The actors of a film are the ones who are usually recognized and given credit for a movie whilst little or no notice is given to the directors, the producers, the production crew and all who envisioned the film and conducted all the ground work to make the dream a reality. Coaches, like directors, are not the first to be awarded for a stellar production but are often cast into the shadow of their athletes, although some intentionally shun the lime light. Fitz Coleman who goes by the moniker “coach”, however, is a man that is no stranger to the spot light nor is he hesitant to take center stage. The popular adage ‘experience teaches wisdom’ speaks volumes to his expertise in Track and Field. Coleman is as wise as they get in this area as he began building his repertoire from as far back as 1975 giving him 37 years of solid experience! He defines himself as a proud father, husband and likens his job to a teacher in the classroom who takes pride in the work he does. I sat down with Mr. Coleman a few days before his departure to the 2012 London Olympics to find out more about this stalwart in the track and field arena. 

Fitz Coleman received part of his technical training from the University of Johannes Gutenberg, Germany, Church Teacher's College, Jamaica and is IAAF Level lV certified, Puerto Rico, as a Senior Coach which is the second highest level of Coaches Education and Certification System in track and field; it therefore qualifies him to work not just locally but internationally. He has operated in the capacity of Technical Director and Head Coach of the High Performance Training Center in Kingston,Jamaica, a International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) recognized body with responsibility for training the countr y's athletes. He has attended numerous workshops and seminars in the capacity of adviser/speaker in the Caribbean and Europe. He has compiled an online manuscript on ‘Jamaica athletics’- A perspective on Jamaica’s Olympic Achievements from 1948-2008 http://www.iaaf-rdc.ru/eng/news/081215/fitz_coleman.pdf  To say that the man is well travelled is an understatement, from as far back as 1972, Fitz has been to every Olympic and since 1991 has only missed one World Athletics Championship. He has been travelling with the Jamaica Senior Track and Field team as Head Coach and Technical Director and needless to say the 2012 Olympic is no different as he departed the island for London  along with two other members of the UWI family- Hansle Parchment and Kerry-Lee Ricketts.

For his work in track and field, Fitz has been the recipient of several awards and accolade and has received awards from the Jamaica Sports Foundation, Jamaica Gleaner Person of the Year award in 2006 for recognition of outstanding contribution to sports in Jamaica, Inter- Secondary School Sports Associatio (ISAA) award for his contribution to the Boys and Girls Athetics Championships in 2009 among others he could not recall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 Like any epic movie the success of the film is determined by the work that is put into it and the personality of the director does influence the way he instructs the cast to carry out the plot. Coach Coleman describes his coaching style as original; he does not try to copy or imitate others. "I try to be as watchful and as detailed as possible. I display by nature a calm persona, I am stern most times, and I do not have to shout or scream to get the job done."  It is without question that his coaching style and his general behavior commands respect and admiration from his athletes and fellow coaches. Fitz has worked with athletes such as Nikole Mitchel- 1992 World Junior 100 meters Champion, Richard Bucknor- 1992 Olympic Games 110 meters Hurdles, Anthony Knight- 1992 Olympic Games 110 meters hurdles, Suzette Lee- 1992 World Junior Triple Jump, 1995- Gregory Haughton- 1995 World Championship finalist & 1996 Olympic Games, Neil Gardner- 1996 Olympic Games 400 meters semi-finalist, Richard Phillips- 2002 World Junior 100 meters hurdles finalist, 2004 Olympic Games 110 meters hurdles, Usain Bolt- 2004 World Junior 200m champion, Jermaine Gonzales- 2006 Commonwealth Games 400m Bronze, Maurice Wignall- 2004 & 2008 Olympic Games/2005- 2007 & 2009 World Championship 100m hurdles finalist, Hansle Parchment- 2012 CA Championships, & Commonwealth Games 100 meters finalist, 2011 Wold University Games 100 meters  Champion & 2012 Olympic Games 110 meters Bronze medallist.  He recalls the 2006 Olympics as his most memorable moment in the field to date. It was during the hurdles finals that Maurice Wignall was placed fourth. "Memorable because it hurts," he recalled. "He just missed the Olympic medal podium. It is like studying for your CXC; the World Championship and the Olympics is the final exam and to see them perform well is like a job well done."  

Indeed he has been getting the job done, as he has been with the UWI Programme for three years and we have seen where there has been a rise in the standards of the quality athletes we have here at Mona. "It (UWI program) is close to what I would like, there are a few spokes that need to get in place, but it is an environment that I don't mind being involved in, it has it challenges though." It is this challenge that inspires me, the inner drive to make a contribution and to impact the lives of others. "I'm far from finished. I see it as teaching. When I see the number of youngsters I train and those who I manage to influence in terms of their mannerism, disposition and goals; someone who came in uncouth and coarse and leaves a refined gentleman and a lady." Coach Coleman says track and field for him is a release valve, an expression, to exhale and do something that he loves. "Success" he explains "does not have to be about winning, seeing someone turn around and make something of his life is what matters." When asked if he has a preference in terms of what gender he coaches, Mr. Coleman hastened to note that he does not prefer one gender as oppose to the other. "I have worked with both genders; in fact my first real success was with a female in 1992 who won the World Junior over 100 meters.”

To the average by-stander, it seems as though being a coach is a full-time job at least for those who want to succeed. Coach Coleman however is not married to track and field; he manages to separate his work life from his family life. When asked how he does that Coach Coleman responded with much laughter "it's easy" he says, "my wife and daughter both live overseas. I do visit them as often as I can." He was quick to add. Like a good director, Coach Coleman has a few words of advice for youngsters who are interested in and/or pursuing an academic and athletic career simultaneously. "That lesson, a balancing act of life- studying and athletics, that casual lesson where you have to do both and survive. Sports has many values to it,” he postulated, "it teaches you how to socialize, it is one massive network, it defines you; athletics and academics go together, teaches you disciplines, you know that you have something to do and you have to do it. The skills gained through training spills over into social and professional life as these skills are needed. It is still an education system." He also encourages athletes to come with an open mind that when you leave you would have benefitted and for them to leave unchanged would have been a disaster. And for those not so athletic minds, Coach Coleman encourages everyone to get involved. "Sports is a form of therapy, a release valve. I would encourage everyone to be involved because it is deep and profound. It adds tremendous value; it relaxes you and helps you to study. It brings structure and organization. They work hand in hand like a marriage." 

 The name Fitz Coleman is a household name in the island. His contribution to the sport of track and field is tremendous and the positive influence that he has left on the lives of the athletes he has coached is an endearing one. At the end of the day Coleman can look back at his life’s work and accomplishments and revel in the sense of pride knowing that he has given back to his country through the development of youths through sports. How about that for take one?

UWI MONA SPORTS- CREATING CHAMPIONS; BUILDING LEADER