As I heard the news, a smile was instantaneous. Leford himself reminded me of a conversation we had when he first arrived on campus in Charlotte, North Carolina even before his coach, Lennox Graham, arrived to lead the rebirth of the track program. In that conversation with him, I quoted my former Coach William P. Moultrie and shared what he told his track teams when they first arrived at Howard University. He said, “Sacrifice four years of your life for the rest of your life.” The smile that was instantaneous was because not only did he get it done on the track, he graduated in four years with that degree in his hip pocket. That is what it is all about. Getting that degree and becoming solid citizens in our world. He fulfilled the tenets of living up to the moniker of student-athlete.

His story is one that is shaped with several key principles so many overlook on their respective journeys. Grit, focus, determination and humility. All this celebration stems from me having a serendipitous and insightful conversation with Lennox Graham at the Penn Relays one spring in Philadelphia, a visionary president and leader in Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy being at the helm of the university at the time, who wanted to revive a track and field program in a new $11 million stadium (with a state-of-the-art mondo track), and finally the courage of Leford to follow his coach to Charlotte, look at where we are today. Leford was the first young man to buy into the vision of Dr. Yancy and Lennox (who himself made some major sacrifices).

A talent from his high school days at Greater Portmore High School, and then transferring to Kingston College, Leford accepted the task of restoring the track and field program to prominence at Johnson C. Smith University. His unselfishness nature paved the way for many other athletes from Jamaica to get an opportunity to get a degree.

There are doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and others who received an opportunity from Jamaica because he decided to take a chance. His persona and team-oriented demeanor, and overall talent in sports, inspired “walk ons” to join the team to have enough athletes to build a powerhouse in Division II in a very short period. He personally tried to recruit people to the team.

A semester after his arrival, Shermaine Williams came. She was a graduate of Alpha Academy and was coached by Coach Graham. A year later, her sister, Danielle 'Ants' Williams joined them on the journey. This story does have a great ending. Because of Leford’s efforts to kickstart the program, Johnson C. Smith University now has six Olympians. Five of them came to the track program since Leford started its rebirth. They are Leford Green (two-time Olympian), Shermaine Williams (two-time Olympian), Danielle Williams, two-time World Champion (and will compete in her first Olympics in the Summer of 2024), Tovea Jenkins (one-time Olympian), and Kendra Clarke of Canada (one-time Olympian). These five join Mr. Vince Matthews who represented the United States in 1972.

All of this was possible simply because a great president, a legendary Fortisan in Coach Graham, and this young man Leford Green were able to dream big when the odds were stacked against them. They bought into the concept of “Go Big or Go Home.”

Congratulations Leford. I remember that first trip we took to NCAA Indoor Nationals in Mankato, MN where you announced boldly (along with Shermaine on the women’s side) that you had arrived, and that JCSU track and field was back. You left that meet as the NCAA champion over 400 meters and never looked back.

I plan to attend your ceremony in September, good sir. The journey continues. You were the spark to set this team transformation ablaze. Never forget that. Fortis for Life!!!!!

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