Jamaican athlete Leford Green will be inducted into the Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) Athletics Hall of Fame this September, celebrating a remarkable collegiate career and outstanding contributions to the university's track and field program. Green, a former student-athlete who excelled both on the track and in the classroom, expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the honor.
"I am overwhelmed. We have been working hard over the years. We have done a lot with regards to Johnson C. Smith and the track and field programme. As a matter of fact, I was Coach (Lennox) Graham's first recruit, so it is just overwhelming that I am being acknowledged for all the efforts and the achievements," Green shared.
These days a Unit Manager at Piedmont Airlines, Green's journey at JCSU began in 2008, where he quickly made a name for himself. In his sophomore year, he was named the 2008-09 CIAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, setting the stage for an illustrious collegiate career. He became the NCAA defending indoor 400m national champion in 2008 and led the JCSU men's track team with standout performances across multiple events. Notably, he set a new Clemson University facility record of 1:03.52 in the 500m during the 2009 indoor season.
Born in the parish of St Mary but raised in St. Catherine, Jamaica, Green earned his second All-American honours for his indoor performance and set a personal best in the 200m with a time of 20.41 seconds, the fastest collegiate time in the nation that year. His prowess extended to the outdoor track as well, where he secured automatic qualifying times for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships in both the 200m and 400m.
Green's dominance continued at the CIAA Outdoor Championships, where he was named MVP after winning the 200m, 400m hurdles, and placing second in the 400m. His remarkable athletic achievements were matched by his academic excellence, as he maintained a 4.0 GPA in information systems engineering. Green also received the Pettis Norman Award at the JCSU Annual Athletic Banquet, recognizing him as Student-Athlete of the Year.
The pinnacle of Green's collegiate career came in 2011 when he was named NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. That year, he finished the season undefeated and won the NCAA title in the 400m with a time of 45.74 seconds, outpacing the nearest competitor by a full second. He also won the 400m hurdles at the NCAA meet in 2010 and contributed to JCSU's winning 4x400m relay team and fifth-place 4x100m squad.
Green's impact extended beyond his individual accolades. At his conference meet, he earned 2011 CIAA Male Athlete of the Meet honors after winning the 400m and 400m hurdles, finishing second in the 200m, and running a leg on the Golden Bulls' second-place 4x400m relay team. His efforts earned him the title of Division II Male Track Athlete of the Year in 2010.
Reflecting on his time at JCSU, Green highlighted his freshman year as especially memorable. "My freshman year. It was a transitional period for me and Coach Graham. Freshman year, pretty much won indoors, new to all that stuff and came out national champion in the 400m was exceptional for me so it just showed I could overcome and keep on going further and further."
Green's achievements extended to the international stage, where he represented Jamaica at the 2012 London Olympics, finishing seventh in the 400m hurdles final. He also competed at the World Athletics Championships in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Additionally, Green won gold in the 400m hurdles for Jamaica at the 2010 and 2011 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico. After graduating, Green continued to contribute to JCSU as an assistant coach, mentoring the next generation of athletes.
Leford Green's induction into the Johnson C. Smith University Athletics Hall of Fame is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and excellence both on and off the track. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of student-athletes to strive for greatness.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Olympics here we come: Red Stripe taking ten winners of “Guh fi Gold & Glory” promotion to Paris
The 2024 Olympics will be an unforgettable experience for the ten winners of the Red Stripe “Guh fi Gold & Glory” promotion.
From May 1 to June 28, Red Stripe rolled out a series of promotional events in support of the upcoming Olympic Games, from which 10 consumers have secured a unique opportunity to enjoy the Games live from the Stade de France in Paris.
To enter the promotion, consumers had to purchase six Red Stripes and send in their receipt via WhatsApp.
Out of the scores of people that entered, Samanthia Gordon, Solomon Hutchinson, Andre Davis, Nicola Bryce, Deborah Cole, Delroy Lee Rose, Princess Hibbert, Osbert Bailey, Johnell Benson and Danielle McKenzie were the lucky ten competition winners.
An additional 11 people from Red Stripe as well as various sister companies as well as customers will also be making the trip.
On Saturday, July 13, the winners, as well as others who will make the trip as part of Red Stripe’s contingent, were on hand at the company for a special handover event and celebration.
Two of the promotion winners, McKenzie and Rose, expressed excitement at the prospect of going to the Olympics.
“I’m very excited. I can’t wait to see the country and the attractions and, obviously, to cheer on team Jamaica,” McKenzie told Sportsmax.tv.
“Ecstatic,” was Rose’s response, noting that this will be his very first time travelling out the country.
“I will fully enjoy it. I thank Red Stripe because, out of all the people to enter, to be selected must be a divine intervention. I’ll be a proud representative of Jamaica,” he added.
The winners were also gifted with travel kits including items like branded shirts, jackets and cups as well as pot covers and vuvuzelas that will surely be used to cheer on the team in Paris.
Brand Manager for Red Stripe, Nathan Nelms, gave Sportsmax.tv insight into the motivation behind this initiative for the company.
“We really wanted to give our consumers a taste of the celebrations that will be happening in Paris. We are sure everybody locally will be watching on TV to cheer on team Jamaica, however, we wanted to give a very small group the opportunity to see the team live in Paris and give them an experience of a lifetime,” he said.
“We’ve come a long way since our signing of a big partnership with the Jamaica Olympic Association back in 2023. We’ve done so much to make sure that there is this rally cry that is built for the Jamaica Olympic Team,” he added.
In addition to getting to view the Olympics live, the winners will be given tours of various attractions in the French capital including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Athletics at the Olympic Games will take place from August 1-11.
Usain Bolt’s ‘Jamaica All The Way’ set to cheer on Team Jamaica at Paris Olympics
Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, legendary Olympian and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has produced an anthem for Team Jamaica, titled “Jamaica All The Way." The timely track aims to rally the nation, capturing the indomitable spirit of Jamaicans as its athletes prepare to compete on the world stage in Paris.
As the newly announced Red Stripe Ambassador, Bolt is at the forefront of the celebrations for the beer giant's Olympic campaign, ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory.’ The campaign seeks to unite Jamaicans in support of their athletes, reminding them that the ‘likkle but tallawah’ island is cheering them on.
“Jamaica All The Way” features collaborations with musical sensations Busy Signal, who headlined the 2022 Red Stripe independence song “Big Up Jamaica,” and Shaneil Muir. Their combined talents are set to amplify the cheers of Jamaicans everywhere.
“The Olympics represent a moment of pure joy, and I want our athletes to feel the support of all Jamaicans. This song celebrates their dedication and hard work. I produced it to encourage them to believe in themselves and dream big when they ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory,’ knowing they have infinite support,” said the Fastest Man Alive, Usain Bolt.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics approaching quickly, from July 26 to August 11, the song has already been released on all streaming platforms, ensuring that Jamaican athletes can feel support at home and from the diaspora.
President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Christopher Samuda highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “There is no better way to celebrate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games than with Usain capturing the infectious beat of dancehall, the inspired spirit of our people, and our aspiration to be the greatest versions of humanity. When the JOA and Red Stripe team up with lightning Bolt, it can only be electrifying and volcanic! Paris, stay tuned!”
As the nation gets ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the partnership between the Jamaica Olympic Association and Red Stripe shows how culture can bring people together and boost the spirits of our athletes.
“Although we can't invite every Jamaican to travel to Paris and cheer for our athletes in person, our ‘Guh fi Gold and Glory’ campaign allows us to create opportunities for Jamaicans to show their support for our athletes both locally and globally. This song serves as a rallying cry, highlighting our unity and commitment to competing as a united team,” Red Stripe Brand Manager Nathan Nelms, emphasised.
As Team Jamaica prepares to shine on the track in Paris, “Jamaica All The Way” is set to inspire, motivate, and encourage them to reach new heights of glory at the 2024 Olympics.
Full Circle: Naomy Grand’Pierre to coach Haiti’s Olympic swimming team in Paris
In a full-circle moment, former Haitian swimmer Naomy Grand’Pierre will coach Haiti's two-member swimming team at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Grand’Pierre, who made history as the first female swimmer to represent Haiti at the Olympics in 2016, is now set to lead her younger brother Alex Grand’Pierre and 14-year-old Mayah Chouloute to the global stage.
Reflecting on her transition from athlete to coach, the 27-year-old Grand’Pierre described the experience as profoundly meaningful. "It's definitely a full circle moment for me," she shared. "When I was going to the Olympics, I was the first female swimmer and the first swimmer to represent Haiti since 1996. It was a very isolating and new experience. I'm excited to share all the things that I've learned and make sure that the two athletes attending the Games have a really good time. They feel confident and don't have to deal with the insecurities I faced."
Grand’Pierre’s firsthand experience as a trailblazer provides her with unique insights to mentor her athletes effectively. She emphasized the importance of comprehensive preparation, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. "Being the first, you're kind of the guinea pig. I had to figure everything out on my own. I think the part I’ll enjoy most is letting the athletes know every single detail, what to expect, and having the mental and emotional preparation alongside the physical training," she explained. "I'll get to coach them and also get to coach my younger self in the process."
Grand’Pierre is optimistic about the growth and development her athletes will experience in Paris. "Getting to be surrounded by the world's top swimmers helps you improve your game dramatically. They’ll be inspired, and representing Haiti, especially with all the political setbacks we've been dealing with, will make the experience even more significant."
At just 14 years old, Mayah Chouloute is set to become the youngest swimmer ever to represent Haiti at the Olympics. Grand’Pierre sees a bit of herself in Chouloute. "Mayah definitely caught the world and the team by surprise. Her determination and willingness to step into the unknown and represent Haiti makes her a very coachable athlete. I'm looking forward to getting some one-on-one time with her to make sure she's ready to embrace the moment and the opportunity."
Grand’Pierre’s younger brother, Alex, a 21-year-old gold medalist in the breaststroke at the CCCAN Championships in Mexico, is also part of the team. Coaching a sibling at the Olympics can be a monumental task, Grand’Pierre does not see her brother presenting one. "There's absolutely no challenge. Alexander is a fantastic brother. We've trained together, and coaching him is a collaborative situation. We tackle it together, and we've gone through several meets where I've been his coach. It’s always been a fantastic experience. I'm really looking forward to doing it with him at the Olympic Games."
As Naomy Grand’Pierre prepares to guide Haiti’s swimming team at the Paris Olympics, with her expertise and passion, she is poised to lead Mayah Chouloute and Alex Grand’Pierre to a memorable Olympic experience and hopefully inspiring a new generation of Haitian athletes.
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