‘Poppy’ to be honoured by Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

After guiding Lincoln University to 14 NCAA Division II women's titles, coaching Lerone Clarke to the men's 100m crown at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and preparing numerous student athletes from the Caribbean to win medals for their countries on the world stage, Victor 'Poppy' Thomas is being honoured by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Thomas, a native of Kingston who coached at Holy Trinity High School, Camperdown and St Andrew Technical before moving to the United States, is among seven persons who will be awarded on February 25 at a luncheon in the Midwest state.

The recognition has put the no-nonsense coach, who rarely smiles, in a joyous mood.

"It feels good to know that the state of Missouri recognises someone doing well, because track and field has been the torchbearer for all sports in Missouri over the last 18 years. Historically, it is the last state to really abolish slavery, so to be a black man from Jamaica to be receiving this honour, it is a great feeling," Thomas told STAR Sports.

But the accolade has not wavered his pursuit to give underprivileged youth from the Caribbean a chance to earn tertiary-level education, which, according to him, is his greatest motivation.

Thomas said that no award or recognition have been more satisfying than seeing his student athletes receive their degree certificates after completing their studies.

"I remember I had this athlete who, when he came, he was struggling to meet the required grade (2.0 grade point average) and we encouraged him and the day of his graduation, tears came to my eyes," Thomas recalled. "I don't really cry when we win championships, but to see the youths get their degrees and establish themselves in society there is no feeling like it."

Though the coronavirus pandemic has displaced some of his athletes when the season came to an abrupt end last year, Thomas has continued the trend of building his teams around athletes from the Caribbean.

Former Kingston College 400m hurdler Shantamoi Brown, Rashane Bartlett from St Elizabeth Technical, and Donna-Ray Lee from Hydel are among the Thomas' freshman class this year.

"It feels good to be in this position to give athletes this opportunity, but I am not in it for them to recognise what I am doing for them. What motivates me is to ensure that I help people, because I got help along the way," Thomas said.