-
Share This:
-
Rate this article:
Weather
Max: 87°F | Min: 76°F
| Dennis Darling happy as TCU assistant coach |
|
Fred Sturrup
Guardian Columnist/Sales Executive
Published: Feb 10, 2012
What's happening with Denis Darling? Well, he's quite relaxed, comfortable and doing meaningful work at Texas Christian University as an assistant coach of the athletics program. Darling is yet another of a growing list of Bahamians who are showing that this country goes far beyond simply producing world-class competitors. We have those good sports mentors and administrators who are very much appreciated the world over. Darling, following a standout career as a quality junior athlete and an elite senior competitor, went into coaching. He assumed his position at TCU in 2009 after a stint at the University of Texas-Arlington that caused him to be noticed around the country, on the collegiate circuit in the United States. He is certainly building a really nice legacy in coaching. At Texas-Arlington, he is credited with leading the men's 4X100 team to the 2009 National Collegiate Athletics Association's (NCAA) Outdoor Championships. Along the way, he guided two of his athletes to All-American status in the short sprints. Darling is one of those easy-going fundamentalists who understands the principles of sprinting very well. He is building a reputation for smoothly passing on techniques and training procedures to his athletes. Many remember Darling primarily from his time as member of The Bahamas' national 1600 meters team. He was indeed a solid performer, good enough to be among the group that finished fourth at the Sydney 2000 Olympics behind the United States, Nigeria and Jamaica. The U.S. team was later disqualified. In 2003 he was also a part of the national team that competed at the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) World Championships. The Bahamas captured the bronze medal. Darling was also a quality junior quarter miler, winning an individual 400 meters medal and a relay bronze medal. There is still more to Dennis Darling that readers might not know or remember. He was a terrific performer at the University of Houston and won 12 individual and relay conference titles. He was a Conference USA Indoor Men's Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior at UH. Darling was a four-time All-American and one of Houston's best, both indoor, and outdoor. He owns a personal best open 400 meters mark of 45.83, but his real forte was that second leg of the relay. Indeed, Darling paid his dues as a junior competitor, at the collegiate level and definitely as a senior elite performer. The competitive days are over but the passion still runs deep in the 36-year-old. Now, the athletes in his charge are benefiting in kind. Darling's contribution to the sports power image of his native country has been vital. Congratulations Dennis! Best wishes to you and your athletes throughout this indoor season and well beyond!
•To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at fredericksturrup@gmail.com.
|
