Early Career
One of Mallie's greatest dreams was for her children to go to school, well her dreams were fulfilled. Jackie, like most other children, went to elementary school. After attending Washington Junior High, Jackie enrolled at John Muir Technical High school. Robinson was just like any other student in the classroom, but as an athlete, Jackie excelled. Using his older brother Mack, who silvered in the 1936 Olympics in the 200 meter dash, as a role model, Jack pushed himself. Lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track, Jackie proved that he had a special gift. Many of his friends said that it was his competitiveness that propelled him to success. "He was a hard loser," recalled one of his friends, " He took losses very hard. The rest of us might shrug off a loss, but Jack would cry if we lost."
After graduating in 1937, Robinson was accepted to Pasadena Junior College. Once again his athletic ability pushed him far ahead of the competition, attracting a great deal of attention his way. After two years in Pasadena, Jackie transferred to UCLA, with a scholarship in the football program. Yet again, Robinson earned a letter in football, basketball, baseball, and track at UCLA. Despite his athletic success, he doubted that he would ever make a living playing professional sports. After two years, he left UCLA and joined the world of business. However, his business career was short-lived because he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He faced racial discrimination that prevented him from advancing up the ranks in the army. On one occasion, he was arrested for not moving to the back of an army bus. After his discharge from the army, Jackie decided to pursue a baseball career and joined the Kansas City Royals of the Negro Leagues.
After graduating in 1937, Robinson was accepted to Pasadena Junior College. Once again his athletic ability pushed him far ahead of the competition, attracting a great deal of attention his way. After two years in Pasadena, Jackie transferred to UCLA, with a scholarship in the football program. Yet again, Robinson earned a letter in football, basketball, baseball, and track at UCLA. Despite his athletic success, he doubted that he would ever make a living playing professional sports. After two years, he left UCLA and joined the world of business. However, his business career was short-lived because he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He faced racial discrimination that prevented him from advancing up the ranks in the army. On one occasion, he was arrested for not moving to the back of an army bus. After his discharge from the army, Jackie decided to pursue a baseball career and joined the Kansas City Royals of the Negro Leagues.