A tribute to Herb

In the midst of the inevitability of death, I am still saddened to hear of the death of Herb McKenley, O.M.

Because of the much-heralded and quite justifiable euphoria over his consuming dedication to and success with his alma mater - Calabar High School - as the coach of their track and field teams, many may not recall or know that Mr. McKenley was the coach at St. George's College in the early part of the 1960s.

Although it was never expressly stated, there was a strong suspicion that because the Jesuits were instrumental in acquiring a scholarship for him to attend Boston College, a Jesuit-run university, after his high school days, Herb felt a certain obligation to give back something, by coaching the Jesuit-run St. George's College upon his return to Jamaica.

Interestingly, in 1962, probably buoyed by the presence of the legendary figure, and guided by his expertise, the St. George's College team of which I was a part, came third at Championships - which remains the best showing by this non-traditional track and field institution for in excess of 50 years.

It was in that year that the school's top Class 2 athlete - Errol Huie - was primed by Herb and defeated both Lennox Miller (220 yards), and Rupert Hoilette (440 yards), the favoured KC stars.

I don't think there was anyone who loved athletics with a greater concentration of single-mindedness than Mr McKenley. His love of the sport was immense, his dedication to the well- being of his athletes selfless, and his patriotism unbridled, though it never degenerated into xenophobia.

May all who passed through his hand continue to uphold Herb's undying love for the cause of the upliftment of Jamaicans, and reflect those qualities by their actions o others.

May he find peace with his Maker.

- OSWALD TIE, J.P.

38 South Monterey Drive

Kingston 6