The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

NOT many people made an impact in any sporting league they participated in the way Eugene Olson ‘Gene or Geno’ Campbell Sr did.

Campbell, better known as ‘Geno,’ died on Friday at his home on Fire Trail East at the age of 61.

The proprietor of GM and Sons Wholesales was married to Monique and was the proud father of seven children - Dario, Eugene, Shaquille, Giovanni, Kyle, Jewel and Jasmine.

He is also survived by his father Olson Campbell, 81, siblings Mario, Dwayne, Bannerman, Natasha and Geann.

When the Baptist Sports Council opened its doors to allow non-Baptist churches to participate in its sporting programme, Campbell made an application for Temple Fellowship and was proudly accepted, a move that paid big dividends to both the league and his church.

As a “stickler” for rules and regulations, Campbell turned out to be a role model as a coach, making sure that every player on his team lived up to the expectations that should be exhibited in a league that was designed for making a spiritual impact on the lives of those who participated.

Campbell, who opted only to play if his team was short, guided Temple Fellowship to numerous men’s basketball titles and was named Coach of the Year a few times as he also coached a number of All- Star teams as well.

Not satisfied with his success in the league, after encountering some close battles with teams like First Baptist, Macedonia and Golden Gates, Campbell decided to take his talent to the Peace on the Streets Basketball Tournament organised by Apostle Carlos Reid and the Hope Center.

Like he did in the BSC, Campbell and Temple Fellowship made their presence felt, winning the Church Division of the prestigious tournament quite a few times as well.

“I believe that Geno is going to be missed. This is a man that really loved basketball,” Reid said.

“I believe his face will definitely be missed in the arena of basketball. I want to express my condolences to his family, his church, his friends.

“Geno was a spirited young man. He found a way to lighten up darkness when he entered the arena. He will be missed.”

Campbell also entered teams in softball where he was a permanent fixture on Temple Fellowship, but unfortunately, he didn’t achieve the same level of success as he did in basketball against the Baptist teams like Transfiguration, Golden Gates, Faith United Missionary, New Bethlehem, St Paul’s and Macedonia.

Natasha, whom her brother encouraged her to join him by playing on his softball team, said he wanted to continue coaching so bad, but he couldn’t.

“He spent most of his time in church these last few years of his life,” she said after he joined the fellowship at Believers Embassy International. “His sudden passing is what’s so hard.”

She noted that her brother was working on getting his American visa because another goal of his was to go to the Kentucky Derby to pursue his “love for horse racing.”

Geno Campbell may be gone.

But he won’t be forgotten for his unique coaching ability.