The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the 13th year, the family of St Augustine’s College will “paint the streets red” as they keep the memory alive of the late sporting icon/principal and coach Leviticus “Unca Lou” Adderley.

Ashaka Culmer, the public relations officer for St Augustine’s College, said in conjunction with the SAC Alumni Association, they’re calling on all persons who would have any affiliation with Adderley to come out and participate in the fun run/walk, scheduled for Saturday, November 9.

The event is slated to begin at SAC’s campus off Bernard Road and Prince Charles Drive and the organisers hope to “paint the streets red” over the four-mile course.

Competitors in the boys and girls age groups will leave SAC’s campus and head onto Bernard Road, onto Soldier Road, onto Prince Charles Drive and onto SAC’s track and back to the starting point.

The walkers will compete in the under-30, under-40, under-50, under-60 and over-60, while the runners will compete in the under-9, under-13, under-25, under-17, under-20, under-30, unser-40, under-50 and over-50.

“There’s a division for everyone. We would like for everyone to come out and paint the streets red,” Culmer stated. 

“Mr Adderley is a legend in sports. He’s touched many lives and it’s only fitting for us to continue to honour him in this way.”

Trophies will be presented to the first three finishers in all divisions, but all competitors who complete the course will go home with some commemorative award.

His daughter Daria Adderley, a physical education teacher at SAC, said she’s thrilled that SAC and its Alumni Association continues to remember her father. 

“Every year it’s a nostalgic one for me,” she pointed out. “I think that his presence is always here. Having it here on campus once again brings back so many memories.

“My father was probably born here at St Augustine’s College. He has made outstanding contributions to the country as an educator and as a sports advocate, coach, mentor and that alone speaks volumes.”

She noted that she’s extremely proud to be his daughter and to work with the SAC family to have the continuation of the fun run/walk. She encouraged all who were associated with her father to come out and continue the legacy.

As one of the new vice presidents at SAC, Dawn Johnson, a protégé of Adderley, said when she attended SAC he was not  just the principal, but he was the coach.

“He taught me everything I know in regards to softball, hockey, volleyball, basketball, track and field, all of the throwing events,” said the former multiple star athlete now coaching.

“This is where it all started. So the legacy of Unca Lou has lived on for many decades. He has taught many renowned persons in The Bahamas and I’m applying to them to come out and to reflect on what Unca Lou has been to them. Come back to SAC.”

Although he attended SC McPherson and AF Adderley Junior and Senior High Schools, William ‘Knucklehead’ Johnson said there was hardly a conversation pertaining to track and field and you didn’t hear the name Lou Adderley. “As a principal, as a disciplinary, as a coach, as an official, he’s done it all and I’m just really proud that he was a part of this organisation,” Johnson said. 

“He’s touched so many lives in this country. We are really happy and grateful to do this again.”

With SAC turning 80 years as an institution next year, Johnson said they want to make it a massive effort for all those persons who were impacted by his life.

“I was here when he was at SAC, not as a principal, but as the president of our development institution,” said Johnson, the facilities manager for the past 30 years. 

“So I’m really proud of that and we will ensure that this goes off well. 

“Those of you out there who call yourselves SACers and not even SACers, but those who knew him, let’s come out and have a good time.”

The registration fee for all adults is $20 and for under-20 is $15. All registration forms can be picked up at SAC or go online on the school’s website.