Springfield College Alumnus Continues Program Celebrating the Olympics
In the summer of 1983, I was thinking about the upcoming Olympic Games that were going to be held in Los Angeles and how I could create a great learning experience for my elementary age students. As a physical educator I wanted to find a way to give the students a hands-on learning experience. And with a love for running, thank you Vern Cox former Track and Cross-Country Coach at Springfield, the idea of creating An Olympic Torch Run Through Norwalk, where I worked was born.
I started planning the course with a map of the city in hand, driving from my school on a route that would pass by every school in town. At each half mile mark, I noted the spot on my city map, as those would be the changeover places for the runners. I was able to create a route that was mostly on sidewalks and passed all the schools.
The logistics of figuring the time it would take to reach each spot was important as it would take a team of parent volunteers to shuttle students to their assigned running positions at those designated spots and times. Schools would be notified as to when we would be passing by in hopes they would come out and support the runners.
With shirts and shorts ordered for all students, police permit secured, volunteer drivers gathered, and all the preplanning finished, it was time for the event to take place. Not unlike the name of the school, Columbus, this felt like a journey to the unknown. Would this really work, would parents be there with the runners, would we make it back to school in time for dismissal, would the students be excited to do this?
And so, on one of the hottest June days ever back in 1984, the first two runners set off with a plastic torch we had bought for this five-hour, twenty-three-mile journey through the City of Norwalk to give my students a sense of what the Olympic Torch Run was really about; how it passes through communities on its way to the final destination and the lighting of the flame.
Riding in a pace car alongside the runners it was just pure joy seeing their faces light up while running in pairs. Each time we approached the next two runners who were gleefully awaiting to take the torch, you could feel the spirit of the day. As we rounded the corner towards the first school on our route, we could see that the whole school had come out, lining the streets to give us a cheer. Getting closer you could see the signs they made saying “Go Columbus”, “You Can Do It”, “USA” and hear their cheering voices. I truly had tears of joy in my eyes. It was so inspiring! So real!
On we journeyed through this great City of Norwalk, with people honking their horns, schools coming out to cheer and the parents who had driven the students to their running spots, so excited to see their kids running.
For the finish we had setup a sound system on the school field, flags from many nations and the everyone came out and lined the field. As the last two runners entered the field with the music of “Chariots of Fire” blazing in the background and thunderous cheers, I truly couldn’t believe the elation I felt of seeing this event come to fruition. It was like winning a gold medal, a league championship, a state title. The students received praise from dignitaries that had been invited and the mayor, who handed each one a proclamation honoring this event. We had made mini torches out of pvc pipe and painted gold for each one. Some parents I am still in touch with say they still have them on their bureau.
Since 1984, I staged this event every four years to coincide with the Olympic Games; 88, 92, 96, 2000, 2004, each time with the same degree of enthusiasm and excitement. For the year 2004, I wrote the Olympic Committee and asked if they might give us a real torch for this event and they proceeded to send me a torch that had been part of the 1996 Atlanta Games. It didn’t light anymore but we used it along with an Olympic Flag that the students carried. They were so proud to be holding such a piece of history in their hands. A week after our run in 1996, the real torch relay heading to Atlanta passed through Norwalk and I took all the students to the route so they could see it go by. What a moment! Our torch rests in a case in the school, a sacred piece of history for them to admire.
When I retired the Physical Education Teacher who replaced me was eager to continue the tradition. Also, a graduate of Springfield, Smith Mowry, enthusiastically continued the event and each time I helped him as he added his own touches to the run in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.
As I held that torch this past May and met up with some of the runners who participated int the first one back in 1984, I felt a wonderful sense of pride and satisfaction. How forty years later a meaningful experience for the students at my old school, which I started, continues its magic for all who participate in it.
I know my education at Springfield instilled in me a spirit of wanting to create meaningful learning experiences for my students. Teaching young children for thirty-seven years brought me much joy and satisfaction. Still in touch with so many of them and their parents and the memories live on.
The torch, a tradition, and a teacher. One brief shining moment that touched students, parents, community for the past forty years and certainly encompassed the spirit, mind, and body philosophy that we try to reach in the people we serve. I know I was so fortunate to graduate from a college that instilled those important values in my persona, and I was blessed with a rich and rewarding career as an educator.
