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Fifth annual Kramer Fife Relays in honor of former coach
Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
Photo by Marcus Frazier
Wilkinson County Christian Academy’s Todd Gonda snaps the tape at the finish line giving his team a time of 3:57 for the 1,600 meter relays Wednesday evening during the fifth annual Kramer Fife Relays at Adams County Christian School.
NATCHEZ — On the surface, the event that took place at ACCS Wednesday afternoon looked like any other track meet.
But the fifth annual Kramer Fife Relays was much more than just a normal track meet. It was a way to honor a beloved alumnus and coach who died before his time.
The Huntington Hounds and WCCA Rams tied for first place in the girls competition while Trinity Episcopal won the boys competition with ACCS finishing in second place.
But the winners weren’t all that was important.
The event also helped raise money for a scholarship foundation through t-shirt sales and sponsorships.
“There’s a long list of people who have made this possible,” ACCS athletic director and track coach Paul Hayles said. “There’s a lot of people who do a lot for this event. I’m just a small spoke in the wheel.”
Kramer Fife, the brother of ACCS boys basketball coach Rick Fife, was an ACCS alumnus and assistant football coach when he suffered an untimely death.
“I had the honor of coaching Kramer when he was a player here,” Hayles said. “He had a bright future ahead of him. The kids loved him. We lost a good one.”
The meet has always been a big deal for the school, which lets out early so the students can attend the event in its entirety.
“Everyone looks forward to it,” Hayles said. “This is an event that will stay around for a long time.”
And the day was made even more special because it was Rick Fife’s birthday.
“We had the meet to honor his brother on his birthday,” Hayles said. “It was a very special day.”
Comments
Posted by straightshooter1 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, how i miss my "red-headed" boy. I coached Kramer when he was 11 in Dixie youth along with my son. They became the best of friends and Kramer spent many days and nights at my house when he was in high school. He was such a good kid and was always fun to have around. Nicknamed me Poppa T. He also was one of the members of the orginal "half-ton" relay team at ACCS and was a member of the football team. He and other members of the team would show up at my house after the games on Friday to watch the film I had made of the game and they would laugh and watch the game over and over again. I would just sit and watch them having so much fun...those were some golden days...how I miss them and Kramer in particular. Rest in peace my boy.
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In the few times I was around Kramer, he made me laugh, he was an absolute joy to be around.
Posted by amawilson (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was lucky enough to be related to Kramer. He was my cousin. Kramer was one of kind. I, nor anyone else, will ever meet another person like him. He was always alot of fun to be around. There was never a dull moment when he was around. My family and I were all very touched when they something said about doing a track event in his honor. We miss him every day. I miss him everyday. There is not a day that have gone by in the last 5 years that I have not that about boy. However I know he is with us everyday. We miss you and Love you Kramer!!!
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