Organizing and planning, for
Sports Spectacular, first began during the month of May, 1966, with a group of black youngsters from the streets of Southeast and South Central Los Angeles, Watts and Park Village in Compton. The elementary, junior high, and high school students were brought together by Jim Hawkins, a young college student and Assistant Staff Manager for Pacific Telephone Company and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran. Most of the kids were either disadvantaged or foster children wanting to improve their conditions and also improve respective communities by uplifting the spirits of their friends and neighbors. At that time, the whole nation--the world--was inspired by the stirring words and dedication of great leaders and people. John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Eldridge Cleaver, Robert Kennedy, Malcolm-X. Also, there was little available to help young people progress. The country was also fraught with racism and hatred. This particular group of children were inspired by Jim Hawkins. They desired to do better. "Ask not what you country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." It was as if everyone heard and reacted to these words, at the same. Finally, something to believe in. Loads of people got involved in doing positive things for the nation.
The young students (ages 6-14) spent their summer vacation time and after school hours with Jim, while he taught them about Good Sportsmanship and Fair Play, the World Olympic Games, Health, Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Community Organization and Leadership Skills, Management, Electronics, Telephone Circuitry, Mores Code, Semaphore, Flashing Light, Journalism, Seamanship, Scuba Diving, Search and Rescue and Public Speaking.
Most children were students at one of the following schools: Trinity Elementary School; Carver, John Adams Junior High Schools; Fremont, Jefferson, Whidney, Dorsey, Compton, Manual Arts, Verbum Dei and Jordan High Schools.
As the young students were being taught by Jim Hawkins, Jim was learning more about grass-roots leadership and community organizing by donating more of his time and helping sponsor the Southeast Youth Council (operated by Mrs. Betty Cliffort); Lou Smith and Robert Hall at Operation Boot Strap; Stan King, Francis Hollis, James Bragg at the Los Angeles County Department of Community Services and Federation of Community Coordinating Councils; Maurice Lemons, Robbie Roberts, Skipper Joe Hines, Sarg Johnson with the Boy Scouts of America; Anastacia Fields 32nd Street Neighborhood Council.
Months later, all of this special training began to focus. It was time for the special training sessions to end; Jim Hawkins had to return to his work with Pacific Telephone. However, the children wanted to apply their newly acquired skills in the community. As such, they planned and organized an event which involved families, friends and generally reached out to the entire Los Angeles Community and touched other children around the world. The event gave children of all ages the opportunity to "Show Off Their Skills" and win prizes too. They listed and organized dozens of "The Street Games" that children played daily. Participants were allowed to play as long and as often as each desired. All the games and activities thought of, took place on the same day and at the same time. Having been inspired by the possibility that it was possible to believe in America. They made their first, personal mark on the whole world. The children named it: the SPORTS SPECTACULAR.