Club gets kids on the right track (and field)

The Miami Coconut Grove Track Club has provided a start for many kids in the Coconut Grove area. Roscoe Parrish went on to become a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills football team and Rafeeq Curry competed for the U.S. Olympic team in the triple jump.

Parrish and Curry are only two of the many Track Club alumni who went on to high school or college teams, breaking records in Florida and the nation.

This track club, however, places an emphasis not just on reaching the finish line on the track, but also in the field of education and all other aspects of kids’ lives.

Coach Kimberly Davis, along with husband David Davis, Terrence Jenkins and Roger Ellison, are all former track-and-field participants from schools around Miami who coach the kids.

“There is seriously nothing better than watching a child grow and develop right in front of your eyes. We have a lot of these kids out here from a young age, and to watch them work to overcome their fears and grow into a person they never thought they’d be before is incomparable,” said Ellison.

Ellison, along with the other coaches, doesn’t limit growing and developing to just the track field. They have certain requirements for the 30 participating members.

“They must meet a certain grade requirement to be able to participate. We make them turn in every report card and get updates from their teachers. If they are misbehaving or slacking, they aren’t allowed to practice,” said Kimberly Davis.

Kids that are misbehaving or not keeping up with their grades must still attend practice, but instead of running and participating, they are asked to do homework or read a book and go over it with a coach afterwards.

This emphasis on education and discipline has helped members with their school performance, as well as with their overall attitude. Natasha Kimbrough has seen a change in her two girls, 8 and 10.

“They are definitely more motivated to go to school because that means they get to come out here and run. It teaches them to stay determined and finish both on the track and in the classroom,” said Kimbrough.

The Miami Coconut Grove Track Club became well known when Coconut Grove residents Richard Curry and Daryl Grice teamed up to lead and organize the club. Curry brought his experience in the athletic realm, while Grice contributed his educational expertise. Today Curry is a track meet official and Grice is an administrative assistant for Miami Central High School.

“If you mentioned the Curry-Grice name, and even if you still mention it, people know you’re good,” said Kimberly Davis.

In the past years, former President Carl Springer, Jr., organized tutoring for the members of the Track Club on Wednesdays at George W. Carver Elementary School. The tutoring sessions were cancelled this year because of school board budget cuts and an increase in costs to use the facilities.

The Track Club includes 30 kids ranging in age from 5 to 14. Their season begins in January with a kick-off barbeque and officially runs February through July. In this time the kids spend four days of the week practicing and nearly every weekend at a meet or fundraising.

“A lot of these kids spend more time with us than their parents and I really think they look up to us and respect us as parents. It’s a great feeling,” said Kimberly Davis.

The Track Club works hard throughout their season to eventually end up at the Junior Olympic qualifier in Orlando. They would ultimately like to be able to go to the Junior Olympics, but currently lack the funds to do so.

“Many of our kids have the best stats in the state and a few even in the nation. One day we’d like to see them actually be able to compete at the Junior Olympics,” said Kimberly Davis.

But the Track Club is not just for the young. Grove resident Barbara Williams is a former member with younger generations of her own family involved.

“Both of my nieces are presently part of the Miami Coconut Grove Track Club and say they are going to be stars like their Auntie Barbara,” said Williams.

In the past 20 years, the Miami Coconut Grove Track Club has changed its name, changed its leadership, but the goals and the traditions have remained the same.

“It’s a real community thing. It’s all about the kids and having fun and making sure it continues for generations to come,” said current President Karen Hall.

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