Calabar Lions » Calabar Old Boys

Herb McKenley – A year since the passing of a Great Jamaican

Kirk — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:01:01 +0000

It’s been a year since the passing of Herbert Henry McKenley, one of the greatest athletes ever born. A year ago this son of Jamaica and the Calabar High School family passed on at the age of 85 and the Calabarlions.com team would like to contribute to keeping the memory of such a great man fresh in the minds of all men and women whether you had gotten the opportunity to meet or be in the presence of Mr McKenley or not.

Read About Herb McKenley on Wikipedia
Herb McKenley Obituary on Times Online

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Herb McKenley Stadium to be Completed Soon

Kirk — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:53:59 +0000

Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Henry, has assured that the Herb McKenley Stadium in Central Clarendon, would be completed shortly. Mr. Henry, who made the announcement at a welcome reception for Jamaica’s team to the Beijing Olympic Games, held at the Norman Manley International Airport on October 3, as part of the seven-day Olympic Homecoming celebrations, informed that he had appointed former 400-metre world competitor, Sandy Richards, “to be the Ambassador to advise me and co-ordinate the development of that whole stadium.”

He noted that the facility would have a nine-lane running track, unlike the eight-lane running track at the National Stadium. “We’ll have a fifth generation astro-turf in place,” the Transport Minister added.

Mr. Henry, who is also Member of Parliament for the area, expressed the hope that the 12,000 to 15,000 capacity stadium, would “begin to manifest the Government’s involvement, the Government’s realisation that the individualistic aspect of our athletes, which come together in a team spirit, is what we have to capture in the wider community of Jamaica.”

The stadium is named in honour of the late great Olympian, Herb McKenley, who died on November 26 last year, at age 85.

On another matter, the Minister informed that the repair of roads in the communities of the six Olympic gold medallists was underway.

“My report is that we are progressing with them all. We have different things to deal with,” he said, noting that this deed should be seen as a contribution to the athletes’ communities, “as without your community, you could not have made it this far, but equally, I hope that your community recognises that they must respect your achievements as part of their daily lives.”

Source – JIS

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School is no Joke Tour Passes Through Calabar High

Kirk — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:24:20 +0000

You’ve got mail, Voicemail!

On the Wednesday of last week, the tour visited three schools, Jamaica College, Kingston College and Calabar; the alma maters of the members of the Dancehall trio, Voicemail. The first stop was Jamaica College, which exultantly welcomed the artistes. Kevin and Oniel highlighted that the members of the group, although coming from different backgrounds (schools) worked together to achieve success.

The final stop was at Calabar High School. This tour was by far the most organised tour of the three. The students were all neatly seated in the auditorium when the bus arrived.

Dancehall Trio – Voicemail

There were cheers of excitement and anxiety when the bus parked outside the auditorium, as many of the students wondered which entertainers were in the bus. Craig, Kevin and Oneil departed from the bus and made their way to the platform inside the auditorium. The boys were very attentive and the artistes admirably delivered an exquisite speech. The boys asked interesting and productive questions. One of the awardees for most-improved student collected the award on behalf of the students.

Kevin (Calabar) – “Education is definitely no joke; youths need to realise it’s the only real way to success.”

Reverend Dr Horace Russell a Great Jamaican

Kirk — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:46:11 +0000

This evening, the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) hosts a worship service at Calabar to mark the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Reverend Dr Horace Russell to the Christian ministry.

This significant milestone will be held in the context of a very important week because starting tomorrow, the JBU will be hosting its 159th assembly.

It is also symbolic that it is being held at the historic Calabar, a place where Russell went to high school, theological college and a place where he was ordained and became chaplain. It was a place where he baptised boys, including Derrick Kellier, MP.

Horace Russell is a great Jamaican and deserves to be honoured as such.

Calabar High School 2010 Project

Kirk — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:16:17 +0000

Although examination results cannot by themselves be a total judge of performance, they do in fact give a general overview of performance. The continued decline in overall academic performance and discipline at Calabar High School is cause for much concern. A review of the 6th Form (grades 13) 2007 external exam results show the following

There has however been some academic achievements, with students winning a number of scholarships and teams such as the Schools Challenge Team performing exceptionally well over the past few years. Our achievements on the sports field have also improved recently. However not many of the team members have performed adequately enough in the classroom to qualify for many of the athletic scholarships which are currently available.

The schools infrastructure is in urgent need of a major overhaul. There is an urgent requirement of four (4) additional classrooms and the refurbishing of nearly all the existing classrooms. To add insult to injury, a number of classrooms were recently damaged during the passing of hurricane Dean and some have still not been repaired satisfactorily.

This ever increasing poor performance of Calabar students adds to the growing phenomenon of the marginalization of young men in the society as a substantial number of her graduates add to these statistics each year.

SUPPORT FROM OLD BOYS

Despite all of the above, Calabar Old Boys continue to support the school and in fact many of the existing non-classroom activities could not continue with the success that exists without support from Old Boys. This support however is as a result of each chapter of the association going back to its members every year (sometimes several times within a year) to solicit funding.

CALABAR 2010 PROJECT

Whilst funding by itself can not solve all the existing problems at Calabar, adequate funding will go a far way in providing the necessary resources to fix the problems. The problems at Calabar are many and vary from social to economic and infrastructure issues.

The 2010 PROJECT seeks to raise sufficient funds over a 3 year period (no funds will be disbursed the first 3 years of the project) to establish a self sustaining fund that can support the identified needs at the school. These needs include

Inability to purchase required text books
Students arriving at school hungry with no money to purchase lunch
Inability to pay external examination fees
Inability to purchase required equipment to participate in extra curricula sporting activities
Insufficient funding to support school clubs (science, photography, drama, foreign language, etc)

The Goal of the 2010 PROJECT is to reverse the decline in the overall performance of the students at Calabar High School thus reducing the propensity for these young men to become marginalized.

By providing financial, technical and social support, it is expected that Calabar will produce better rounded graduates, properly prepared to take on the world and take their rightful place in the society.

PROJECT METHOD

To meet annual non infrastructure and recurrent expenditure needs, and to ensure that a sustainable fund is established, funds collected will be placed on deposit over a three year period and the interest earned disbursed annually commencing the fourth year. The table below shows how the available funds will be allocated.

It is to be noted that 10% of the interest earned each year will added to the principal to be re-invested ensuring the sustainability of this fund. Disbursement will however commence earlier if our collection targets are exceeded.

NB. FUND WILL BE MAINTAINED IN US$

Disbursements will be based on specific requests and each funding request must be accompanied by the following

Statement of existing situation (e.g. lack of equipment, materials etc.)
How funds received will be utilised
What are the expected improvements anticipated as a result of funds received
How will the anticipated improvements be measured and over what time period
What is the ultimate performance “target” for this activity.

PROJECT EVALUATION

The results of implementing PROJECT 2010 will not be evident in the short term; however substantial improvements should be evident within five years of implementation. It is important to note that the full benefits can not be realized, unless the project is funded in its entirety.

The success of this project will be measured against the following “yardsticks”

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
EXTRA-CIRRICULA SPORTING ACTIVITIES
PERFORMANCE OF SCHOOL CLUBS
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
QUALITY OF ACADEMIC STAFF

PROJECT BUDGET

The budget for the annual recurrent expenditure is as follows;

PROJECT MANAGERS

The project will be managed by the following Old Boys

Desmon Brown
Lance Cowan
Lincoln Eatmon
Carlton Hibbert

We look forward to your support. Please complete the form below and send in your contribution.

Cheques to be made payable to the Calabar Old Boys Association

Cheques can be
+ posted to P.O. Box 8709, CSO, Kingston
+ delivered to Major Desmon Brown c/o National Stadium Kingston

—————————————————————————————————————————–

Attached please find my contribution of ___________________________________________________

_________________________for the CALABAR 2010 PROJECT

($ – ) _____________________

NAME

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Herb McKenley’s body at Calabar and Related News

Kirk — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:41:41 +0000

More Images

A statue is to be erected in honour of arguably Jamaica’s greatest athlete, Herbert Henry McKenley OM, who was laid to rest in front of a modest gathering of family, friends, officials and members of the track & field fraternity at twilight at National Heroes Park.
Read More – Jamaica Observer

Tributes were heaped on world renowned sports icon, Herbert Henry McKenley, at his official funeral service on (December 8), held at the National Arena in Kingston. Noting the challenge one would have to sum up the life of such a great legend, Former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson in giving the remembrance, spoke of Mr. McKenley’s first years in his birth town, Pleasant Valley in Clarendon, his achievements on the sporting arena, his involvement in youth development and his contribution to national development.
Read More – JIS

The sharp hoot of the whistle was missing. There was no clap of the starter’s gun and no roar from the stadium crowd, but Jamaican Olympian Herb McKenley’s final race across the sands of time yesterday was no less legendary than the first which brought him fame. Hundreds of Jamaicans, many of them men whom he had trained to run like the wind, yesterday paid their last respects to the track legend in a star-studded official funeral at the National Arena in Kingston.
Read More – Jamaica Observer

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A True Calabar Lion and Jamaican Hero

Kirk — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:35:56 +0000

Show your support for Herb McKenley and family by posting this image on your website or message boards.

Herb McKenly to be accorded a state funeral

Jamaican track great Herb McKenley, who died Monday, is to be accorded an official funeral. The announcement was made on Monday night by Minister of Sports, Olivia “Babsy” Grange. Miss Grange spoke with RJR News prior to meeting with Mr. McKenley’s widow. “Yes I spoke to the Prime Minister a few minutes ago and he told me that the country will afford him an official funeral so we will be making the arrangements,” said Ms. Grange. Mr. McKenley, who was 85, died at the University Hospital Monday evening. He is survived by widow Beverley, and four children.

Death of Herb McKenley Coverage in the Jamaican Media

Kirk — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:20:53 +0000

FAREWELL! …Great McKenley stands second to none

Jamaican track and field sprint legend Herb McKenley, who delivered medals at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics, passed away last evening at the University Hospital of the West Indies after ailing for some time. Among the great Jamaican athletes, the 85-year-old stands second to none. In the years between World War II and his retirement from competition in 1954, Herbert (Herb) McKenley, supreme quarter-miler and sprinter, did everything there was to do except win an individual Olympic gold medal.

At the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games in London and Helsinki, respectively, he won three individual silver medals – twice coming out at the wrong end of photo finishes.

The Great Jamaican Athlete Herb McKenley dies at 85

Kirk — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:32:21 +0000

Herb McKenley, a Jamaican track great who was one of the first two people from a Caribbean country to win an Olympic medal, has died. He was 85. McKenley died at the University Hospital of the West Indies, according to Howard Aris, president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, who was speaking for the family. The cause of death was not disclosed.

“It’s very sad but it was not a complete surprise,” Aris said. “I was in contact with him when he was re-admitted to the hospital and was aware he had major problems.” McKenley, considered a sports hero in Jamaica, was the first man to cover the 400 meters in under 46 seconds.

He won silver medals in the 400 meters at the 1948 games in London and in the 100 meters at the 1952 games in Helsinki, Finland.

In 1948, he and fellow Jamaican Arthur Wint — who took home the gold — won the first Olympic medals for the Caribbean. McKenley’s only gold came in Helsinki, Finland, where he was a member of the Jamaican team that won the 1600-meter relay.

He is survived by his wife, Beverley, and four children.

Source – International Herald Tribune

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Living with High Expectations – Maurice Smith

Kirk — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:05:33 +0000

Now, everybody wants a piece of him and it’s kind of totally overwhelming. But, it’s what comes with the territory, says decathlon silver medallist Maurice Smith, who we met during his recent whirlwind visit to Kingston with manager Juliet Campbell.

Smith surprised many to win silver at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, in October when, in the athletic contest comprising 10 different track-and-field events, the national record holder for Jamaica scored a record 8,644 points. He thereby beat his previous best of 8,349, to finish second behind Olympic and European champion and world record holder, Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic (8,676 points).

Maurice Smith in Osaka Japan

Now, Smith is highly optimistic about next summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Jamaicans are, too, and Smith does not mind his ’sudden’ change of fortune in fans. “It is what comes with doing so well at this level of the competition. It’s getting easier too,” he responds to Outlook’s observation, with a benign expression on his face.

After all, his life has been one challenge after another, to be met and defeated one at a time.

“Growing up, I was always involved in competition and sport with my brothers at the community level,” the champ states.

The former Calabar High School student, who has six siblings, celebrated his 27th birthday on September 28. He grew up in Almond Hill, St. Catherine, and started track and field at St. Mary’s All-Age School from first grade.

All his brothers did, too, but while they defected in their love to basketball, he remained enamoured of track and field.

Mom – Daphne Burke-Smith, teacher and vice-principal at St. Mary’s All-Age – also ran track in her time. Dad, Maurice Leon Smith, ran a grocery store.

At Calabar, Smith was also active in the high jump and shot put, and when senior hepathalete Ryan Chambers graduated and the school required a replacement, school coach Herb McKinley – who was to become a big mentor for Maurice – told him that he could do it.

McKinley, Maurice says, taught him pretty much everything he knows about track, an he had other coaches for the other events, the coach was the dominating influence. Other powerful influences in Smith’s life were his mom and big brother.

“Mom realised after a while that I had a passion for track and field. I got the go-ahead from her, Dad and the immediate family to pursue it as a career.”

Their son had chosen what is viewed as the most challenging track and field event. Decathletes are considered to be superior all-around athletes.

The 10 events included in the decathlon are a 328-foot (100 metre) sprint, a 1,312-foot (400 metre) sprint, a 4,921-foot (1,500 metre) run, a 361-foot (110 metre) set of hurdles, a discus throw, a javelin throw, a shot put, a pole vault, a high jump and a long jump.

Smith himself admits: “When I just started doing the decathlon I did not think I would be doing it beyond high school.”

But, in just two years, he developed enough passion and an enduring belief in himself to want to make a career of it.

Teaching and coaching

After Calabar, Smith left Jamaica for Central Arizona Junior College, breaking national junior college records in the two years spent there, before moving on to Auburn University, also in Alabama.

At Auburn, he pursued a bachelor’s in education. He chose education, he said, because he had his mind on teaching and coaching whenever he retires.

He was also influenced in making his choice by his mother and older brother Greg Smith, who is a teacher at Meadowbrook High School.

Already, Maurice notes, he connects well with younger athletes and is often called on by Auburn coach Jeremy Clayton to demonstrate for them.

But for now, he is focused on becoming an Olympian gold medallist.

“To reach this level,” he explains, “involves a lot of hard work and discipline. The older you get and the more experienced, the better you become.”

Smith, who grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, adds, “And I try not to leave God out of it, because he is the one who made it possible.”

Preparing for Beijing

Winning silver, he says, was an intensely happy moment, as “I was ranked number eight and the underdog. But I was very mentally prepared for the championship. I did the decathlon as many as a million times in my head. World-class level performance requires strong mental preparation.”

He will do the same for Beijing. The decathlon tests the endurance of the competing athlete, packing all 10 events into two days in the classic Olympic format. Training involves the physical challenges of throwing a heavy shot put, managing a javelin and hurdling over a series of jumps.

But, the athlete is growing in optimism every day. Smith broke the national and area (Central America and Caribbean) records no less than four times in the last two years. He has expressed his intention to do the work that needs to be done to secure the 2008 Olympic gold.

His elbow (he said he has been affected by a tear in his right elbow) is healing nicely.

He does not do as many competitive events each year as ordinary track athletes do, because his sport is very demanding. Back home in Auburn, Alabama, most of the year is spent training with his coach at Auburn University. He needs at least one month to recuperate after each competitive event.

“In order for me to cover all 10 events in one week, I do two events per day.” The athlete says that his regimen allows him to eat anything. He also loves to cook, including his favourite meal of cornmeal porridge and oxtail and rice and peas.

He saves his mental powers for imagining victory, he says, and spends very little time thinking about those in the sport who might be doping.

“Personally, I believe that it is unfair and a lot of people take it and nobody knows. I will not stoop to that. The only thing you will find in my blood is talent. I can be on top of the world in this event naturally, and that’s what I am training for.”

Smith wishes he could spend more time with his eight-year-old son, Roshene, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and is “very smart”.

But, where his relationships are concerned, he says he has chosen the decathlon as his job and all else is secondary. He loves to play soccer, shoot pool and also “a little basketball”.

There is a lot of socialising in the summer, when the track season is over, but otherwise it’s time to work.

Retirement, he says, will happen at no special age. “I want to settle down one day and have a family. When my body talks to me, I will listen.”

Source – Jamaica Gleaner

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