SOUTH ORANGE – The Jaguar Track Club of the South Orange Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs started out two decades ago to give boys and girls in Maplewood-South Orange and surrounding communities something positive to do.
But along the way, the competitive and successful program became much more than a sport for nearly 2,000 young people ages 6 to 18.
It became a family, a connection to the community that has spanned 20 years.
On Wednesday, Dec. 28, its alumni, family and friends will celebrate this journey during a reunion from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Richfield Regency in Verona.
Since its inception in 1996, the Jaguar Track Club’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence has been based on this motto – “Train your mind to lead, train your body to follow.”
“It’s not about winning,” said Daneen Cooper, the sprint coach and one of four founders of the club. “It’s about doing your best, putting forth your best effort and then, let’s see what happens.”
The team, led by a volunteer coaching staff, started out with 40 athletes for the inaugural outdoor, indoor and cross-country season. Now, there are over 90 participating in the program and they have competed in numerous local, state, regional and national meets across the country.
Jaguar athletes, some who are lawyers, physicians, writers and photographers, have attended prestigious schools, including more than 108 colleges and universities.
The team, a feeder system for the Columbia High School track program, shows no signs of slowing down with over 90 kids signed up for the current indoor season.
“When you have a kid that’s all in, then we have to be all in,” said Maurice Cooper, head coach, founder, and husband of Daneen Cooper. “Longevity is not an annual consideration. Our approach is to connect with each new generation of athlete and have a fresh outlook for each year. We coaches refuel from the kids’ energy, excitement, and commitment.”
Ticket purchase for the event and donation contribution can be made on Eventbrite.com, by searching “Jaguar 20 Anniversary”.
South Orange Jaguar Track Club celebrates 20 years of excellence with reunion on Dec. 28 added by Editor on
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