Sam Hairston Educational Scholarship
Class of 2027 Application
A Baseball Pioneer and His Legacy
Sam Harding Hairston wasn’t just a player, he was a trailblazer. In 1950, he dominated the American Negro Leagues, winning the triple crown with a .424 batting average, 17 home runs, and 71 RBIs in just 70 games with the Indianapolis Clowns.
His extraordinary performance earned him a contract with the Chicago White Sox, making him the first African-American player to wear their uniform in 1951, just two and a half months after Cuban-born Minnie "The Comet" Minoso broke the color barrier for the team.
Before reaching the majors, Hairston played with the Birmingham Black Barons, where he even taught a young 16-year-old Willie Mays a few things, sharing tips that would help shape a legend. Due to segregation, most of Hairston's prime years were spent excelling in the Negro Leagues, leaving him only a brief opportunity for a MLB career. However, his impact on the game has endured far beyond the diamond. The Hairston legacy didn’t stop with Sam. He became the patriarch of baseball’s “first family,” with his sons and grandsons carrying on the tradition in the major leagues across three generations.
Application Deadline is March 31, 2027
Applications for the Class of 2027
Sam Hairston Educational Scholarship
Applications Accepted
November 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
We’re excited to announce that applications for the
Sam Hairston Educational Scholarship Class of 2027
will open on November 1, 2026.
We applaud your commitment to pursuing your educational goals and investing in your future. It is our privilege to learn more about your journey, your aspirations, and the difference you hope to make.
Your education is an investment in your future.
We encourage you to prepare for this opportunity
and take the next step toward your educational goals.
.