NFA’s Felicia Hodges Honored, With 15 Others

By Jennifer L. Warren

MIDDLETOWN – Felicia Hodges claims to not do two things well: possess athletic talent and speak in front of others. The 1984 Newburgh Free Academy graduate, who earned high school All-American honorable mention in the high jump as well as six time all American accolades at Temple University, certainly had many fooled Saturday night.

Hodges was one of 14 Section IX track and field athletes and one team who composed the inaugural Hall of Fame class. Still holding the NFA female high jump record of 5’7” as well as Temple’s at 6’2,” Hodges placed seventh at the US Olympic Trials. Possessing a strong passion for the sport she lovingly refers to as “an amazing friend,” Hodges was quick to cite the solid parental and coaching foundation that laid the groundwork for her success.

“No one really accomplishes things without great support,” said Hodges. “I had amazing coaches; Coach Tom Franklin introduced me to the sport at NFA, my college coach, George Horne, got me to see the importance of dedication, and after college, Benn Fields (also an inductee), showed me the technical aspects.”

And it was her parents who provided even further special fuel. Smiling, Hodges reflected upon her father’s attempts to build a high jump pit in their back yard. Her mother too was priceless, attending every single one of her meets, meticulously recording a scrapbook of her feats, as well as encouraging all of the members of her teams.

“She is most definitely missed,” said Hodges about her late mother, as she went on to speak about the profound, positive influence the sport of track and field has had and continues to have on her life today. In fact, in addition to her full-time gig as a public relations specialist/publicist for her Tigerly Communications Company, she is also a Southern Catskill Track & Field official, giving back to the sport that helped shape who she is today.

It’s that influence that brought together Saturday night’s crowd at Kuhl’s Highland House in Middletown. After years of tossing around the idea of having a Section IX Track & Field Hall of Fame, a committed group of nine, led by NFA Boys Track and Field Coach, Malcolm Burks, finally prevailed. Diligently meeting and planning for about 18 months, the contingent was able to turn the vision many had in the sport of a Hall of Fame into a reality. The result was a powerhouse room full of talent, spanning close to 70 years with the induction of the 1950 Monticello Boys Cross Country Team. Also among the 2017 Class was 1986 Monroe Woodbury graduate and iconic distance runner, John Trautman. The winner of the 1992 US Olympic Trials at 5000 meters, Trautman is the owner of numerous high school and college records as well as the Masters one mile for age 45-49. His old Monroe Woodbury teammate and good friend, Chuck Sommerlad, introduced the local legend.

“God gave talent to someone who deserved it,” affirmed Sommerlad. “John then took that gift and worked very, very hard to accomplish everything that he did.”

Throughout the evening, both inductees and those who introduced them, uttered telling remarks about the life-changing effects the sport of cross country and/or track and field has had. Some saw it as a salvation; others a friend, and still others, a way out of some dark places. For youngest inductee, Warwick’s distance runner, Aislinn Ryan, it was still something more.

“Running makes me feel whole,” said a teary-eyed Ryan, who continues to follow her passion for the sport as a middle school coach. “At 28, I am still motivated to do more with it, especially after hearing some of the stories here tonight.”

In addition to Hodges, Fields, Trautman, Ryan, and the 1950 Monticello Boys Cross Country Team, other Friends of Section IX Track & Field Hall of Fame’s Inaugural Class included; Curt Alitz, Tracey Armstead, Carrie Gorton, Dennis Gurrant, Coach Lou Hall, Russ Hodge, Coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro, Kate Landau, and Official Mary Onken.

For Hodges high jumping and the sport of track and field has not just been “an amazing friend,” but a place she honed her work ethic, dedication and craft to a level rivaled by few, according to her Temple University Coach, Horne. First detecting Hodges talents when she was a junior at NFA at a track and field camp, the now veteran 41 year coach immediately knew he had found something special, not solely for her physical attributes, a tall, lean, wiry frame, but in something much more priceless, “uncoachable” even.

“She had all the attributes to be a great jumper, but had to work really hard to put it all together, and that’s exactly what she did; I’ve never coached an athlete who worked so incredibly hard, was so dedicated to improve, and would not miss a practice at all costs.”

Horne went on to reveal the fruits of all those weightlifting and extra, late night sprint repeats and  jumping hours, even an unscheduled trip to Villanova’s track complex when Temple’s high jump pit was unavailable: one of the best approaches to the bar he has ever seen.

Perhaps even more impressive, not one loss in her multiple jump-offs (results of ties in the sport); somehow, she was able to dig deep, and always rise above with the victory.

“She’s probably one of the most special athletes I have ever coached,” reflected Horne. “The athletes on my teams still talk about her, and I’m   fortunate to be filled with so many great memories about her to reflect upon, as both an athlete and a person.”