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ALBANY – “Breaking What Barriers? A Discussion on Color, Race and Ethics in Sports” will be the topic of a panel representing professional sports, national sports media and college athletics at the New York State Museum Friday, Dec. 9th.

The panel discussion, to be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Museum Theater, is one of several free programs being held in conjunction with the Museum’s two exhibitions -- Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers, a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and Miracles: New York’s Greatest Sports Moments, organized by the State Museum.

The moderator of the panel will be Dr. Joseph Bowman Jr., a regent of the University of the State of New York and director of the Center for Urban Youth and Technology at the University at Albany.

Panelists are Dick Barnett, former NBA player and currently assistant professor of sports management at St. John's University; Walter Chattman, former pro football player and retired associate commissioner of the New York State Department of Correctional Services; Bill Daughtry, co-host of "Sports Desk" on the MSG Network; Trina Patterson, head women's basketball coach at the University at Albany; Dr. Harold Merritt, director of athletics and athletic facilities at the College of Staten Island; Dr. Lee McElroy Jr., director of athletics and recreation at the University at Albany and Dennis Jackson, president and executive director of P.L.A.Y. Inc. (Planned Learning Achievement for Youth).

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers, at the Museum through Jan. 8, 2006, focuses on 35 athletes in 17 sports. Highlighting artifacts from the Smithsonian's sports collection, the exhibition spotlights the pioneering men and women who dominated their sports, championed their country, race, or sex, and helped others to achieve. Among those who broke racial barriers are Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play major league baseball; Bill Russell, game strategist and first African-American NBA coach; Althea Gibson, the first African-American Wimbledon competitor and champ and

Dominique Dawes, the first African-American Olympic gymnast and gold medalist.

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There are a variety of other programs planned to complement the sports exhibitions. Vacation Week Sports Day on Wednesday, December 28th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will invite children and adults to create a new sport or improve on an old one. Participants will be able to design the equipment and make the rules.

“Sports Bowl” on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14-15, 2006 will feature a sports trivia competition for adults 16 years of age or older in the Museum Theater. Participants will enter their team of four players in the preliminary round on Jan. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final challenge will be on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required by December 30. To register call (518) 473-7154 or e-mail psteinba@mail.nysed.gov.

A Sports Film Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, January 28-29, 2006 in the Museum Theater for adults and children. Films will be shown at noon and 2:30 p.m.

“Pajama Games,” a girls’ night out to enjoy sports and watch movies, will be held for girls ages 10-13 on Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Museum. Pizza and popcorn will be provided. Pajamas and stuffed toys are encouraged but optional. There is a $5 fee and pre-registration is required.

To register call (518) 473-7154 or e-mail psteinba@mail.nysed.gov."

The New York State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education. Founded in 1836, the Museum has the longest continuously operating state natural history research and collection survey in the U.S. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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