From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Dishman, Garland S.
(born: April 8, 1930 - died: September 1, 1957)This entry was suggested by Willa Relford Gentry.
Garland Dishman played football at Kentucky State College where he was also a boxer. He was later a Chicago Police Officer. Dishman was born in New Zion, KY, the son of Oscar and Anna L. Henderson Dishman. He was the brother of horse trainer Oscar Dishman, Jr. Garland Dishman was a student at Kentucky State College when he participated in the Golden Gloves Tournaments in Lexington, KY. In 1948, he boxed in the middleweight division. The following year, he moved up to compete in the light-heavyweight division. He and Pierre Jackson trained together, and in 1949, they competed against each other in the Golden Gloves Tournament. Pierre W. Jackson won by decision, 175-171.
In 1950, Pierre W. Jackson had used up his four years of eligibility in the Golden Gloves. This made way for Garland Dishman who defeated Virgil Lee Hayden (167-161) to become the new light-heavyweight champion of the Negro Division of the Golden Gloves Tournament held in Lexington, KY. Garland Dishman continued his boxing career as a Golden Gloves contender. He defeated Virgil Hayden again in 1951 and went on to win the state tournament held in Louisville for the second time. Each year, the state championship made him eligible to compete in the National Golden Gloves Tournament in Chicago, IL.
In 1952, Garland Dishman had graduated from college. He married Jean Griffith in Chicago. Griffith had been a basketball player at Kentucky State College. She was from Owensboro, KY. Garland Dishman would become a Chicago Police Officer. He died in a car accident in 1957.
Sources: See "Scott schools set exercises," Sunday Herald-Leader, 05/09/1943, p.23; "Tonight's Golden Gloves Program," The Lexington Herald, 01/26/1948, p.3; "Golden Gloves program tonight at Woodland Auditorium," The Lexington Leader, 01/14/1949, p.6; see Garland Dishman in the article "Leonard Long is awarded ring sportsmanship prize," The Lexington Leader, 01/20/1940, p.10; "Tuesday night's Golden Gloves Program," Sunday Herald-Leader, 01/22/1950, p.14; "Dishman and Martinez earn state GG titles at Louisville," The Lexington Herald, 02/13/1951, p.6; "Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Dishman, Sr. ...," Sunday Herald-Leader, 03/02/1952, p.35; "Garland Dishman, 27, Chicago was killed ...," The Lexington Leader, 09/04/1957, p.19; "Colored Notes: "Card of Thanks," Sunday Herald-Leader, 09/22/1957, p.78.
