Editor's note: The views of this article are solely those of John Olson
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The last voicemail I received from Bob Jenkins before he passed away in April was about how he was not able to view results on scrunners.com for some reason. Bob was one of my most loyal supporters and readers.
Jenkins was a key figure in starting the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (SCTCCCA). Without the SCTCCCA today, most meets (Coaches Classic) and the state championships would not take place. Bob's guidance and expertise were major factors in the stability of the sport today.
Naming both Coaches Classic meets in memory of Jenkins was a good and necessary move by the association. I hope it will remind all of us to stay involved in the sports to help make things better.
How can this be done? Everyone needs to work together and not be the complainers on the sidelines. Bob never was.
Jenkins, 79, retired from coaching in 2009 from South Pointe. He began his coaching career in 1957 in Virginia, moving to South Carolina to coach at Carlisle Military School in Bamberg from 1961 to 1965. He served as athletic director and coach at York High in 1965, then coach at Rock Hill High in 1968 before going to Northwestern High in 1971. He served as president of the SCTCCCA from 1974 to 1978 and again from 1992 to 1995.
Bob was always showing a love for the sport. He pushed for indoor for several years and would still be pushing for it today.
I never returned the call, something I will never forget (and still feel bad about). I will continue to show a love for the sport by covering the sport to the best of my ability.
This is what Bob would want, and as a group we cannot give up.
Are you up to the challenge?