"FROM SUGAR TO DIAMONDS"
The Exhibit (Phase I) "From Sugar to Diamonds"* - Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s
Join us as Mujeres de Colores present The Exhibit "From Sugar to Diamonds"* - Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s at City of Fort Collins Center for Creativity in the Historic Carnegie Library located at 200 Matthews in Fort Collins from September 10th - 28th. (*Title, picture, & excerpts used with approval from Jody L and Gabriel A Lopez, the authors of the book by the same name.)
RECEPTION: Fri., Sept.12th from 6 to 7:30 PM and you are cordially invited.
The Exhibit is open on Wed. thru Sun. from 12 to 6:00 PM (Closed Mon. and Tues.).
The Exhibit features baseball memorabilia from the 4 baseball teams from the 1930s to 1960s who played in Fort Collins and formed the first Hispanic Baseball League of Northern Colorado as a result of discrimination which prohibited the players from playing in the “white” leagues.
You will learn about:
- Mr. Fred Olivas who started the First Fort Collins Hispanic team in 1920
- The Fort Collins Rebels of the 1950s
- The Fort Collins Merchants of 1963 (Northside Fort Collins)
- The Fort Collins Merchants of 1965 (2nd Merchants team)
- The Fort Collins Legionnaires
- Mr. Lee Suniga who was instrumental in forming the league
You will hear and learn about The Documentary Film currently being produced by Mujeres de Colores titled, "From Sugar to Diamonds"* – Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s.
You'll also hear about The Monument "From Sugar to Diamonds"* – Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s, being considered for commissioning by Mujeres de Colores. A bronze replica of the monument will be on display at the reception, as will the documentary film’s trailer made possible by the generosity of Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado (ISAAC NOCO).
Many THANKS!!! to Jody L and Gabriel A Lopez for allowing us to use the title, picture, and excerpts from their book. Thank you to EVERYONE who assisted in preserving this important part of history; Jason Van Vleet of Iconic Digital Studios, Braydon Walker, Amy Esch (photographer), Lori Acott and Adam Schultz of Dream Big Sculptures and Fort Collins Public Media. Special THANKS! to Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado (ISAAC NOCO) for sponsoring the trailer of our documentary film by the same title. We also GREATLY appreciate City of Fort Collins, Claudia Menendez, DeAngelo Bowden, Cheryl Donaldson, Nick Heimann, and the Center for Creativity staff, as well as the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. An enormous amount of gratitude to: Louis Suniga, son of Lee Suniga who was instrumental in forming the Hispanic and Mexican leagues. Also Cindy Vigil Valdez, John Moore, Juan Blanco, Kenny Cordova, Gabriel Lopez who shared their important stories with memorabilia and newspaper articles of family members who played baseball during the 1930s -1960s. Preserving history and honoring their legacy is what this exhibit and film are about. Many thanks to Ramona Martinez, and Patricia Barela-Rivera for their assistance in connecting us to Cory Little with the Colorado Rockies who facilitated access to Vinny Castilla and German Marquez to complete the interviews.
We plan to debut the documentary film trailer on September 12 during the reception.
Your support - - whether by funding, partnerships, sponsorships, or spreading the word - - will bring this important story to life and help preserve an essential piece of history.
The Documentary (Phase II) "From Sugar to Diamonds"* - Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s
Mujeres de Colores proudly presents,The Documentary Film "From Sugar to Diamonds"* - Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s (Title, picture, and some excerpts used with permission of the authors (*Title, picture, & excerpts used with approval from Jody L and Gabriel A Lopez, the authors of the book by the same name.)
This project is rooted in Mujeres de Colores' passion for preserving and sharing the rich history of Mexican, Mexican-American, and Hispanic communities. The film, tells the powerful and often overlooked story of the men who emerged from the sugarbeet fields of Northern Colorado between the 1930s and 1960s—not only to work but also to play the game they loved: baseball.
These players were pioneers. They overcame discrimination and economic hardship to compete in a sport that did not always welcome them. Their courage and passion laid the groundwork for future generations of athletes of color. This film highlights their journey—from dusty fields and makeshift uniforms to becoming community heroes and role models, ultimately helping pave the way for Latino representation in professional baseball, including today’s athletes playing for teams like the Colorado Rockies.
Mujeres de Colores, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to elevating the voices and stories of our community. We are committed to ensuring this legacy is not forgotten. This film is more than history—it is a celebration of perseverance, community, and love for the game.
The documentary is in its final stages of production. Our intent is to have the trailer completed in time for Hispanic Heritage Month of 2025 (September / October) timeframe. A most heartfelt THANKS! to Interfaith Solidarity and Acompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado (ISAAC NOCO) for their sponsorship of the trailer. We plan to debut the documentary film trailer at the reception on September 12 at the Exhibit at the City of Fort Collins Creativity Center located at 200 Matthews in Fort Collins.
Many THANKS!!! to Jody L and Gabriel A Lopez for allowing us to use the title, picture, and excerpts from their book. Thank you to EVERYONE who assisted in preserving this important part of history; Jason Van Vleet of Iconic Digital Studios, Braydon Walker, Amy Esch (photographer), Lori Acott and Adam Schultz of Dream Big Sculptures and Fort Collins Public Media. Special THANKS! to Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado (ISAAC NOCO) for sponsoring the trailer of our documentary film by the same title. We also GREATLY appreciate City of Fort Collins, Claudia Menendez, DeAngelo Bowden, Cheryl Donaldson, Nick Heimann, and the Center for Creativity staff, as well as the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. An enormous amount of gratitude to: Louis Suniga, son of Lee Suniga who was instrumental in forming the Hispanic and Mexican leagues. Also Cindy Vigil Valdez, John Moore, Juan Blanco, Kenny Cordova, Gabriel Lopez who shared their important stories with memorabilia and newspaper articles of family members who played baseball during the 1930s -1960s. Preserving history and honoring their legacy is what this exhibit and film are about. Many thanks to Ramona Martinez, and Patricia Barela-Rivera for their assistance in connecting us to Cory Little with the Colorado Rockies who facilitated access to Vinny Castilla and German Marquez to complete the interviews.
Your support - - whether by funding, partnerships, sponsorships, or spreading the word - - will bring this important story to life and help preserve an essential piece of history.
Check back for updates.
The Monument (Phase III) "From Sugar to Diamonds"* - Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s
Dream Big Sculptures -- Lori Acott and Adam Schultz -- provide this rendition of the monument to honor the Fort Collins Mexican, Mexican-American, and Hispanic Baseball Players and the Leagues they formed in the 1930s to 1960s.
The Monument "From Sugar to Diamonds"* - Honoring the Hispanic and Mexican Baseball Players of Fort Collins, 1930-1960s (Title, picture, and some excerpts used with permission of the authors (*Title, picture, & excerpts used with approval from Jody L and Gabriel A Lopez, the authors of the book by the same name.)
Although the titles are the same, the book tells the story of the, "Greeley Grays and the teams that dared to challenge them", our monument and documentary film tells the story of the players on the 4 teams from the Fort Collins area and the league they formed for their love of the game and their inability to play in the "white" leagues as a result of discrimination.
A bronze replica of the monument is planned for completion in September/October 2025 timeframe and we plan for it to be available and on display at the reception on September 12 at the Exhibit at the City of Fort Collins Creativity Center located at 200 Matthews in Fort Collins.
Many THANKS!!! to Jody L and Gabriel A Lopez for allowing us to use the title, picture, and excerpts from their book. Thank you to EVERYONE who assisted in preserving this important part of history; Jason Van Vleet of Iconic Digital Studios, Braydon Walker, Amy Esch (photographer), Lori Acott and Adam Schultz of Dream Big Sculptures and Fort Collins Public Media. Special THANKS! to Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado (ISAAC NOCO) for sponsoring the trailer of our documentary film by the same title. We also GREATLY appreciate City of Fort Collins, Claudia Menendez, DeAngelo Bowden, Cheryl Donaldson, Nick Heimann, and the Center for Creativity staff, as well as the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. An enormous amount of gratitude to: Louis Suniga, son of Lee Suniga who was instrumental in forming the Hispanic and Mexican leagues. Also Cindy Vigil Valdez, John Moore, Juan Blanco, Kenny Cordova, Gabriel Lopez who shared their important stories with memorabilia and newspaper articles of family members who played baseball during the 1930s -1960s. Preserving history and honoring their legacy is what this exhibit and film are about. Many thanks to Ramona Martinez, and Patricia Barela-Rivera for their assistance in connecting us to Cory Little with the Colorado Rockies who facilitated access to Vinny Castilla and German Marquez to complete the interviews.
We are continuing our conversations with the City of Fort Collins on placement of the monument to give recognition to the baseball players of Fort Collins and the teams they played.
Your support - - whether by funding, partnerships, sponsorships, or spreading the word - - will bring this important story to life and help preserve an essential piece of history.
Check back for updates.
