Acting Principal Jennifer Gordon Dies Deaths inspire us to do better - Calabar track team
The death of three prominent members of the school community in a little over four months has hit them hard, but members of Calabar High School’s track team say the losses have motivated them to do even better and win the 2008 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ & Girls’ Athletic Championships, which begin today at the National Stadium.
The Calabar school fraternity woke up to the news last Saturday morning that Acting Principal Jennifer Gordon had collapsed and died at home the night before.
Gordon had been acting in place of principal Lincoln Thaxter since last September, but had been a teacher at the school for nearly 30 years.
The news of Gordon’s death came within months of the death of football team coach David Hunt, who collapsed and died in his bathroom on Friday, October 26, and that exactly one month later of former school track team coach, Jamaican Olympic legend Herb McKenley on November 26.
Taking the violence out of Boys and Girls Champs
The experts agree that the near 100-year-old high schools athletics championship, now known as the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ & Girls’ Champs, probably is the single most important reason for the great strength of Jamaica’s track and field. Jamaica’s athletic giants, dating back to arguably the most complete of them all, National Hero Norman Washington Manley who dominated ‘Champs’ in 1911, have honed their skills at the annual track and field festival.
Name them, they have all been there. From the legendary Olympians Herb McKenley and Arthur Wint to the likes of Donald Quarrie, Lennox Miller, Merlene Ottey, Juliet Cuthbert, Deon Hemmings and to our current crop that includes Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson and Usain Bolt, every generation of Jamaican athletes has been indebted to the ISSA-run boys’ and girls’ championships.
So great has been the impact of ‘Champs’ that several countries across the Caribbean region and elsewhere now seek to replicate it. But such is the nature of culture, tradition and history that the very special atmosphere that goes with Champs will remain unique to the Jamaican version. The excitement generated by the decades-old competition involving schools such as Jamaica College, Wolmer’s, Calabar and Kingston College has to be felt to be properly appreciated.
Unfortunately, that very excitement and intense competition have also seeded a negative aspect: sporadic violence down the years between supporters of the various schools.
Hence the decision - announced over recent days - by three of our leading boys’ schools - Jamaica College, Calabar and Kingston College - to jointly take initiatives to combat those who would disrupt the peace at Champs.
C&W Jamaica brings Asafa Powell to Boys and Girls Champs 2008
The world’s fastest man, Asafa Powell, will be on hand to present prizes to the top male and female athletes at this year’s Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA) Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships, courtesy of Cable & Wireless Jamaica (C&WJ), an associate sponsor of the meet.
C&WJ has contributed approximately $3.8 million to the staging of the 2008 championships, which is the second allocation under a three-year agreement with ISSA. The amount represents a 15 per cent increase over C&WJ’s contribution last year.
Vice-president corporate communications Errol Miller said C&WJ’s continued sponsorship of the High School Championships demonstrates his company’s commitment to youth and sports development in Jamaica.
“We are gratified to have the opportunity to make a major contribution to a sport that has done so much to put our country on the map,” he said. “And we are proud to be involved in unearthing and showcasing the talents of the next generation of athletes that will continue our proud tradition in track and field.”
Gibson Relays 2008 Results and Highlights
Defending Inter-Secondary boys champions Calabar High gave St Jago High’s crack sprint quartet a huge scare before losing in the final strides in an exciting end to the Gibson Relays Class One 4×100 metres relay at the National Stadium yesterday.
Led by the outstanding World Youth Championships 200 metres gold medallist Ramone McKenzie on the second leg, Calabar dominated for the first 300m and it took a devastating run from national junior 100m record holder Yohan Blake on the final leg to earn victory for St Jago ahead of Calabar’s anchorman Oshane Bailey. St Jago crossed the line in 40.29 with Calabar second in 40.81 and Jamaica College third in 40.81.
ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ & Girls’ Athletic Championships 2008 Launched
The perennial matter of security will be high on the agenda for the annual ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ & Girls’ Athletic Championships, with 20 per cent of the J$8.3-million budget for the 2008 event, which will take place from March 12-15 at the National Stadium, geared towards security.
Champs Chairman, Clement Radcliffe, speaking at yesterday’s launch of the island’s biggest track & field meeting at the Knutsford Court Hotel, said no more than 24,000 tickets will be sold for the bleachers section of the National Stadium.
Independence Park Limited general manager, Major Desmond Brown, told the Observer the National Stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000, with 5,404 of those seats in the Grandstand. Read more
Foreigners invade 32nd Gibson Relays - Calabar Set to Shine
Teams from the Netherlands Antilles, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas have indicated their intent to compete in today’s 32nd staging of the Gibson Relays at the National Stadium, in hopes of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The teams will compete in the 4×100m event at the relay carnival which is being used for the first time this year as an Olympic Games qualifying meet, after it was approved as such last year by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
IAAF rules state that for relays, only the best 16 national teams which meet the qualifying standard between January 1, 2007 and July 16, 2008, will be eligible to compete at the Olympics which will be held in China from August 8-24.
Meanwhile, close to 3,000 athletes have been confirmed to participate in the relays, which are expected to boast teams from St Jago, Holmwood, Wolmer’s, Calabar, Kingston College, and Jamaica College participating in 37 events, including eight Championship races. Read more
Calabar High team set to Dominate Howard Jackson Relays
World Youth 200m champion, Romaine McKenzie and his Calabar High team, could have things their own way at the 23rd staging of the Serge Island-sponsored Howard Jackson Relays at Paul Bogle Junior High School in Morant Bay, today, starting at 9:00 a.m.
McKenzie, along with Jermaine Brown and Oshaine Bailey, should lead their team in the Class One 4×150 and 4×300m events against Camperdown, Holmwood, Morant Bay and St. George’s. Calabar should also fancy their chances in Class Two with Earl Lee and Robert Palmer, who finished one-two at last week’s Douglas Forrest Invitational. Read more
A True Calabar Lion and Jamaican Hero
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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.
Official funeral for Herb McKenley
Herb McKenley, the late Jamaican sporting icon who died on Monday afternoon after a long illness, will be accorded an official funeral, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced. However, no date has yet been set for the funeral. “Herb McKenley was the trailblazer that set the standard and established Jamaica’s rich tradition as Olympic track stars, that has continued with our current crop of world beaters.
“On behalf of the nation, I send condolences to his wife of over 40 years Beverly and family as we treasure the athletic legacy he has left behind for his beloved country. The final tribute that we as a nation can pay to this outstanding Jamaican is to accord him an official funeral, the details of which will be announced,” said Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Read More - Jamaica Observer News
Herb McKenley, national hero
It is appointed unto man once to die, and so, difficult as it is, we accept the passing Monday of one of the greatest Jamaicans to have walked the soil in this blessed land. If a hero is one whose life has somehow touched the lives of nearly all his compatriots, and even beyond, then Herbert Henry McKenley is well past national hero status, warts and all.
In no small measure, he is responsible for the awe and respect in which Jamaicans are held whenever our athletes don the national colours and step onto any track anywhere in the world.
Read More - Jamaica Observer Editorial
Parliament pays tribute to Herb McKenley
Parliamentarians yesterday paid homage to Herb McKenley, the great Jamaican sportsman and administrator who died on Monday. Seven parliamentarians - three from the People’s National Party (PNP) and four from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) - spoke glowingly of a man who once aspired for political office. Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that McKenley would be accorded an official funeral and that arrangements were being made with McKenley’s family for the final send off.
“I am sure that Jamaicans from all walks of life, from all over Jamaica, are going to want to be a part of this final farewell to a great hero,” Mr. Golding said.
Statement from Honourable Prime Minister on the Passing of the Hon Herb Mckenley, O.M
The nation will be as saddened as I am to learn of the passing of the Honourable Herb McKenley, OM, one of Jamaica’s greatest sportsmen and role models. He will be best remembered for his role in winning Gold and silver medals in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games in the 100 and 400 metres events that for the first time highlighted Jamaica as a nation of top class athletes.
From winning 220 yd. and 440 yd. championships in the USA in 1946 and 1947, McKenley showed a glimpse of his future greatness at the 1948 London Olympics, where he ran a new world record of 46.0 seconds in the 400 metres. One month later he clocked 45.9 and at the Olympics itself finished only second in the 400 metres behind team mate Arthur Wint.
Read More - Jamaica Information Service
Death of Herb McKenley Coverage in the Jamaican Media
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.
Read More - Jamaica Observer Sports
Well run, Herb! Jamaica mourns great athlete McKenley
Herbert Henry McKenley, O.M. rated as one of, if not Jamaica’s greatest ever athlete is dead. The man hailed by many as one of the most outstanding 400 metres runners ever died shortly before 6:00 p.m. yesterday at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies, where he had been admitted just over two weeks ago. McKenley was 85.
McKenley’s career was studded with outstanding achievements. His greatest came in 1952 at the Helsinki Olympics when he inspired a Jamaican quartet to a gold medal in the 4×400 metres in an amazing world record three minutes 3.9 seconds.
Read More - Jamaica Gleaner News
Tributes pour in for Herb McKenley
Jamaica and the rest of the world continue to remember one of the most outstanding sports personalities, the Honourable Herbert “Herb” McKenley, who died at the University Hospital of the West Indies on Monday. McKenley, who won one gold and three silver medals in the Olympic Games in London and Helsinki in 1948 and 1952, was conferred with Jamaica’s third highest honour, the Honour of Merit back in 2004.
After retiring from sports, the great Herb coached of several national teams and was president of Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA). Prime Minister Bruce Golding said Jamaica has lost one of our greatest achievers.
McKenley’s final race
Herb McKenley yesterday breathed his last breath in the race of life from the large majestic lungs that brought him personal glory and set a nation on track for athletic stardom. Two strokes and a heart attack which reduced him to a shadow of his former self in recent years, proved too much for the man who molded Jamaica’s track and field in the image of himself.
Information reaching the Observer said McKenley had been experiencing problems with his kidneys. In the Tony Thwaites wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, the 85-year-old Olympian, in death, symbolically passed the baton to a generation of track speedsters, who carry on the tradition he blazed in 1944 - Jamaica then a British colonial outpost in the empire on which the sun would never set.
Read More - Jamaica Observer News
Golden destiny - Herbert Henry McKenley, O.D., C.D.
One thing I would love to put across at the time of his death is that the wonderful achievements that we are getting today are a part of the legacy and the foundation that he has established through his own exploits on the track. Tremendous athlete, tremendous person.- Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association.
Herbert Henry McKenley, O.D., C.D., was born July 10, 1922, in Clarendon where he grew up in Pleasant Valley before becoming one of Jamaica’s most decorated and beloved sons being a pioneer in athletics and athletics administration. He attended Pleasant Valley Elementary School before enrolling at Mico Practising and later Calabar High School in St. Andrew.
Read More - Jamaica Gleaner Sports
The Great Jamaican Athlete Herb McKenley dies at 85
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. Read more
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General community site and blog for one of Jamaica's finest educational Institutions, Calabar High School.
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