University’s hall of fame nod for Irons

Western Bureau:

ODEAN ‘BOBO’ Irons, whose sojourn through daCosta Cup football took him on stints with former champions Rusea’s High School and then Cornwall College before he earned a scholarship to the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) in the United States, is now on cloud nine.

Irons, who was extremely popular at the schoolboy football level as one of the few to wear dreadlocks, is to be inducted into the institution’s Hall of Fame for the phenomenal impact he had representing the institution.

At the ceremony, which will take the form of a dinner and award event on September 23 at the university’s sports centre, Irons and two female athletes will be inducted in what will be the institution’s 14th staging.

“Getting the chance to get an education and to continue my love affair with football at UMFK Bengals was something special for me,” said Irons, a proud product of the North Gully community in Montego Bay, which gave birth to Seba United FC (now Montego Bay United FC.)

“Being inducted in the Hall of Fame is a massive achievement that I will cherish forever,” said Irons, who seemed to have transferred both his excellent football skills and his popularity to the collegiate circuit after upper-sixth form at Cornwall College in 2011.

Irons, in reflecting on his youthful days in Montego Bay, where he grew up watching his father parading his skills for Seba United, said his dream was always to walk in his father’s footsteps as an accomplished player.

The numerous awards he has won as a UMFK Bengals player suggests that he has achieved those dreams.

“This is a proud moment for me and my family,” said Irons.

“To have played in such a prestigious academic and soccer programme alone was special.”

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

Irons, who was renowned as a schoolboy footballer for his speed and his ability to make sound decisions in full flight, said he wants to express gratitude to his teachers at Rusea’s and Cornwall College, his coaches, the many persons who served as mentors, and his family, especially his father, who sacrificed much to get him to where he is today.

During his time at UMFK, Irons, who was part of the graduating class of 2018, won numerous accolades, including United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-America in 2016, first-team All-National Collegiate Sports Association (NAIC) 2017, first-team All-NAIC 2017, NAIC Conference Tournament MVP, and twice, the USCAA Men Soccer National Champion (2015 and 2016).

With his collegiate career now behind him, Irons has been campaigning in the US’ National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), representing Valeo FC, which has a developmental academy in the United States and has ties to Jamaica.

“Last season I played in the NPSL, but this season, I am out nursing an injury,” said Irons, who will turn 30 years old next Saturday.

“I expect to be fully recovered for next season as I still have a lot of good football left in me.”