‘Poppy’ Thomas inducted into coaches’ Hall of Fame

At the very same event where triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert last week lifted the most important US college track and field award for student-athletes, another Jamaican was in the spotlight. The star this time was former St Andrew Technical head coach Victor ‘Poppy’ Thomas. Now in his 22nd season as head coach at the University of Lincoln (Missouri). Thomas was inducted into the USA Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Since his days as a standout hurdles coach at Camperdown High and STATHS, Thomas has distinguished himself in the US, gathering 14 NCAA Division Two team titles.

Speaking at the induction in Colorado, he expressed his delight at the award.

“I was, like, wow! It’s about time. Straight. It felt good knowing that the hard work has paid off,” he said.

The man known as ‘Poppy’ is flattered that he inspires young coaches. “Even today, one of them said to me, ‘Poppy. I want to be like you when I grow up’, and that means a lot to me, knowing that I have inspired these coaches to want to be like me. It’s unheard of for people to want to be like me.”

In a reference to his long career as a coach, he added. “Hey, I’m from Kingston, Jamaica, man. I’d just like to say to them, started from the bottom. Now we’re here.”

The Lincoln programme has its fair share of notable graduates. In 2010 and 2011, Lerone Clarke won the 100 metres for Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games and the Pan American Games.

However, the Mico and GC Foster College graduate is perhaps even prouder when he sees his student-athletes receive their degrees. He reported that 97 per cent of those who go to Lincoln succeed in their studies. The veteran coach says he stresses academics to all those who come through his programme.

“What I try to instil in these kids is get the degree, use the system. The system use you to run. You use that same system to get that degree so 10, 15 years from now, you’ll be okay, and I’m proud to say that most of those student-athletes who came to Lincoln, they live in the Jefferson City area and they’re all right. They have families, they have kids,” he said with the satisfied tone of a grandfather.

He thinks athletics and academics go well together.

“If you’re a winner on the track, you’re going to be a winner in the classroom. and flip it, if you’re going to be a winner in the classroom, you’re going to be a winner on the track,” Thomas underscored.

Asked to provide counsel for young coaches, Thomas directed them to the veterans in the profession, suggesting, “find them. Seek them out. Pick their brains. Ask them questions. Learn from them”.

He is grateful to his long-serving assistant coach, Ealane Smith, the former Manchester High School middle-distance ace, and to his volunteer assistant coaches, some of whom are Lincoln graduates. “They give 100 per cent,” he noted, “and we could not have done this over the years and be so consistent.”