bronson was a leader of a volunteer anti crime patrol during the 1960's. He went into the streets with a large group of men to cool things down when a summer disturbance threatened to erupt into a riot. He earned the Police Citizen Award in recognition of his outstandingness to police-citizen cooperation and understanding. The Detroit News felt that Bronson displayed a unique sense of the individual's obligation to the community.

In 1969, Bronson received the Lane Bryant Volunteer Award for the most outstanding community service performed by an individual. There were six thousand people nominated for this award. The purpose of the award is to bring this work to public attention - not to whitewash social ills, but to highlight them and the positive action combating them. It is a tribute to those who would not - could not - be thwarted by the impossible. Among the judges for this award was Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Governor Richard Hughes of New Jersey and Lawrence Spivak, the producer of Meet the Press. The award was presented to Bronson in Washington, D.C., Along with the award came a $5,000.00 prize. This was nearly the amount of money he earned in one year. Bronson spent this money for gifts to 900 youngsters at the Stark Elementary School, Christmas baskets for needy families, art supplies for the ceramics, art classes he taught, to the neighborhood Maheras Recreation Center and. to the youth in his horseshoe groups for new horseshoes and. T-shirts.

On December 2, 1969 the Michigan Legislature in House Concurrent Resolution No. 281 honored Bronson for winning the Lane Bryant Volunteer Award. The resolution in part said that "Mr. Gentry, one of Detroit's most dedicated and responsible citizens, has an indomitable spirit in the preservation of the community and. has initiated programs to combat many problems facing Detroit residents."

Bronson has received letters of recognition from President Richard Nixon, Governor William Milliken and Detroit Mayor Roman Gibbs. He and his wife, Lois, were guests of President and Mrs. Nixon at the White House.

. It was ironic that Bronson ended his tournament play at the same place he 'played his first tournament, Lake Orion. Bronson may no longer play in tournaments but we are sure he will be around cheering, and encouraging his club members on. Bronson truly cares and works for people in ways most of us dream about. We, the membership of the WSHPA, are proud to have such a fine man as Bronson Gentry as one of our members.