America250 Lecture Series – Sports in the Shadow of World War II

This lecture examines how World War II fundamentally reshaped athletics, as major sporting events were suspended, athletes were drafted into military service, and leagues were forced to adapt for survival.
Topics include the cancelled 1940 and 1944 Olympics, the World Cup, the rise of women’s professional baseball, team mergers like the Steagles, and military base athletics. Despite wartime challenges, sports remained a crucial source of morale and unity on the home front.
The lecture will be presented by Sam Sprunger, President of Lounge Media Group, a history educator with more than 15 years of teaching experience and a sports coaching background.
Cost: Free for members; $7 for non-members (includes self-guided museum tour).