Track and field is one of the biggest spring sports in Memphis. The teams are often the largest and the meets are quite the social gathering.
During the week, there are exhibition meets sprinkled across the city, while the bigger, more competitive meets are hosted on Saturdays. These meets are where careers are made and legacies are honored.
The Legacy Bonner Relays celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, March 28, honoring the impact of Coach Dee Bonner on the Memphis area.
If you competed in varsity track in the local area you competed at the Bonner Relays at least once, but you might not know the man behind the meet.
Dee Bonner was born on September, 23, 1929 in Centralia, Illinois. He was a tri-sport athlete, but a state champion on the track.
Enrolling at Arkansas State in 1951, Bonner played football, basketball, and competed in track. He earned 11 varsity letters, and held the Arkansas State record for shot put for over 20 years.
After his playing days were over, Bonner entered the world of coaching. At Holland high school in Missouri, he coached football, the team’s first state medalist in track, and an undefeated girls basketball team. He was the winningest coach in school history for each sport.
Bonner entered the sales world for 30 years after that, but stayed involved in coaching. He volunteered at Harding Academy and Bartlett High School.
He loved working with the athletes, especially the raw, undeveloped talent, by building them into champions and men along the way.
Today, his legacy is remembered through the Bonner Relays, hosted annually at one of his voluntary positions, Harding Academy.
This year, West Memphis took home the boys trophy, while Munford was victorious on the girls side.
Both of these schools are on the fringes of Memphis, showing the reach and importance of this meet not only on immediate location, but the entire region.
