Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Spring Valley: 1  Illinois Valley Community College (about 6 miles; Oglesby, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,747). 2  Kishwaukee College (about 46 miles; Malta, IL; FT enrollment: 3,356). 3  Illinois Central College (about 47 miles; East Peoria, IL; FT enrollment: 7,158).
Breaking the Color Barrier. After his discharge from the Army in 1944, Robinson began to play baseball professionally. At the time, the sport was segregated, and African-Americans and whites played in separate leagues.
Robinson Makes History. On April 9, 1947, five days before the start of baseball season, Branch Rickey made the announcement that 28-year-old Jackie Robinson would play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The announcement came on the heels of a difficult spring training.