Club 42 is a 501c non-profit that celebrates the legacy of Jackie Robinson by supporting diversity in sports and creating a cultural exchange between affluent white communities and under-served inner cities by:
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Sponsoring sports development for under-served players
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Fixing fields in inner-cities
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Assisting with academic Tuition Awards for deserving players
"JACKIE JAM" MLK JR WEEKEND 2016
FEATURING BASEBALL AT MLBUYA + FOOTBALL AT THE ROSE BOWL + BASKETBALL AT BRANCA VILLA
CLUB 42 OVERVIEW
FEATURING CHRIS ROCK, UCLA BASEBALL COACH JOHN SAVAGE, BOBBY VALENTINE, JOHN & RALPH BRANCA
CLUB 42 LAUNCHES @ DODGER STADIUM - AUGUST 2014
DYLAN BRANCA THROWS OUT 1ST PITCH TO JAYLIN FROM MLB URBAN YOUTH ACADEMY
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
Jackie Robinson
PROGRAMS
CLUB 42 "FIX THE FIELDS" - INNER CITY FIELD RENOVATIONS
Club 42 leads and supports the collaborative effort to renovate inner-city parks and recreational facilities for inner-city youth. Currently, Club 42 is renovating a baseball field at Roger’s Park in Inglewood, Calif.
CLUB 42 5 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY
“Ralph was a true friend and I loved him. He and Ann were among our dearest Dodger family friends. He was a man of integrity and humility and we felt his sincerity. I will treasure my warm memories of our times together. I was very saddened to receive this news.”
-- Rachel Robinson
NY Daily News, 11/23/17, full article
IN LOVING MEMORY
RALPH BRANCA, BELOVED BROOKLYN DODGERS PITCHER & INSPIRATION FOR CLUB 42, PASSED AWAY ON 11.23.16
HE WAS 90 YEARS OLD.
MLB legend, Frank Robinson throws out 1st pitch for Club 42's "Jackie Jam" game at Rogers Park in Inglewood, CA
Phase 1 (in-field) renovations have been completed at Rogers Park in Inglewood, CA. Next step... the outfield!
CLUB 42 "SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS" BASEBALL SHOWCASE
42* Saturday Nights a year, Club 42, in collaboration with non-profit youth baseball team, Inner City Elite (I.C.E), host a middle school baseball Saturday night showcase invitational from Rogers Park in Inglewood, California and Oaks Christian Middle School field in Westlake Village, Calif. The Club 42 Saturday Night Lights Baseball Showcase is meant to break socioeconomic and racial barriers, and allows any and all highly skilled baseball players within the Southern California area.
CLUB 42 "HOOPS & HITTING"
Club 42 hosts a hoops + hitting work out to refine skills for Club 42 athletes who are involved with our Saturday Night Lights showcase and elite basketball-focused athletes. Qualified basketball coaches give the basketball instruction, and Club 42 coaches give hitting instruction.
"42 BOWL"
Club 42 is proud to partner with America’s Stadium, The Rose Bowl, for seasonal 7-on-7 football events. The 1st Annual 42 Bowl was held in celebration of MLK Jr, January 17, 2016. We had a 2nd 42 Bowl in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, April 15th 2016.
UCLA FOOTBALL COACH JIM MORA WITH CLUB 42'S ERIN JONES-WESLEY & MELISSA BOWDEN
"SQUAD 42" - CLUB 42 DANCE TEAM
Imagine sports without entertainment. Imagine a football game without a half-time performance. Club 42 is building a Dance Team that will perform at our events and in sports-music video productions.
CLUB 42 ON LIFETIME'S DANCE MOMS
The cast of Dance Moms perform a baseball routine wearing the
42 jerseys in support of Club 42.
BACK STORY
The catalyst for the creation of Club 42 came from the relationship between Jackie Robinson and Ralph Branca on the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers as celebrated in the movie “42”.
Ralph Branca was one of Robinson’s biggest supporters and friends. He ate with him when they traveled, encouraged him to partake in activities with the rest of the team, and proudly stood beside him when Robinson first took the field on opening day in 1947.
Ralph’s nephew, John Branca, who lives in Los Angeles and has a 12 year old son who is the lead-off pitcher for Club 42, is providing the seed capital to build Club 42 as a tribute to his uncle and the legacy of Jackie Robinson.
RALPH BRANCA,
1947
RALPH BRANCA,
1947
A highlight from Ken Burns PBS Special, "Jackie Robinson" - http://www.pbs.org/video/2365712780/
Ralph Branca and Jackie Robinson in Legendary Entertainment/Paramount Picture's "42"
HIGHLIGHTS
click photos for video
 Club 42 Launches at Dodgers |  The 42 Bowl @ The Rose Bowl |  The Rocket Coaches Club42 |
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 Bobby Valentine Coaches Club 42 |  |  Club 42 Wins Joe Torre Safe at Home Tourney |
 Club 42 at Jackie Robinson Stadium |  Club 42 Plays 7on7 at Rose Bowl |  Pitching Clinic with Roger Clemens |
FOUNDERS
John Branca
Co-Founder
Angel
Johnny Buc Lockwood
Co-Founder
Creative Director
Melissa Bowden
Co-Founder Executive Director
Tommy Jackson
Community Director
COACHES / DIRECTORS
Erin Jones-Wesley
Program Director
In Memory
Ric Cly
Coach
GUEST COACHES
Tom Ramsey
Former NFL QB,
Hall of Famer for UCLA and Rose Bowl
Frank Robinson
Former MLB outfielder, Hall-of-Famer, 1st African American MLB manager
Roger Clemens
One of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history
Bobby Valentine
Former MLB player & manager
NEWS
DONORS
With special thanks to the following individuals & families for their generous contributions
Steve Abraham
John Branca
Melissa Bowden
Dedan Brozino, The Rose Bowl
Roger Clemens
Ric Cly
Liz & Scott Denham
The Danco Family
The Gering Family
Dennis Gilbert
Tommy & Brenda Jackson
Johnny Buc Lockwood
Loy & Tuki Maxon
Dan & Alison Pettrocelli
Clare Staples & Christopher Polk Read
Frank & Barbara Robinson
Coach John Savage, UCLA Baseball
Bobby Valentine
CONTACT
We can't wait to hear from you
MELISSA BOWDEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
