Keith as a kid ran a 9.6 100-yard dash.
The
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center is a mecca for kiddies and masters alike. Its indoor track at Roxbury Community College outside Boston has hosted USATF masters indoor nationals 14 times, the latest being in 2014. Now a soap opera involving former sprinter
Keith McDermott, its M50 director, appears to be headed for resolution. He was fired for reasons unclear. (Some think it’s because Keith didn’t make the center available for college class registration. Others hint of embezzlement.) Now the
Boston Globe suggests Keith will be reinstated if management of the track is moved to the University of Massachusetts, as some state lawmakers want. I don’t know the ins and outs of this case, but I sure hope Boston stays in the masters nationals rotation. Folks have fond memories of the meets. Keith was probably one reason for that. “I think at the end of the day whatever you do it comes back to you,” McDermott told the Globe. “I think things are going to work themselves out.”
3 Responses
I will go on record and say that the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center would not be what it is today if not for Keith McDermott and the crew he has put together. It is an Indoor track Mecca certainly, but, much like Keith himself, is SO much more.
It is a beacon of health and recreation to the Senior citizens of the community, who have stretching and dynamic movement classes upstairs in the facility. Keith’s wife Cheryl is the one who put that program in place. It is a home for at least 3 college T&F programs and most of the high school leagues in the Greater Boston and surrounding communities. And, it has hosted numerous National Championship events – Scholastic, Collegiate, Open, as well as our own Masters meets. They hold several Youth meets there over the course of the Indoor season as well as Weight Throw clinics, tennis practices, and it is home to the both current and former Men’s and Women’s NJCAA National Champion Basketball teams. Keith has put the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center (RLTAC) in the forefront of the T&F community and is ever gracious and accommodating to our ranks. He will continue to be held in the highest regard by those who know him, and having his name and reputation tarnished unfairly by the President of Roxbury CC says more about her than it does about Keith. He has the support of the people who know the real story here in the New England area.
The cream always rises to the top.
I completely agree with you Bob… Thank you for posting your comments. Keith has done a remarkable job during his tenure at Reggie Lewis. He is the consummate gentleman, and a hands on guy..He is a true friend of Track and Field no matter what our ages.. We are behind you Keith..
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