Randy Benjamin
TRACK & FIELD
Achievements:
Northern England Track and Field Champion: Won the long jump and triple jump while studying at Sheffield Teacher Training College.
1966 Commonwealth Games Representative: Represented Bermuda in track and field.
First Black Teacher at Saltus (1968): Pioneered diversity in education at Saltus Grammar School.
Track and Field Advocate: Instrumental in organizing Bermuda's first national championships and sending a team to the CAC Games.
Carifta Games Co-founder: Played a key role in establishing the Carifta Games, boosting Caribbean athletics.
BTFA President (1974-1980): Helped Bermuda achieve its golden age of athletics, including organizing the successful 1975 Carifta Games in Bermuda.
BOA Standards Committee Member: Ensured that only top athletes represented Bermuda internationally.
Lifetime Achievement Awards: Honored by Carifta and the BTFA in 1996 for his significant contributions to athletics.
Government Special Achievement Award (1980-81): Recognized for his outstanding contributions to sports in Bermuda.
Biography:
Randy Benjamin was a man of unwavering integrity and a passionate advocate for sports in Bermuda. A graduate of The Berkeley Institute, Benjamin ventured to England for higher education, attending Sheffield Teacher Training College alongside Randy Horton and Darrell Fubler. During his time in England, Benjamin excelled in athletics, winning the long jump and triple jump in the Northern England Track and Field Championships and representing Bermuda at the 1966 Commonwealth Games.
Upon returning to Bermuda in 1967, Benjamin broke new ground by becoming the first black teacher at Saltus Grammar School in 1968. His influence extended beyond the classroom as he actively participated in various sports. He played forward for the Pembroke Juniors and the Devonshire Cougars and was a dedicated softball and cricket player for Devonshire Recreation Club. Elsworth Christopher, president of DRC, praised Benjamin as an "untiring coach" who willingly shared his knowledge and helped players develop essential life skills.
At the young age of 28, Benjamin demonstrated remarkable foresight and dedication to advancing sports in Bermuda. He played a pivotal role in organizing Bermuda's first national track and field championships and was instrumental in sending a team to the CAC Games in Jamaica. His visionary efforts culminated in the founding of the Carifta Games, which significantly boosted athletics throughout the Caribbean. Bermuda's golden age of athletics began under his leadership, with the 1973 Carifta team winning 13 medals.
In 1974, the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) became the national governing body for the sport, fulfilling one of Benjamin's dreams. He served as the organizing chairman for the 1975 Carifta Games held in Bermuda, where the island nation dethroned Jamaica as the Carifta champions for the first time.
Benjamin's contributions extended to the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA), where he served on the standards committee, ensuring that only the most deserving athletes represented Bermuda internationally. After stepping down as BTFA president in 1980, he continued to provide invaluable guidance as a director from 1984 to 1998.
Throughout his career, Benjamin received numerous accolades recognizing his significant impact on sports in Bermuda. He was honored with a Special Achievement Award from the Government in 1980-81, as part of the first-ever Sports Awards. In 1996, both Carifta and the BTFA presented him with lifetime achievement awards for his outstanding contributions to athletics.
Legacy:
Randy Benjamin's legacy is one of dedication, integrity, and visionary leadership. His contributions to track and field and football in Bermuda have left an indelible mark on the island's sporting landscape. As a co-founder of the Carifta Games and a driving force behind Bermuda's golden age of athletics, Benjamin's efforts have inspired generations of athletes. His pioneering role as the first black teacher at Saltus and his tireless work as a coach and administrator reflect his commitment to excellence and equity in sports. Randy Benjamin's legacy continues to inspire and guide future generations of Bermudian athletes and sports enthusiasts.
4o