Talmadge Dixon
1946 – 2008
As shared by his wife, Narda Dixon
Talmadge Dixon was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. He was the nephew of Thomas Martin’s wife. Known affectionally as Tam to his friends, Talmadge’s father died when he was 3 or 4 years old and thus, he was raised by his mother. They lived in Saxon Homes as so many other Sharks have noted. This is not the first time the reader has read about Talmadge Dixon. Gary Bell shares in his story about the relay race they won in a competition when Talmadge, swimming the fourth leg, destroyed his opponent. It is no stretch to believe Tam was one of the fastest sprinters regardless of his stroke the Sharks ever had on their team. This writer has seen no archived photograph of race results or archived news clipping in which Talmadge did not place first in his competitions. Race results demonstrate his prowess in the backstroke, freestyle, and breaststroke while swimming in various age categories. Evidence is proof Tam Dixon was an outstanding swimmer and team member.
Narda reports she first met Tam in high school at C.A. Johnson. Narda was not one to go to Drew pool as she grew up in rural Columbia though she was keenly aware that Talmadge did swim. She believed Tam maintained the football team’s stats. Talmadge, after graduating high school, attended South Carolina State University on a swimming scholarship. As a Drew Park pool lifeguard, Tam returned to the pool to work each summer. Tam was a sociology major. Narda attended Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Bennett College was an all woman’s institution founded by the Methodist Church and recognized for excellence as an HBCU. She majored in Special Education and spent her entire career of 35 years working with special needs children. She worked in Harford County, Maryland, Baltimore City, Maryland and Martinsville, Virginia. Initially, Tam began work on his Master’s Degree at Morgan State University, though he never completed his Master’s Degree. He was employed by the McCormick & Company, Inc. (spice firm) in the area of distribution services. He later transferred to Miller Brewing Company, in Eden, North Carolina, until his retirement. The reader will note that Tam is the first Drew Park Shark engaged in the business world as an employee of a business enterprise.
Narda fondly notes that Tam was very outgoing and friendly and always felt the companionship of his team members. He continued to swim throughout his lifetime and was a member of the YMCA in Virginia. It was said of Tam, “he never met an enemy.” He was definitely a “people person” throughout his entire life. The couple had two children and Tam taught each of them to swim. His daughter graduated from Morgan State University with her Bachelor’s Degree and her Master’s Degree and was a Fulbright Scholar. She spent a year in Trinidad followed by obtaining her PhD. She is a staff attorney for the School System in New York City and resides in Brooklyn. His son attended Patrick & Henry Community College and Livingston College. Their son lives near his mom in Virginia and is employed by Allied Felts Manufacture Company, specializing in CIPP Liners (Cured-In-Place-Pipe).
What appeared to be most evident about Talmadge, as a Shark and a young, athletic male, was the confidence that he shared with his teammates. As a role model, he demonstrated to his team that success was quite possible for each of them and not out of their control. They only had to believe in themselves that with hard work, they could achieve their goals. He thrived on the pressure of being the final swimmier in the relay race because they could sense his determination and grit would lead them to victory. If Tam had been given the opportunity, he would have been an Olympic competitor.
Robert Bradley
As Shared by his daughter Dawn Bradley Cooper
“No Worries”. This was always Robert Bradley’s signature phrase. Then again, if you were as fast a swimmer as Robert Bradley, it was probably a safe bet. Others only wished they could share his confidence. Gary Bell noted that he was a middle-distance swimmer but once had the idea he would challenge Robert in a sprint. At a meet being held at Johnson C. Smith University, Gary took him on in a shorter distance race. Gary indicated after he was soundly beaten by Robert, he made the decision to remain with the middle-distance races. In the 50-meter races, Robert was nearly unbeatable. This writer has seen the archived records. In one City Meet held at Drew pool Robert ended the meet with the second highest amount of points scored. He was swimming in the junior men category. The only individual to surpass his point total was James Evans, swimming in the senior men’s category and the total point difference between the two competitors was 5 points. The reader must remember the junior men category was for boys 14, 15, and 16 years old. Men 17 or older were classified in the Senior Men category. There was no mention of the age gap between Robert and James. In another meet highlighted by the archives, Robert Bradley swam the 110-yard breaststroke, the 110-yard backstroke, the 55-yard butterfly and the 55-yard freestyle at that meet and came in first place in each event that day. That’s clearly a talented sprinter. Whether at Drew pool, or at university meets or the Palmetto Games, one thing appeared certain. Robert Bradley was taking home the trophies and ribbons for his outstanding efforts.
Born in 1942, Robert grew up on Reid Street in Saxon Homes. His mother was a nurse and Robert’s stepfather drove a cab. It wasn’t until 1997 that Robert met his real father and his father’s other family. His father had become a minister and Robert had five siblings he had never met before connecting with his birth dad. As this story is being shared by Robert’s daughter, Dawn, Robert is recovering in the hospital and about to be released to a rehab center. Everyone wishes Robert a speedy recovery. This writer realizes he’s written a number of words to this point without mentioning Robert was known by his friends as Pluto. You, the reader had to know or be anticipating or to be expecting to learn Robert’s nickname as it seems every Shark had or still has one. Robert was known for staring out into space frequently as though he was searching for Pluto. Then again, he might just have been in deep thought about his life, his next competition, or his future. Knowing how bright his future was about to be, maybe he should have been named for the brightest star. “Star” might actually have been more appropriate, but it will remain Pluto.
Pluto was six years old when he began making the short trek to Drew pool. He offered to pick up trash, to run errands for the lifeguards, or do anything he could to help them, in order to get free entry into the pool or to receive free swimming lessons. Knowing what we know now about the lifeguards, which has been reported by other Sharks regarding lifeguard behavior, it would be no surprise if Robert didn’t get financial help from them. Like others before him, Robert too, became a lifeguard and water safety instructor at Drew Pool. He played tennis in addition to swimming and later not only became a swimming coach, but the tennis coach at South Carolina State University. Robert holds the distinction of being one of the first African Americans to serve as a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming as the reader learned about previously. Robert spent summers at Yellowstone National Park as part of the Department of the Interior summer opportunity made available to African American swimmers. A former resident of Saxon Homes, Robert was inducted into the Hendley Homes Wall of Fame for his service to the community. Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s degree at South Carolina State University. He graduated from C.A. Johnson High School where he lettered in football, basketball, track and tennis. Bradley was inducted into the South Carolina State University Athletic Hall of Fame for coaching swimming and as a swimmer. After retiring from South Carolina State University, he taught Health and Physical Education and served a term as Interim Athletic Director for the Physical Education Department at Claflin University.
He and his wife Judy, also a nurse, had two children, Dawn and Rommel Holmes Bradley. Both children were born in Columbia. Both of his children with Judy were competitive swimmers at a young age and also became lifeguards and water safety instructors certified by their father. Later both Dawn and Rommel were lifeguards at Greenview Pool and taught swimming at USC National Youth Sports Program (NYSP). It was interesting his mother was a nurse and he married a nurse. The family moved to Orangeburg in 1972 when Robert began working at South Carolina State University. Pluto had attended South Carolina State University where he received his degrees. While in Orangeburg Robert started a youth swim team called the Barracudas. The Barracudas competed all over the state and region and even competed against the Drew Park Sharks. Dawn shared she and her brother swam any event that was needed to secure points for the team. She even swam in older age groups if it meant helping her team. Robert and Judy divorced and Judy moved to Boston with Rommel. Rommel worked in the City of Boston Community Center as a pool director. He also gave private swimming lessons. He now works for the City of San Jose in California. Rommel played tennis, football and track in high school and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University. He not only was a scholar, but he earned a scholarship to play football at ETSU. Dawn played volleyball and basketball in high school and received a basketball scholarship from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Emory University. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia and writes grants and supports statewide college and career success initiatives for low-income students, youth in foster care and other under-resourced students and families. Robert also had two additional sons from his second marriage. His oldest from his second marriage Robert Jr., played tennis in high school and received an Associate’s degree from Denmark Technical College. His youngest son, Austin, played tennis, football and baseball in high school and played football at Coastal Carolina University and earned a Master’s degree from Hampton University.
To Pluto, “excellence was a standard”. It’s been said he was hard on his swimming team members knowing that life would be hard for them later, and he wanted to do all he could to prepare them. He would often tell his swimmers, “Gentlemen, no matter what happens out there today, when it gets tough reach into your back pocket and you need to rise to the occasion.” One of his swimmers shared “I took it to heart and interpreted it as whatever it takes to be number one on that given day is the output needed to win the race.”
Howard Simmons
The view from the lifeguard chair extends well beyond the sight of the pool waters. That’s how Howard Simmons saw it. From that chair, watching the exceptional young swimmers, Howard could see into the future of the next generation of Drew Park Sharks and what he anticipated would be successful lives of the young men and women who swam each day at Drew pool. Like a young Ellis Pearson, Howard felt his eyes granted him the vision to see well beyond the current day. Howard lived in Allen-Benedict Court in one of the many apartments, so walking to Drew pool was a daily, short trek for him. He would arrive early and remain there all day. Howard shared it was truly a good time and a positive experience for everyone. It was an amazing place to grow up and be with friends. Howard shared the pool seemed located on the top of a hill of sorts and that seems to lead to a good metaphor for a “top of the hill” experience. Maybe Howard could see his own future from that hilltop. Howard was actually playing little league baseball when he first became aware of the pool. His eyes and heart would become fixated on those pool waters.
Howard noted that Allen-Benedict Court was a series of apartment buildings with apartments lettered A-Z. There were 26 buildings with 9-12 apartments in each one. He noted that Saxon Homes was a much larger complex, nearly surrounding Drew Park, and the pool was not far from C.A. Johnson High School. He recalls the baseball field being located on the site of the current Drew Recreational Center outdoor walking track. The indoor recreation building was a fun location for playing marbles and other games. A not surprising fact, Howard had a nickname. In his case, it was one of his choosing. Not being assigned a nickname by others, Howard turned to one of his favorite tv shows, “Little Rascals” and selected “Porky”. Clearly, it was as good a nickname selection and probably better than choosing Buckwheat or Alfalfa or Spanky. “Porky” felt the name appropriately fit himself. One of his friends watched Porky eat a flower, petal by petal on the tv series, so “Porky” was asked to do the same to prove he was deserving of the name. Of course, he ate the flower, petal by petal and everyone seemed satisfied he was truly “Porky”.
Howard was 8 or 9 years old when he began swimming. He was born in 1951 and was a self-taught swimmer similar to others the reader has met. Like many of his Shark peers, Howard became a lifeguard and found himself working each summer, even after graduating high school. Howard enrolled at Benedict College after graduating high school. He had his heart set on a life in coaching. He majored in Physical Education only to learn later that few coaching opportunities were offered to PE majors. It was almost a “rule” that schools didn’t fill coaching positions from that major and that was disappointing to Howard to say the least. Howard did find a passion and joy in his life and it speaks strongly to his warm and caring personality. Howard loved working with the mentally challenged students or exceptional students as he referred to them. His first job after Benedict College was with the State of South Carolina as a recreational therapist at an institution for the mentally challenged individuals. He was there for eleven years and fully implemented a physical education program for the participants. So, in a way, he was able to “coach” the students to complete exercise and physical activity to their benefit. One might say his service to that population was more essential and important than any high school athletic team. Fearing little to no upward mobility with that system, Howard enrolled at Midland Tech and received an Associate Degree in computer science and became a programmer. His salary increased but this writer isn’t sure from Howard’s voice that his heart was as full as working with the challenged students. He decided to become a real estate agent and obtained his license to sell real estate. About the same time, Obamacare came along and Howard worked as a “Navigator” signing individuals up for healthcare. Howard’s son was starting a business as a Medicare independent contractor. Howard being a QMRP (Qualified Mentally Retarded Professional) with his educational and work experience background made him an ideal staff member for his son’s company and he transitioned to helping his son as a case manager. He remains employed with his son, but found life returning to that first love of working with mentally challenged individuals and he is so happy, he says, “he would do the work for free.” We’ll keep that point between us. Something Howard definitely wanted shared with the readers is “his absolute relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ of the only true living God, my wife of 50 years, and my twin sons”. This writer is confident that Howard would want it shared that his wife’s name is Barbara. She is originally from Ridgeway. Ryan and Bryan are the twin sons of Howard and Barbara, and Bryan’s wife is Marian.
If the view from the lifeguard chair offered a fantastic vision, just imagine the view from the high dive. Howard shared he enjoyed diving at Drew pool though readily admits, he was not as good a diver as Harvey Dorrah. In the conversation with Harvey, he failed to mention that he was a diver at Benedict College. It was his modesty that prevented him from bragging about his talent. Howard indicated he just couldn’t get that twisting motion going and he really only got to dive once in a meet. Howard said Harvey was a good friend, and that special bond was a signature feature of the Sharks. Howard loved swimming freestyle but said who didn’t love that stroke. Prior to Covid, Howard said he was swimming almost a mile each day at Drew pool. After this conversation, Howard said he needed to get back in the pool. It’s this writer’s “vision” that sees him making that commitment once again.
Mark Harkness
Mark Harkness’ choice of words, as he shared his story, demonstrated he clearly had the ability to understand and share his feelings. In other words, Mark showed an empathy as this writer has not seen a while. Although, the cost to enter the pool as previously discussed was twenty-five cents or fifty cents, for many during this period, that amounted to a considerable daily expense. IMark contemplated how individuals with so little, could afford to visit the pool regularly. For his parents, both teachers and graduates of Allen University, Mark’s mom was able to take advantage of the “summer discount package” by paying for the entire summer when she received her last paycheck of the school year. Mark’s father, a principal, generally worked the summer, teaching summer school classes. Mark’s father also was a realtor. Certainly, the readers are all aware that Sharks like Ellis Pearson mowed lawns for Saxon Homes residents, and, we will recall that “Pluto” Bradley wanted to run errands for the lifeguards to assist with entry funds. Mark shared he worked as a popcorn and peanuts vendor at the Carolina Coliseum to earn money. Mark clearly understood the burden that families endured to give their children such a wonderful opportunity. It could not have been easy growing up in public housing. These stories though have continued to shine a light on the sacrifices made for the children to have such a fantastic opportunity. No one could argue that this community did not thrive on the love, friendships, teamwork, discipline and respect shared by each member.
The reader will remember from his story earlier, that Chris Cochran credited the Harkness family for his daily ride to the Drew pool. Their parents were friends and both families lived in the Highland Park area. Chris had praise and appreciation for the ride with the four Harkness brothers. This is an interview this writer looked with anticipation to conduct. By far, this is the largest family of Sharks that might have existed at Drew. In nature they’d be called various things including a “shiver” or a “gam”, “herd”, “frenzy” or “school”. In real life, they were a family, joining the Drew Park Shark family. Their names are George, Tim, Mark and Richard. Two sisters, Jennifer and Laurie swam, but were not Sharks. George was the oldest and Richard the youngest. Mark was born in 1958. Like most other pool goers, Mark said they generally arrived when the pool opened and remained until 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm. After securing a lifeguard position at the age of 15, remaining until dusk was not unusual. All four Harkness boys became lifeguards. George was five years older than Mark and Tim was three years older. Richard was two years younger than Mark.
The reader has learned a great deal about the roles of the lifeguard position including the fact that the lifeguards taught swimming lessons. Mark shared that generally, the same two or three lifeguards taught the same individuals for the length of her/his beginning lessons. Generally, two lifeguards taught the intermediate classes, and the advanced swimming classes had their lifeguards in the deep end of the pool where they also learned to dive. The lifeguards took pride in watching the development of the individuals he/she taught. Every summer there was a “graduation” and each swimmer who had been taught, participated in a swimming competition. The lifeguards loved cheering on the individuals each had taught to swim during the competition. It was just another reminder of the attention, care, and support that the lifeguards gave the young participants at Drew pool.
Mark shared his favorite swimming event was the 110-yard freestyle and the 55-yard sprint. In reality, Mark was a strong swimmer and was very successful. He shared, he thoughtnot since Lindy Jeffcoat was a faster swimmer than most he remembered at Drew pool.had there really been a faster swimmer at Drew pool. In addition to swimming, Mark was on the wrestling team, bowling team and football team and during high school Mark served as a legislative page. Upon graduation from high school, Mark attended Johnson C. Smith University on a full swimming scholarship. In college Mark swam the 500-yard, the 1650-yard, the 200-yard freestyle, the 200-yard butterfly, and the 400-yard individual medleyover the course of his career.. Mark majored in chemistry at Johnson C. Smith University. Tim and Richard (generally called Kip), also attended Johnson C. Smith University. Tim played football and swam while Kip just swam and played in the band. Tim received an academic scholarship majoring in Business and Computer Science. Oldest brother, George attended Clemson University and majored in Building Construction. Before graduating high school, George was a track star and the South Carolina state champion in the 4x100 yard relay. The institutions they competed against while at Johnson C. Smith were very competitive and many were very strong due to having a large number of athletes from Florida and Georgia. In particular Albany State University and of course, South Carolina State University. Mark said his fellow Shark, Lindy Jeffcoat was one of the best from there.
After graduating from Johnson C. Smith University, Mark accepted a job with Dow Chemical in Texas. He was there for six years. While in Texas, Mark lived near the space center and as he knew Charles Bolden, decided one day to visit him. Mark’s wife had never me Charles. Mark relayed he knew Charles’ brother, Warren, much better, but he wanted to renew that Shark friendship. In 1986, Mark went to work for Varian, a scientific instruments company. He moved to Atlanta in 1995 remaining with Varian. The company was purchased by another company in 2010 and Mark remained with the company until 2015 when he was laid off from the company. He had begun to pastor in 2004 and after being laid off, made the decision to pastor full time. He continues to pastor in Atlanta to this current day.
Mark shared he “owed everything to Drew Park” He repeated “everything” and shared, “it meant the world to me”. The Drew Park pool was Mark’s ticket out of Columbia and it paid for his college education. He shared Drew Park was a great place in the summer. “It was a sight to see on the 4th of July and Labor Day” he said. This is something that’s been repeated a number of times by various former Sharks. Mark said the cafe had the best hamburgers and hot dogs you could find anywhere. Mark stated that, while he was there and as far as he could remember, that in its historyMark said the café had the best hamburgers and hot dogs you could find anywhere. One important feature of Drew pool, and maybe its most relevant, is that in its history, Drew pool has no record of having anyone drown at the pool. That’s a proud record of achievement over the decades the pool was in existence.
Montez Martin, Jr.
This writer isn’t sure if the reader is aware that in nature Sharks make a clicking sound. It was believed for some time that sharks did not have the ability to make any noise and soundlessly glided through the water. Recently though it was discovered that sharks, though they have no vocal cords, make the sound by clicking their flat teeth together. Scientists believe the noise’s purpose is either a stress response or a hunting strategy. The clicking can register to 156 decibels which is equivalent to the noise a cap gun would make upon firing. The writer only shares this fact because Drew Park had a Shark who also made sounds, with his drum. Montez Martin was a drummer in his high school marching band at C.A. Johnson High School. He also served as the band’s drum major for three years. A snare drum has the maximum decibel level of 130. Montez was also a member of his high school newspaper staff and the yearbook committee.
Montez Martin lived his pre-teen years in the Pinehurst Community and later in the Waverly Community of Columbia. Born in 1940, Montez and Jimmie Ruff were classmates and good friends, but Carroll U. Thompson (known as Cut), also a classmate, was his best friend. Small in frame, Montez recalls as a sophomore and junior in high school he was 5’4’’ tall. He liked swimming the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke, his best stroke, though he readily states, that Jimmie and Cut were much better and much faster swimmers. Montez says he swam the 100 and 200-meter butterfly but seldom won a competition in those events. At Hampton University, Montez became a champion swimmer setting Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke. Montez began swimming as soon as Drew pool opened. He lived close enough to walk to the pool each day. It was less than a mile walk. He credits Mr. Thomas S. Martin for how well and how efficiently he ran the pool. Montez says of Tom Martin, “He was instrumental in my life”. He also noted, “It was just a wonderful experience” even if at times, he felt Mr. Martin wouldn’t allow them to breathe. He realized as well, Tom had a great deal of responsibility managing the pool and to ensure the safety for all, he needed to run a pretty tight ship. It is interesting that Tom Martin’s grandfather and Montez’s grandfather were brothers. As one of the earliest lifeguards at Drew pool, Montez shares that again, Tom Martin guided him through the lifeguard process from obtaining his beginner’s lifeguard permit through his senior lifeguard certification. Montez shared that later Moses Hopkins conducted his senior lifeguard exam. Tom Martin would also play a major role in Montez earning money to help pay his college tuition. Tom required the lifeguards to learn how the pool’s filtration system worked. When Montez went to Hampton University, a position was available as a “pool engineer”. The position was advertised for adults and not for students. His sister studying at Duquesne University and Montez needed the position since his parents were already taxed paying tuition for her. Montez met with the supervisor who had little confidence Montez could handle the job. He certainly felt a student could not handle the position nor have any idea of what they were doing. After being taken to the filtration room, Montez quickly discovered the Hampton pool had a fairly similar system just coded differently than the Drew pool. Montez quickly figured out the system and began turning the dials and valves required. Upon being taken upstairs, he checked the chemical levels for the pool. The supervisor was pretty surprised and admitted Montez had been taught well at Drew pool. In addition, he was totally surprised to learn that Drew was a 50-meter, 9-lane pool existing for Black kids in Columbia, South Carolina. One summer the Sharks had a competition in Greenwood, SC though Montez didn’t swim that particular day. When the team returned, all they could talk about was the “bathtub” there they used for competition that day. It was a little 25-yard pool, so it was clear to everyone what a fantastic facility they had at their disposal at Drew pool.
Speaking of parents, Montez’s mom taught cosmetology at Booker T. Washington High School. The school had a trades department for seniors at the high school. She also operated Elise Beauty Salon and later Accent Wigs and Accessories from 1936 – 1987. Montez’s father worked as a Pullman porter during World War II and after the war worked at Sears and Roebuck. He later opened a linoleum and tile shop, Martin’s Linoleum and tile Shop in 1949. In 1962 the shop closed and Montez Sr. began working at Allen University managing the maintenance and grounds. Later that year he moved to Benedict College in the same role and retired from that position in 1977 at the age of 65.
C.A. Johnson High School started a tennis team while Montez was there. He, and several other students attended a tennis clinic at South Carolina State University taught by Victor “Vic” Seixas, an American champion who played in Australia, and had previously won Grand Slam titles including victories at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. Vic instructed Montez and the other members of the team on the backhand, forehand and how to properly serve, among other aspects of the game. Montez indicated he was a much better doubles player than a singles player due to his size. It wasn’t until well after college he finally reached the height of 6’.
Montez graduated from Hampton University in 1963 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant into the Army Corps of Engineers. He spent seven years on active duty and served one year in Vietnam. He had also spent one year in Korea. He was in the Army reserves for twenty-one years. After returning from Vietnam, he was stationed at Fort Belvoir prior to becoming an ROTC instructor (Assistant Professor of Military Science) at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. After leaving the active military Montez worked in Atlanta where he sold commercial time at WSB-TV. In 1973 He left Atlanta for Savannah where he worked as station manager for WSOK am radio. In January, 1974 Montez thought he would begin a migration to California, but didn’t make it out of Georgia. He landed a job at WCBD-TV in Charleston, South Carolina, as a news reporter. He felt the station was “looking for a Black face on TV” and they got one. After about 18 months, Montez was employed by the College of Charleston as the Director of Construction until 1980. While working at the College he became licensed to sell real estate. Later he obtained his Real Estate Broker’s License and opened his Brokerage firm in 1976. The company was sold in 1994. In his spare time, Montez was appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners for Trident Technical College. He served on the board for 19 years. Twice during that time, he was elected to serve as Board Chair. Later, the Governor nominated him to serve on the South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. Colloquially, The Board is known as the Technical Education System. After selling the Real Estate Company, Montez Real Estate, he was hired as the Executive Director of the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Montez is the father of four children, Tanya M. Oube’ Pekel (D), Terrie M. Rayburn (Wendell), Emily-Elise Martin and Montez C. III. He said the lessons he learned at Drew pool were invaluable to him whether he was fathering, leading the 536th Engineer Detachment (Port Construction) in Vietnam, or working as the Assistant Division Engineer of the 2ndInfantry Division in Korea. The lessons of “People are people and treating them with respect and dignity is all they want.” helped him to lead and excel long after Drew pool and Thomas Martin.
Milton Kimpson
With Milton Kimpson, there are so many reoccurring themes from the history of the Sharks, this writer could begin anywhere. Let’s begin with the lessons learned from swimming everyday with peers. Whether building relationships riding in the car traveling to the pool each day, taking lessons from an early age through the various swimming levelsevery summer, to being part of a group of young Black kids going into the water together, Milton epitomizes all that is positive about Drew Park and the Drew Park pool. For Milton, swimming offered life lessons, positive relationships which have endured over the decades, discipline, determination, focus, work ethic and confidence to take on challenges and succeed. From the outset, Milton states, he wasn’t totally sure of his status as to being a full member of the Sharks swim team. He shares his swimming talents left much to be desired, though he follows that statement with the backstroke being his favorite stroke. Why he selected the most difficult stroke as his favorite clearly speaks at some level to his abilities. Milton shared he did not compete often but recalls competing at the end of the summer in the Sharks internal meet. So, one must ask the question? If you work at learning to swim and can master a difficult stroke, isn’t that experience worthy of being called a Shark? It’s been reported earlier that not all Sharks became lifeguards and were water safety certified, but that alone doesn’t rule out a person being defined as a Shark. This writer played basketball his freshman year of high school. Played is a word used generously, as he recalls maybe only getting into one game the entire season and then it was due to the team being so far ahead, he could do not damage. But, was he a Panther? Of course, he was a Panther. He met the criteria of being a team member playing for his high school, at least for that one year. Though basketball wasn’t this writer’s sport, he held two school records in track and shared a third, with the high and low hurdles and as a member of the school’s mile relay team. The writer was a Panther, just as Milton was a Shark. In high school, Milton played soccer at the YMCA. This is the first for this collection of stories. No one has previously indicated being on any the soccer team. Milton also played the trumpet in the high school band.
Born in Columbia in 1961, Milton’s family did not live far from Drew pool. Though he traveled to the pool most days with his friends, as one family or another took turns driving the kids, on occasion he said they walked from Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park, which was down Farrow Road, not more than a couple of miles from Harden Street. Milton shared his parents were well aware of the importance of swimming and fully supported his efforts. He shares his parents knew if steered in the right direction, anyone could have a better life. Here again is that common denominator shared so often by Sharks. Milton has vivid recollection of passing the various swimming stages from beginner through advanced. Although comfortable swimming in the deep end of the pool, he was terrified of the diving board, and if allowed, he probably would have camped out on the end of the diving board rather than diving off its end, as encouraged by Stanley McIntosh.
Milton’s parents were both educators. His father, a graduate of Benedict College, was a principal at Carver Elementary. Milton recalls that sometimes, he would walk the three blocks to his dad’s office after swimming lessons and ride home with him. Milton’s mom was an elementary teacher and had a degree from Johnson C. Smith, where she knew Thomas Martin. Milton believes his parents’ interest in his swimming was the result of his mom knowing Thomas Martin. Milton said he grew up near Freddie Brandyburg’s home, and was aware of Freddie and Regina, though both were older than him.
After graduating high school, Milton headed to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He knew at some point his two siblings who were six and a half and eight years younger than him would also have college plans. He knew they too would need financial help from his parents, so Milton accepted an ROTC scholarship to help pay for Wofford. He graduated and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was granted an educational delay by the Army in order to attend law school. Following three years in law school at Emory University, Milton was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he spent five years as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, (JAG Corps), the military justice branch of the Army. At the end of his five years, Milton was transferred to Fort Jackson where he continued his work as a judge advocate for two more years. Milton says he enjoyed his eight years in the Army and the reserves, but decided to leave as he was required to spend too many weekends taking correspondence courses to remain a JAG officer. At the same time, Milton was engaged in his private practice and found both too time consuming. He started with Johnson, Toal and Battiste, a full-service law firm which was integrated, and a place many young African Americans began careers either interning or practicing. After working in smaller law firms, he learned the South Carolina Department of Revenue was in need of litigation lawyers so Milton accepted a position which he held for thirteen years. In South Carolina, the State Legislature elects judges and Milton decided to run for a seat at the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, where he served as an Administrative Law Judge for seven years. Thereafter, he was elected to the South Carolina Circuit Court and sworn in to fill an unexpired term July, 2024. In February, 2026, if re-elected, Milton will serve six years beginning on July 1, 2026. Milton and his wife have two daughters.
Milton credits Drew Park pool and the management for instilling the drive to win. He said they learned, that as young African Americans, they too “could do” stuff that would lead to success. Clearly, there’s no better lesson that can be learned, and Milton and all of the other Drew Park Sharks learned that lesson well.
Edwina Fields
With swimming comrades such as Jimmie Ruff, Montez Martin, Virginia Brown and both Brandyburgs there could be no way to impede success. Thus, success is what Edwina Fields found at the Drew Park pool. Edwina moved to Columbia from Summerville, South Carolina when she was eleven in 1951. The family lived near Farrow Road. It was perfect timing for the eleven-year old Edwina, born in 1940, as the Drew Park pool was just opening. Edwina had girl friends who she said already knew how to swim when she began walking with them to Drew Park. They walked frequently until one reached the age of 14, when one was able to get a driver’s license. She enrolled in swimming lessons and was a quick learner. Edwina said she wasn’t sure the “Sharks” was the official name of the swim team early in their history. She recalls they were the Drew Park swim team. The pool for Edwina was something to do in the city and considered the place to go in the afternoons. Edwina had the highest praise for Thomas Martin. That point has been obvious from just about every swimmer who passed through Drew Park. She shared Mr. Martin was so “valuable” to the city and the African American community. He knew how important it was and what it meant to the city. He expected a commitment and as the reader is fully aware, he generally got what he wanted from his swimmers. To Edwina, it was simply a great opportunity to share with her friends, make lasting friendships, to develop skills, and she stated “she loved it”. Something else Edwina loved was swimming the breaststroke and the freestyle in competition and she always felt comfortable swimming whichever leg she was given in a relay race. She was on the bus headed to the swim meet in Jacksonville, Florida when it wrecked. Being committed as the individual team members were, they competed that day. They even performed their after-competition water show. She shared Carroll Thompson burned his foot diving through the ring of fire and let it hang out the window during the drive home. Edwina indicated her mother was on the bus as a chaperone. She said her mom often accompanied the team on trips. Edwina’s mom stayed home early in her children’s lives but she later ran Wilkinson Homes, a Black orphanage in Lexington County, worked at the Bethlehem Center and for the State of South Carolina at the girl’s Reformatory on Broad River Road. She had a degree in Home Economics. Both of Edwina’s parents graduated from South Carolina State University. Her dad was the principal at Waverly Elementary School and he opened W.A. Perry School. He earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan.
Following high school, Edwina attended Talladega College in Alabama. She majored in Biology and Physical Education. During her summers she returned to Drew pool to help teach smaller kids to swim. Edwina said she was not aware there were any female lifeguards during her time at Drew pool. She accepted a teaching job in Chicago after graduation where she remained for four or five years. She returned to Columbia, attended the University of South Carolina and received her Master's Degree. She remained in Columbia in the role of a teacher for three years but she did not like the situation stemming from integration. She planned to visit Occidental College in Los Angeles for one summer to support a friend, but remained in Los Angeles for thirty-six years. She taught and later became an administrator in the Los Angeles School System.
As it has been predominately covered in the recent news of today, Edwina shared she worked for USAID in Namibia, Africa. The U.S Agency for International Development (USIAD) is the principle U.S. agency for administering foreign aid and development assistance. Its primary purpose is to provide assistance to countries experiencing conflict, poverty, or disaster, and to promote democracy and economic growth. USAID also works to advance U.S. interests abroad, including by supporting U.S commercial interests and fostering goodwill. If not enough, Edwina worked over ten years in Korea, visiting the country twice each year on a project with a friend. The reader is well aware by this point, that swimming can take you far. Few realize just how far it can take you.