(EDITOR’S NOTE: On August 7, 2019, I published an article in BAHAMAS CHRONICLE about Yolett McPhee-McCuin, women’s basketball coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), who is the daughter of legendary Bahamian basketball coach Gladstone “Moon” McPhee. In it I highlighted some aspects of Gladstone’s coaching career and made the following statement: “His success as a coach in Grand Bahama and nationally should have long ago qualified him to be recognized by the Government for one of the national honours that over the years successive governments have reserved for politicians and financial donors to their respective political parties.” Therefore, I was extremely pleased to read in my journalistic colleague Fred Sturrup’s SPORTS SCOPE column in The Freeport News below that the Grand Bahama Sports Promotion Association (GBSPA) will honour “Moon” during a testimonial banquet on September 13. Such recognition is more than long overdue.)
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Ballroom two at the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama, will come alive on Friday evening, September 13, with tributes, satire and generally good wishes, when the Grand Bahama Sports Promotion Association (GBSPA) showcases one of the truly great Bahamians, the venerable sports mentor Coach Gladstone “Moon” McPhee.
A resident of Grand Bahama for over four decades, McPhee became entrenched in sports development from a very early age in New Providence, his birth island, mentoring fellow junior players in baseball, softball and basketball. Coaching, seemingly was his life destiny because his primary interest was always to ensure that the skill process was followed as best as was possible.
Over time, this product of Centreville in New Providence, The Valley Community to be precise, made a huge difference for hundreds of families by coordinating programs that afforded scholarships or prepared young boys and girls for educational and sports advancement. Many families saved lots of money because of benefiting from scholarships McPhee arranged. Their children were able to move comfortably through significant development phases of their lives without funding having to come from the respective households.
McPhee contributed to sports development also through administration. He has headed the national basketball program; he restructured the basketball culture in Grand Bahama; and he remains active in sports administration as the founder/coordinator of HOYTES (Helping Our Youth Through Education and Sports). http://thefreeportnews.com/sports-scope/testimonial-banquet-to-honour-coaching-legend-moon-mcphee-set-for-sept-13/
