Statesboro residents and Georgia Southern University students can get a history lesson tonight on the diamond with a free viewing of the Jackie Robinson film “42” at J.I Clements stadium.

Tonight at 8:30 the University Programming Board will offer a free viewing of “42” at the baseball stadium. The movie will be open to all students, faculty and Statesboro community members.

“Doors will open at 8 p.m. and concessions will be available for purchase. We have a great partnership with Eagle Athletics letting us use the stadium, Eagle Dining providing the concessions and us providing the movie,” Olivia Barker, activities coordinator for the Office of Student Activities, said.

“42” is the story of Jackie Robinson, his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers and their legendary manager   Branch Rickey. The movie follows Robinson as he fights his way to break down the racial barrier in baseball in the 1940s.

“This summer the staff looked for popular flicks that people wanted to see, earlier we showed ‘21’ which was more just for the students on campus, and then we showed ‘Jack the Giant Slayer,’ which 300 people came out for and was more family focused. Now we’re showing ’42,’ which is something for the whole community,” Barker said.

The UPB will be showing “42” just two days after the official release date, giving community members the chance to watch it completely free in case they missed it in theatres.

“I think it’s a great way to get to watch a new movie for free on a big screen. I’ll definitely go,” Mary Parton, junior education major at GSU, said.

UPB hosts a variety of events during the school year for students and uses the summer to focus on providing free events for everyone in the community, Barker said.

Barker said, “We’ve promoted it for the entire community, because we wanted to find some cool ways to get the community plugged in with our campus this summer.”