Our relationship with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Roy and Roxie Campanella Foundation is founded in a shared love for the profession of physical therapy. Sixty years ago, baseball Hall of Famer Roy Campanella had a bright career playing for the Dodgers. He was also paving the way for other athletes of color to get into major league baseball. But a car accident that left him paralyzed threatened all he had worked for.
He didn’t have much hope, but his wife Roxie did; she encouraged him to get into physical therapy.Through the healing process, he learned he could flourish in life and continue a career in baseball, and his professional relationship with the Dodgers took on a new shape that would enrich the team for years to come.
Meet their daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, friend to the College and Dean’s Circle member. Here she shares about her parents and their love and appreciation for baseball and physical therapy. If you are having trouble accessing the video below, watch it on CSUN YouTube.