Sunday, October 31, 2021, will be the dawn of something special at the Armory, home of the best indoor track and field meetings in New York.
Not only will it be the first organized meet at The Armory since the pandemic forced the stoppage of meets in the winter of 2020, but it is also the debut commentary performance of the versatile Sean Phillips.
Who is Sean Phillips? Let us find out. Phillips was born in Jamaica, a country passionate about track and field and which has produced several Olympic champions such as – Donald Quarrie, Deon Hemmings, Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Phillips grew up in Willowdene, St. Catherine, before migrating to Clarendon, where he attended Vere Technical High, a school renowned for its long history of athletic and football achievements. Phillips distinguished himself as an all-around athlete representing Vere in Dacosta Cup football as a goalkeeper and competed at the prestigious Boys Athletics Championships during the period 1985 -1988.
Phillips specialized in the 400m and 800m and competed with Champs stalwarts such as Mark Jones and Sherwin Burgess on a crack 4x800m relay team.
After high school, Phillips pursued a double major degree in Education and Physical Education at the G.C Foster College before migrating to the United States in 1991, where he felt opportunities for him to further advance himself in life would be greater than in Jamaica. He went into private investigation and was quite successful.
In 1996, he ventured into coaching and, quite rightly so, started with his own daughter, who had joined the Metro Eagles Track Club in Queens, New York.
Soon, Phillips started his own track club Awesome Power Track Club, in 2004. His main motto is ‘No pain, no gain’ and all his athletes are encouraged to balance schoolwork with athletics to stand a great chance in life.
Phillips honed his commentary skills at small development meets with his distinct and descriptive style, which received great feedback from the athletes and fans. He is looking forward to bringing his talent and passion to the Armory, where he hopes to entertain and inform the knowledgeable crowds.
