Cayman athletics icon Jerry Harper dies at 83

Cayman Islands athletics pioneer Gerald ‘Jerry’ Harper – better known as ‘Coach’ – passed away Sunday, 24 Oct. He was 83.

Harper was a longtime educator, coach and volunteer who first moved to the Cayman Islands in the 1970s and has been honoured over the years for his contributions in both education and sports.

“He has been one of the best known coaches throughout the Caribbean and he has left a void in the Cayman Islands,” national athletics head coach Kenrick Williams told the Cayman Compass.

Harper founded the Phoenix Athletic Club, helped create and organise many of Cayman’s local running events and previously served as vice president of the Cayman Islands Athletic Association. He also volunteered with Special Olympics Cayman Islands and could always be found near the finish line of a local sporting event congratulating athletes and never turning down a chance to talk about sports.

“We are so saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend Coach Jerry Harper. He has been supporting our event since its inception with his amazing athletic knowledge and keen interest in everything running,” the Cayman Islands Marathon posted to its social media pages.

“For many years he was a timer at the finish line of our sea swims, and anyone who got in the way of his sight line would be ‘bellowed at’ in his trademark fashion until they moved,” the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association posted on its social media pages.

“CIASA joins the Cayman Islands sporting community in sharing fond memories of Coach Jerry Harper.”

Harper coached hundreds of Caymanians on all three islands over the years, including Olympic long jumper Kareem Streete-Thompson.

In 2012, Harper received a Certificate and Badge of Honour on Heroes Day for his contribution to education in the Cayman Islands and in 2018 he was honoured on National Heroes Day as a pioneer in sports.

“He has developed many Caymanians to many international meets in long jump and high jump and even the triple jump events,” Williams said.

Harper was originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts, and coached at a junior and professional level for nearly five decades, including stints in the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Haiti and Puerto Rico.

He first taught and coached in Cayman Brac upon arriving in the Cayman Islands before eventually moving to Grand Cayman.

“Education and sports have both served me well. Through the years, it has put me in contact with some major sports figures. But most of all, I have been very pleased with the accomplishments of my students and athletes, both academically and athletically, wherever I have been privileged to serve,” Harper is quoted as saying upon receiving his Certificate and Badge of Honour.