Flint Northern, 1941
2025 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Baseball
Hershel Pritchard broke down many racial barriers in the early 1940’s when he became one of the only African Americans on Flint Northern Men’s Baseball Team. Hershel exceeded the odds and earned unanimous All-Valley recognition as a first baseman in his senior season. Hershel preferred playing softball over baseball, and went on to play for many local, state and national softball teams. He was an original member of the Flint Yellow Dogs softball team, which was inducted into the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame. Hershel also played softball for the Joe Louis Punchers and Pontiac Moors softball teams.
Over many years Hershel was an important sports figure in and around the city of Flint. He was the first African American director of the Flint Class A basketball league, the first African American referee in Flint city league basketball history and the first African American umpire in Flint city league baseball history. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hershel helped supervise and mentor kids at McKinley Center in Flint. He was a major force in making sure that the Flint community always had sports as an outlet for those that needed it. For his efforts Hershel was loved and respected by athletes, coaches and referees throughout the city of Flint and surrounding areas.
In 1977, Hershel was awarded the Walter Reuther Award, a distinguished service award for UAW members that have authenticated 20 years of dedication to the ideals of human dignity and social justice for all. Hershel was one of the founders of the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame.
Hershel Pritchard, you are the true definition of being “Flint Strong!” You have made Flint proud, welcome to the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame!
