Art Dorrington
Character and Leadership Development

Many black hockey players have followed Dorrington since he broke the color barrier in 1950. Dorrington's Sea Gull hockey jersey #16 has been retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

Dorrington is hailed as one of the fastest skaters on ice during his career. He was touted as being the "Jackie Robinson of Ice Hockey". Why? He was the first black in the sport in the USA and because he encountered the same discrimination, intolerance, bigotry, prejudice and racism as Jackie Robinson.

Dorrington came to the United States in 1950 after signing a contract with the New York Rangers. He was sent to Atlantic City to play with the Sea Gulls Hockey Team. He took the Gulls to the Eastern League Championship in his first year with that team (1951). He later led the Eastern League in scoring. In the years that followed he joined the hockey teams in New York, Boston, Johnstown, Washington and Philadelphia. His career was interrupted in 1956 when he was inducted into the United States Army. His career came to an end in 1958 when he received a serious injury to the leg while playing with the Philadelphia Ramblers.

Dorrington settled in Atlantic City, New Jersey and became a citizen of the United States in 1958. He married the love of his life, Dorothie Williamson who he was married to for 54 years before she passed away in February of 2004. Dorrington continues to reside in Atlantic City. The couple had one loving daughter, Dorrie who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the President of Dorrington and Saunders Consultant Firm and is also on the faculty of Wellesley College in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Dorrington was always active in community activities in is adopted home, Atlantic City. When Dorrington was a supervisor at the Sea Skate Ice Pavilion working with children in the after school program, he conceived the idea of starting an ice hockey program for inner-city youth. Realizing that ice hockey is an expensive sport, he worked tirelessly to raise money to support his dream; thus the Art Dorrington Ice Hockey Foundation was formed.

Now in its 10th year the program serves over 40 youths a year. It gives the opportunity to increase their educational, social recreational and social experience as they participate in the program. It reaches them discipline, self-esteem and respect as they participate in the sport of ice hockey.

The Foundation's Ice Hockey program is one of 30 programs supported by the national Hockey League Diversity Task Force that encourages youth of various nationalities to participate in the sport of ice hockey. At a 2005 Willie O'Ree Annual All Star Game, Art received the "Volunteer of the Year Award" from the NHL diversity Task Force for outstanding service to the children of his community.

Dorrington retired on 2004 from the Atlantic City Recreation Department. He was formerly employed by the Atlantic City Sheriff Department and retired in 1994 after serving in the court and transportation divisions for twenty years. Dorrington has been the Softball Commissioner for Atlantic City for well over twenty years. He was the consultant for the Boardwalk Bullies when they became the East Coast Hockey League Champions in 2004.

Mr. Dorrington is the past Vice President and treasurer of the Police Benevolent Association, Local #243. An avid golfer,he is a past member of the Apex Golf Club.