YOLANDE SMALL is the closest alumna of St. Augustine High Comprehensive School—now St. Augustine High School—to being inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at an American university.
Small, a former athlete, joins four other St. Augustine alumni, all football players, who became Hall of Famers at American universities. During the 1980s, the “Green Machine” was a formidable force in high school sports, producing some fine football players.
St. Augustine also excelled in other sports such as netball, hockey, basketball, athletics and chess.
In the field of culture, they were also involved in the Panorama Junior Steelband events and the Music Festival.
Football Hall of Famers include Earl Parris (University of Michigan 1984-87, Oakland University 1987-90), John Nedd (Appalachian State University 1982-85), Garth Pollonais (Erskine University 1983-86) and Andy Salandy (Appala State ). University 1970-1990).
Approximately 50 St. Augustine alumni were awarded athletic scholarships to universities/colleges in the United States. Like Small, most settled in the US after graduation and have gone on to have successful life careers.
Small was inducted into the Grambling State University Hall of Fame on July 9, 2022, when she was presented with a key to the city of Grambling, Louisiana.
Small was announced as one of the University’s legends when the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame Committee announced the selection of outstanding individuals to be inducted into its 14th class.
Officially becoming GSU Legends in the Class of 2022 were Small representing track and field, Clemente Gordon, Andrew Jackson, Robert Taylor and Rodney Tureaud representing the sport of football; Shiakeia Carter, Joseph Jones and Joseph Simpson representing basketball; Dr James Hammond and Juan Watkins represent baseball.
Outstanding career in athletics
Small had an outstanding collegiate athletic career and was part of the GSU women’s 4×400-meter relay team that still holds the school record with a time of three minutes, 30.86 seconds.
Small attended St Augustine Senior Comprehensive between 1979-1983 and was a highly regarded local athlete, resulting in her receiving a four-year scholarship to Grambling State University.
After graduating, she became a mother before resuming her athletics career and in 1988 made a gallant effort to earn selection in the Trinidad and Tobago team for the Seoul Olympics.
She finished third in the 400m at the T&T national selection race.
Six athletes eventually represented T&T at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. They were quarter-milers Patrick Delice and Ian Morris, as well as sprinter Angela Williams in athletics.
Cyclists Gene “Geronimo” Samuel and Maxwell Cheesman, as well as swimmer Karen Dieffenthaler also represented the twin island republic.
