Wooster in Wayne County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Charles W. Follis

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 7, 2020

1. Charles W. Follis Marker

Inscription.

Charles W. Follis was born on February 3, 1879, in Virginia. His family moved to Wooster where he attended Wooster High School and helped establish the school’s football team. In 1901, Follis enrolled and played baseball at the College of Wooster and played football for the Wooster Athletic Association where he earned the nickname “The Black Cyclone from Wooster.” In 1904, Follis signed a contract to play football with the Shelby Athletic Club, making him the first African-American professional football player. Follis faced discrimination on and off the field leading to many injuries. After a career-ending injury in 1906, Follis played baseball for the Cuban Giants of Long Island. He died of pneumonia in 1910 at the age of 31 and is buried in Wooster Cemetery.

Erected 2019 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Wayne County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 8-85.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1879.

Location. 40° 50.236′ N, 81° 56.956′

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W. Marker is in Wooster, Ohio, in Wayne County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Oldman Road (County Route 420) and Oak Hill Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the campus of Wooster High School to the right of the entrance to Follis Field. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wooster OH 44691, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. General Reasin Beall Homestead / Wayne County Historical Society (approx. 2.4 miles away); Harvey Howard House / Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (approx. 2½ miles away); War Savings Stamps (approx. 2.7 miles away); Wayne County Soldier’s Monument (approx. 2.7 miles away); Twenty Pounder Parrott Guns (approx. 2.8 miles away); United States Of America • Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient (approx. 2.8 miles away); General David Wooster (approx. 2.8 miles away); To the Heroes (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wooster.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry. Excerpt:

During the 1902 and 1903 seasons, Follis played for Shelby. During a 58–0 win over a team from Fremont, Follis ran for a 60-yard touchdown. In 1904, he helped lead the Blues to an 8–1–1 record. Their only loss was to the Massillon Tigers, the 1904 Ohio League champions. In 1906, the Blues became an entirely
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 7, 2020

2. Charles W. Follis Marker
open professional team. Charles missed the early part of the season due to an injury, however he did return in the second half of the season. Finally, on Thanksgiving Day 1906, while playing against the Franklin Athletic Club of Cleveland, he suffered another injury, though this one ended his career. ...

In 1902, he left Wooster University and by 1909 he was catching for the Cuban Giants. He became the Giants' star catcher, their leading slugger and their most popular player. Follis was credited with many stolen bases, double plays, and even two triple plays in his career. However, he had a better reputation as a power hitter. On May 16, 1906, Buttons Briggs, a pitcher formerly of the National League's Chicago Cubs, was brought in by Elyria to pitch against the Wooster Giants. This moved was intended to intimate Wooster, since Briggs won 20 games in 1905. However Follis as the lead-off batter in the first inning, first ball hit a home run off the former major league star’s first pitch. He completed the day with four-for-six against Buttons. ...

One of Follis' Shelby teammates during the 1902 and 1903 seasons was Branch Rickey. Rickey would later become the general manager of baseball's Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was often hired to play for Shelby while attending nearby Ohio Wesleyan University. Rickey also played against Follis on October

3. Charles W. Follis (1879-1910)
17, 1903, when he ran for a 70-yard touchdown against the Ohio Wesleyan football team. It is highly probable that Rickey's first-hand observation of Follis influenced his decision to sign Jackie Robinson to a Major League Baseball contract in 1947, breaking baseball’s color barrier.

(Submitted on June 14, 2020.)

Charles W. Follis in his football gear image. Click for full size.

4. Charles W. Follis in his football gear

Follis Field Entrance, Wooster Ohio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 7, 2020

5. Follis Field Entrance, Wooster Ohio

The marker is visible at the far right of this photograph.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 14, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.