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Oct. 16, 2007 NEW JERSEY CITY, N.J. - While attending Maryland State College (now University of Maryland Eastern Shore), Charlie Mays held the No.1 ranking in the world in the indoor 500-yard dash and was also a two-time NCAA Champion in the long jump and the mile relay. Two and half years after his death, Mays will be recognized when the County of Hudson in New Jersey dedicates the track at Jersey City's Lincoln Park, in his memory. The dedication ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 16 at 3 p.m. at the county park in Jersey City. Mays, who holds a degree in mathematics from Maryland State College, was inducted in the UMES Hall of Fame in 1982. He won the National AAU Broad Jumping Championship and was chosen to compete in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City on the U.S. Broad-Jump Team. Mays captured the All-Eastern Track and Field Championship with a jump of 24 feet and 11 inches. He was an AAU All-American a total of 11 times and named the AAU Track and Field Athlete of the Year on three occasions. Mays was a six time champion in the 440-yard dash. He passed away after an illness in April, 2005. He was an assistant coach for the Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) (NJCU) indoor and outdoor women's programs during the 1996-97 season and also coached for more than seven seasons as an assistant at Seton Hall University. Mays also served as a member of the Jersey City council for six years and was inducted into the Hudson County Hall of Fame. His son, Charlie Mays Jr. is in his fifth year as head coach of the NJCU men's and women's cross country programs, and has served as an assistant coach of the men's and women's indoor and outdoor programs over the last four seasons. Lincoln Park is the home training facility for the Gothic Knights. "Being that I'm down there and it's like my other office, this truly is an honor for me and my entire family," said Mays, Jr. of the dedication. "Of all the honors he has or may receive, this is probably the most meaningful. To be honored by your hometown, where your career began and ended, is very special. And I will get to see this every day coaching for NJCU, training on that track. He definitely has created a legacy now." Portions of this release appear compliments of the New Jersey City University sports information department. |
