Outstanding T&T Olympian and 400 metres gold medalist, the late Deon Lendore, was posthumously honoured with an induction into the Hall of Fame at the prestigious Texas A&M University last Friday.
The T&T legend died tragically in a car accident in Texas on January 10, 2022 at just 29 years old while undertaking coaching duties at the university. His award was received by his former head coach, Pat Henry, with whom he shared a close relationship.
Guardian Media Sports reached out to Lendore's mother, Chrispina Edmund, who was proud of the induction and had nothing but fond memories of her influential son, "Don't mind that he has passed on. The school is still doing things to uplift his name and to carry on his legacy."
In recalling the all too short life of her son, she said, "When we reflect on his life, we see that he was different. He started off as a very loving child and matured into a role model for all of his compatriots."
Lendore was a proud product of the Abilene Wildcats Sports club in T&T, after which he honed his talents while attending Queens Royal College at the high school level.
He would then go on to further his athletics career by attending Texas A&M University after gaining a well-earned athletic scholarship, this breakthrough seeing him quickly improving and hitting the podium while representing T&T at the ensuing Carifta Games and the Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships.
He also developed an outstanding reputation on the American NCAA circuit while representing Texas A&M, winning the award as the university’s top male athlete in 2013/2014.
Lendore was among eight inductees into the Texas A&M Hall of Fame, along with Shea Groom (soccer); Jerrod Kappler (men's swimming and diving); Ashley Knoll (women's golf); Jake Matthews (football); Kristie Smedsrud-Dock (volleyball); Jeneba Tarmoh (women's track and field) and Michael Wacha (baseball).
