Winston "Gus" Cooper

TRIBUTE TO GUS COOPER 2 | The Nassau Guardian | Thursday, January 9, 2014 ➘ thenassauguardian.com

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DR. DANIEL JOHNSON, M.P.Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture

It is so hard for a country to say good-bye to a real and true Sporting and Cul-tural Icon like Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper,who was also known as the Godfatherof modern day Junkanoo, and thefounding leader of the world famous“Valley Boys” Junkanoo Group since1958.

Winston Cooper became the Directorof Sports at the Ministry of Youth,Sports and Culture in 1987 and servedfor 20 years. During his tenure, he alsoserved as Administrative Chairman ofthe third, fourth and fifth Bahamas-Games. Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper hasachieved many noteworthy milestonesin Bahamian history. In the areas ofSports and Athletics, Track & Field, Base-ball and Softball, he placed The Ba-hamas on the international map. Heserved as Physical Education Instructorat the Bahamas Teachers College from1967 to 1977.

He was also a founding member andcoach of the Pioneer Sporting Club anda member of the National Track & Fieldteams. He also served as coach at theCommonwealth Games, the Pan Amer-ican Games and the Olympics. Duringthe period of 1972 to 1976, he served asChairman of the Bahamas Amature

Athletic Association (BAAA).Mr. Cooper’s love for The Bahamas

most formative expression of its cul-ture, “Junkanoo”, caused him to formthe “Valley Boys”. The love of Junkanookept him on his toes and he perfectedthe art. Using the creative gifts and tal-ents God gave him, Mr. Cooper broughtto the forefront, 3D costumes, new waysof pasting and design. He instilled inhis group the importance of respect foreach other, discipline, and pride inwhat they created. He was stern, yetgentle and constantly reminded hisgroup that “win, lose or draw, they werethe best”. With this spirit of excellence,the “Valley Boys” has won more paradesthan any other group.

‘Gus’ will always be remembered byBahamians for his stellar contributionto the national development of the Ba-hamas Cultural Gem, the tradition of“Junkanoo”

‘Gus’ Cooper was renowned for hisdance on Bay Street, his creative cos-tume designs, discipline, passion, de-sire to achieve excellence and hisorganizational skills. He will be missed,but he will never be forgotten. We willcontinue to keep him in our hearts.

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth,Sports and Culture, I extend sincerethanks to Mr. Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper andbid farewell to this giant of a man andcultural icon.

May his soul rest in peace.

TRIBUTE TO

Winton ‘Gus’

Cooper

KRYSTEL ROLLEGuardian Staff [email protected]

Winston "Gus" Cooper wore manyhats but he will likely be most remem-bered for the indelible mark he madein the cultural world.

Cooper, who led the Valley Boys for55 years, died at Princess Margaret Hos-pital (PMH) early Saturday.He was 72.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Cul-ture Dr. Daniel Johnson hailed Cooperas the "godfather of modern dayJunkanoo”.

In 1958, Cooper helped form the Val-ley Boys, which has become one of thelargest and most accomplished groupsin Junkanoo. He led his beloved groupfrom then until his death.

Johnson also recognized Cooper forthe part he played in sports develop-ment.

"[He] achieved many noteworthymilestones…the largest of which isthat he was a pioneering sportsman,"Johnson said.

"He served as the CommonwealthGames coach, Pan American Gamescoach, chairman of the BAAAS, but Mr.Cooper's real love was for his countryand its most formative expression ofhis culture, Junkanoo.

"Mr. Cooper brought to the forefrontthe greatest innovations seen inJunkanoo. In its early stages, he in-stilled the disciplined passion thateveryone now sees and knows and thatis a part of the cultural gem that wenow call Gus."

Veteran educator and cultural en-thusiast Arlene Nash-Ferguson said shestill remembers when she met Coopermore than 50 years ago.

They both went to St. John's College."I met him in 1960,” Nash-Ferguson re-called. "By then the Valley Boys was two-years old. I was already enamored withJunkanoo so he was a hero to me."Nash-Ferguson, who was also the

founding secretary of the One FamilyJunkanoo Group, said Cooper helpedpave the way for people from variousbackgrounds to become involved inJunkanoo.

"In 1958 when he started the ValleyBoys, Junkanoo was not consideredwhat people in society did,” she said. "I think he helped to change the wholeperception of Junkanoo. He made itmore acceptable for many segments ofsociety. After he came we saw the socialbarriers begin to come down."

Nash-Ferguson said Cooper’s person-ality propelled Junkanoo to newheights.

“He was so dedicated and so deter-mined,” she said. “He had a wickedsense of humor. He knew how to getthings going. He was a fierce competi-tor…thanks to him Junkanoo will reallynever be the same. His place in historyis secure.”

Nash-Ferguson said Cooper was proofthat, "if you were determined enoughand you believed enough, you could ac-complish a number of things".

Shell Saxons Superstars Leader Percy

“Vola” Francis agreed with Nash-Fergu-son.

He said growing up he watchedCooper form and build the Valley Boys.In fact, Francis said Cooper was one ofthe reasons behind his own entranceinto the Junkanoo world.

Francis, who is 65, said he learned al-most everything he knows aboutJunkanoo from Cooper. “Watching Gus,he really inspired me,” Francis said.

“I always admired him. I said to my-self, if I wanted to get anywhere I had tobe like him. In fact, I grew a beard be-cause of him.

“He had a serious impact on me. Andhe and I grew very close over the years.”Francis said he was 12 when Cooperhelped to form the Valley Boys.

He said he often snuck into the VallyBoys shack to see what they were doing.Francis said that’s where his love forJunkanoo blossomed and his admira-tion for Cooper began.In 1965, after years of watching Cooper,Francis helped form the Saxons.

“Gus was a Junkanoo artist extraor-dinaire and he carried that trend on

until his death,” Francis said. “He isiconic.”

Francis said he hopes the country willproperly recognize Cooper for the con-tributions that he made.

“As a country we need to look at howwe will honor our people,” he said. “Wecan’t afford to let the name of Winston“Gus” Cooper die. His name should liveforever. I think the contribution hemade was the ultimate contribution.”Francis is pushing for a statue ofCooper to be erected and the country’sfirst carnival to be named in his honor.Carnival-like festivals are expected tobegin next year.

“He deserves it,” Francis said.Cooper returned to New Providence onThursday from Jackson Memorial Hos-pital in Florida where he underwentbrain surgery to remove a tumor.

On the day he died, he was expectedto return to his Stapledon Gardenshome.

Cooper’s funeral is scheduled for 10a.m. at Holy Trinity Anglican Church inStapledon Gardens on Saturday.


Remembering the ‘godfather’ of Junkanoo


‘GUS’ COOPER IN ACTION!


Iconic Gus Cooper tried to assist inSports Development to very end

FRED STURRUPNG Columnist/Sales Executive

A whole lot has been said aboutthe iconic Winston “Gus”Cooper since his death last Sat-urday. Throughout this coun-

try and the wider regions of theCaribbean and the Americas they re-member Cooper with high respect.They always will.

Cooper was prolific for sure, as hecombined his God-given skill with pas-sion to become the greatest Junkanooartist of all time. One of his finest attrib-utes was how substantive he was atevery turn. Cooper was the epitome ofthe disciplinarian who operated on the“tough love” perspective. There wassubstance to everything he did. If not,he didn’t do it. Nobody under hischarge was allowed to go half-way orthree quarters-way. They had to go thewhole mile for Cooper.

There was never full agreement withhis decisions. His style rubbed many ofhis associates the wrong way, but no-body was ever able to legitimately ques-tion his conviction to do the best jobthat could be done. While in leader-ship, he anchored successful projectsand eras of prominence in Junkanooand sports.

In the latter years of his involvementin sports however, Cooper was not in aleadership role and he had to relate toa method of operation that caused himto shake his head in frustration onmany occasions.

I refer to his tenure as a sports con-sultant within the Ministry of Youth,Sports and Culture. Cooper returned tothe Ministry of Sports under the firstPerry Christie Progressive Liberal PartyGovernment and continued through aportion of the Hubert Ingraham FreeNational Movement Government.

The focus for Cooper was the newThomas A. Robinson National Stadium.He worked closely with his buddy,Robinson, who left this world just a lit-tle over a year before Cooper. The pe-

riod that Cooper worked with the Min-istry of Sports as consultant, particu-larly the latter part, was perhaps themost challenging of his entire life.

“Fred, I just don’t know. It seems youcan’t get across simple common senseideas to the powers that be,” he oncelamented.

Quite frankly Cooper was like a fishout of water in the environment he hadto function in. Robinson and Cooperwere two great Bahamians, totally puz-zled at times about what was going onaround them.

For instance, there was the timewhen it was pointed out to Robinsonthat absolutely no provision had beenmade for the working media to actuallylook at the proceedings of the competi-tion and at the same time send mate-rial to their respective office bases.

With that sardonic smile that wecame to know so well on his face,Robinson shook his head slowly in ac-knowledgement and said somethinghad to be done. Robinson located anarea in the upper bleachers that wasperfect for the adjustment to takeplace.

Cables and electrical lines could beeasily installed to accommodate themedia, as is the case in other such facil-

ities around theworld. The sug-gestion fell ondeaf ears.Cooper was fullyaware and sup-portive of Robin-s o n ’ ssuggestions.

The first timethe real testcame, duringthe CariftaGames of 2013,the countrycame in for a lotof criticism. Media personnel from in-side and outside of the country blastedthe Bahamas Association of Athletic As-sociations (BAAA) and all others con-nected to the atrocity.

There were other shortcomings that,had Cooper been in a position of clout,the final considerations would havebeen different and palatable. Coopercould be seen often on the inside of thestadium, taking notes.

Although he said very little, Cooperwas well exposed to such facilities andhe brought his background to the tablewith suggestions in accordance withhis experience. The track itself was an

embarrassment to Cooper and Robin-son long before the public got wind ofthe awful circumstances that led to anoverspending of millions of dollars.

Indeed what is going on now to thestadium, to get it ‘just right’ for the In-ternational Association of Athletic Fed-erations (IAAF) to give clearance for theWorld Relays, is amazing. Ironically thetrack was deemed OK for the CariftaGames and the Chris Brown BahamasInvitational. Both events were officiallysanctioned.

Now, the surface that so much moneywas spent on has been removed so thatnew adjustments can be made. We’vecome to this stage, partly, becauseCooper had been relegated to a posi-tion whereby he could not give direc-tives, something he was known to doquite successfully in the past.

Finally, his consultant contract wasnot renewed.

There was a man, who had given somuch that was positive to national de-velopment through sports and culture,who was no longer wanted by the pow-ers at the time. They refused to renewhis contract. They praise him now indeath, but although he wanted his con-tract renewed, it was not.

Winston “Gus” Cooper walked awayfrom the stadium that final time, per-haps not bitter, but disillusioned, andwondering about the changing times,when sound ideas are paid absolutelyno attention to.

To his everlasting credit though, Win-ston “Gus” Cooper tried to the very endto give the best that he had to offer tonational sports development.

The debacle of the stadium today,that will cause taxpayers towards $20million before the IAAF is satisfied thatthe inaugural World Relays can takeplace this coming May 24-25, would notbe if the views of Cooper and otherswere respected.

Rest in peace Gus!

(To respond to this feature, contact FredSturrup at [email protected]).

A

Director of Sports Winston Cooper opening a bowling event. Guardian File Photo

Winston “Gus”Cooper


ALPHEUS FINLAYSON

Our Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper was passedthe baton in track and field and has runhis leg extremely well. While we mournhis passing it is time to celebrate hisgreat contributions to our belovedsport.

Cooper attended St. John's College andwas a founder of the Pioneer's SportingClub in 1960, with Kirk Knowles, DoyleBurrows and Perry Christie, all of theValley before the age of nineteen.

Later he attended Morgan State Uni-versity in Baltimore along with Ba-hamian Track and Field greats ErrolBodie, Hugh Bullard, and Hartley Saun-ders. They have all passed now.

He was the coach of the 1968 OlympicGames in Mexico City where the4x100m relay team of Norris Stubbs,Bernard Nottage, Kevin Johnson, andthe great Tommy Robinson ran a na-tional record of 39.45sec that wouldlast for a quarter of a century.

Gus took over the presidency of theBAAA in 1972 after the Munich OlympicGames and made a bold move to hostthe 1976 Carifta Games. The critics saidthat we did not have the money, the fa-cilities or the athletes to do well.

Gus designed the flag and the logo forthe Games and for the first time anOpening Ceremony was held.

On the evening of Easter Monday dur-ing the closing of the Games not evenstanding room was available at theQueen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

In three short years The Bahamas had

gone from one medal in Port of Spain1973, four in Kingston 1974, eight inBermuda in 1975 to a whopping 27 inNassau in 1976, which placed us in thirdplace behind Jamaica and Bermuda.

Just think of it for a moment. Last yearThe Bahamas won 31 medals at Cariftaat home and many new events hadbeen added since 1976.

A month after those Games Gus gaveup the presidency but continued his in-volvement in our beloved sportthrough the Bahamas Association ofAthletic Officials, BACO.

In 1978 he became the first Director ofSports and in this position he contin-ued his outstanding contributions tosports in the country. He served in thatposition for nearly 25 years, the longestserving Director in the Public Service.

A memorial will be held this Thursdayat Rawson Square at 10pm and you areencouraged to attend.

Much credit needs to be given to hiswife Cassie, who through it all stood byhim through thick and thin, even withthe loss of their son Anthony the daybefore Gus' 72nd birthday in October.

Let's continue to pray for her and herfamily.

Please read the column Small CountryGreat Athletes in today's Guardian onGus and listen to Track World withAlpheus Finlayson at 6:30pm thisevening on Guardian Radio 96.9FM.You can also get it on cable channel 969or on the internet atwww.guardiantalkradio.com. — withIda Regena and 28

A race well run forWinston

‘Gus’ Cooper


Winston Cooper - Father of CariftaGames movement in The BahamasFRED STURRUPNG Columnist/Sales Executive

he last three winners of theMost Outstanding Athlete(Austin Sealey) Award at theCarifta Games have been Ba-

hamians.The fleet sprinter Anthonique Stra-

chan won the award in 2011 and 2012.Last year, Shaunae Miller was the bestof the region. Both of them werenowhere in existence when the firstCarifta Games was hosted in The Ba-hamas back in 1976. Accordingly theywere not familiar with the activities putin motion by Winston “Gus” Cooperthat led to him being widely acceptedas the Father of the Carifta Games inThe Bahamas.

Cooper produced the logo for thebiggest junior track and field competi-tion in CARICOM nations. It was a won-derful time and a different socialculture. It was a time when Cooperdemonstrated that true leadership in-cludes delegating responsibilities andnot micro managing.

Cooper was president of the BahamasAmateur Athletic Association (now As-sociation of Athletic Associations). Heselected Dr. Bernard Nottage to be thechairman of the 1976 Carifta Games Or-ganizing Committee and never inter-fered. He allowed Dr. Nottage to do hisjob and what an excellent event wascrafted!

Those associated with that initial sub-stantive Carifta movement in The Ba-hamas would recall the zeal of Dr.Nottage and his associates as theybroke new ground. There was a partic-ular meeting held at the home of Eu-nice Rodgers on West Bay St. It all cametogether on that occasion and therewas full confidence in all and sundrythat something very special was aboutto happen.

The portfolio handed to Dr. Nottageby Cooper enabled a new dimension inCaribbean sports leadership to unfold.Dr. Nottage and his trusted Man Friday,

Livingstone Bostwick went on to be-come the finest sports administrativeduo in the region. This developmentwas possible because Cooper gavethem latitude during that first CariftaGames competition in The Bahamasand allowed them to grow.

This was an aspect of Cooper oftenunderappreciated.

Because he was such a strong leaderand somewhat arrogant in his bearing,it seemed unlikely that he would en-trust any other with attaining the endresult he wanted. But obviously, heknew when to “just leave people” alone.During an interview many years ago,the subject of his strong character butwillingness nevertheless to outsourceresponsibilities came up.

Cooper said very simply: “When I amsure people can do what they are askedto, I just leave them alone.” This was in-deed an element of Cooper that accen-tuated his leadership capacity. Thesports landscape in the country ismuch better off today because ofCooper.

As mighty as he has been as aJunkanoo specialist, it can be arguedthat his contributions in sports devel-opment were comparable. Some wouldpresent the view that he was a biggersports icon.

There is merit when one factors in hisrole in the formation of the fabled Pio-neers Sporting Club, his tenure as pres-ident of the BAAA, his status as the firstNational Sports Director and his stintas sports consultant.

Such a unique set of situations forcomparison certainly speaks loudly tothe manner of man Winston “Gus”Cooper was.

As the Father of the Carifta Games inThe Bahamas, he ushered in a memo-rable segment of Bahamian life. TheCarifta Games of 1976 and thereafterhave brought much glory to Bahamianathletes and their supporters at home.Because of the guidance of Cooper, Dr.Nottage, Bostwick and others emergedas big-time regional sports leaders. Dr.Nottage succeeded Cooper as presidentof the BAAA.

For thefirst time,junior ath-letes of TheBahamas be-came house-hold nameswith regular-ity.

Yes, largelybecause ofthe Father ofThe CariftaGames, a com-petitive ath-letic forumwas ce-mented thatunveiled elitejunior track and field athletes. I refer toyoung stalwarts such as Rickey Moxey,Winston Strachan, Ricardo Light-

bourne, Steve Hanna, Bradley Cooper,Shonel Ferguson, Linda Woodside, LucyRussell, Colin Thompson, Elmer Smith,Beryl Bethel and Eunice Greene.

They came out of that 1976 crop thatpaved the way for an abundance of suc-cessful Carifta performances by otherBahamians in years to come.

At that special moment in time, theCarifta Games in The Bahamas waspresided over by the chief mentor, Win-ston “Gus” Cooper.

Forever, despite all the other ac-knowledgements, he will be known asthe Father of the Carifta Games in TheBahamas.

Winston “Gus” Cooper is gone butnever to be forgotten.

(To respond to this feature, contact FredSturrup at [email protected]).

T

Director of Sports Winston Cooper hitting the first ball at a tennis event. Guardian File Photo

Winston Gus Cooper,the Bahamas Ama-teur Athletic Associa-tion Presidentduring the 1970s

Guardian File Photo


‘GUS’ COOPER AND THE VALLEY BOYS


NEW KING - Leader ofthe Shell Saxons Superstars Percy‘Vola” Francis,crowned Winston‘Gus’ Cooper the 1993King of Junkanoo,during the 13th An-nual JunkanooAwards held at theKing and KnightsClub, Nassau Beach Hotel.

TO THE RESCUE - Owner of the Nassau Marriot Resort and Crystal PalaceCasino, Phil Ruffin, commits himself to the sponsorship of the Valley BoysJunkanoo group. On hand for the check presentation from left: RobertSands, VP Operations at Nassau Marriott; Campbell Cleare, Valley executive;Gary Christie, Valley executive; Gus Cooper, Valley leader; Phil Ruffin, NassauMarriott owner; Ricardo Treco, Valley fundraising chairman; and Scott Cor-nelius.

Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper,performing at aJunkanoo Parade.

BRADLEY B. ROBERTSNational ChairmanProgressive Liberal Party

I was deeply saddened to learn of thepassing of Junkanoo impresario andCultural and sports icon Winston 'Gus'Cooper.

One of the founding members of theValley Boys Junkanoo Group along withPrime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G.Christie in 1958, Gus played a signifi-cant role in the transformation ofJunkanoo into a major tourism attrac-tion of world renown, a yearround cul-tural event and a local commercialindustry.

Junkanoo is regarded internationallyas The Bahamas' premier cultural ex-pression and is used extensively in ourglobal tourism and travel marketingcampaign. Additionally, Junkanoo is anentertainment staple in virtually everylocal event. It is customary in The Ba-hamas for many events to culminate inthe traditional "JUNKANOO RUSH OUT."Gus' influences on the growth and de-velopment of The Bahamas, especiallythrough cultural embellishment andintegration are indelible and pervasive.I first met Gus in the late 1960s when weattended the Eastern Senior Schoolwhich was Headed by his brother-in-law Donald Webster Davis. Fellow class-mates included Prime Minister the Rt.Hon. Perry G. Christie and AngelaKnowles Achara.

Gus' general mild mannered de-

meanor belied his fiercely competitivenature when it came to Junkanoo andhis Valley Boys. Winners of numerousJunkanoo parades, the perennial ri-valry between the Valley Boys and theSaxons Superstars during the BoxingDay and New Year's Junkanoo paradesis legendary and establishes friendlybragging rights for the rest of the year.Yes, Gus' fingerprints and footprints onthe cultural identity of The Bahamaswill stand as a memorial to future gen-erations of a giant who will forever casta shadow over The Bahamas within theprecincts of cultural development.

Several months after his retirementfrom the Public Service, Gus called totell me that he was bored and wishedto be re-engaged to remain active. Hechose the Bahamas Telecommunica-tions Telephone Directory.

The double victory of the Christmas2013 and New Year’s 2014 Junkanoo pa-rades by Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper's ValleyBoys was a most fitting send off to oneof The Bahamas' finest sons and Na-tional Heroes.

You have run the good race Gus; youstayed the course and you were faithfulto the end. Take your well deserved restmy brother and receive your just re-ward.

On behalf of the Office of NationalChairman of the Progressive LiberalParty, I extend profound condolencesto his wife Cassandra, the children,grandchildren, siblings, the Valley BoysFamily, the entire Junkanoo Commu-nity and other members of the family.

May his soul rest in peace.

‘A NationalHero’

Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper


CELEBRATION TIME - Valley Boys have something to cheer about. They areWinston “Gus” Cooper (left) and Paul Knowles of the Valley captured boththe overall prize and the best costumes award in the Boxing Day JunkanooParade held in downtown Nassau in December 1989.

SHOWTIME!

DR. HUBERT A. MINNISLeader of the Free National Movement

Leader of The Opposition and Mem-ber of Parliament for Killarney, Hon. Dr.Hubert A. Minnis, extends condolenceson behalf of The Free National Move-ment, supporters and Bahamians tothe Valley Boys Junkanoo Group andThe Cooper family on the passing ofWinton "Gus" Copper.

The Free National Movement joins

the nation in mourning the loss of acultural icon, Winston "Gus" Cooper, co-founder of the Valley Boys Junkanoogroup in 1958. "Gus" dedicated his lifeto culture and assisted in the explosivegrowth that we see today in Junkanoo.

To the Cooper family, please knowthat you are in our prayers. May God bewith you during this very difficult time.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.There will be no more death or mourningor crying or pain, for the old order of thingshas passed away." Revelation 21:4

‘A Cultural Icon’WINSTON

‘GUS’ COOPER


DOYLE BURROWS

Gus Cooper was a gentleman that Ihave known for the last 60-plus years.We were childhood friends and both at-tended St George’s Church as children.We were involved with the PioneersSporting Club from its inception. Wewere some of the founding members,Gus Cooper, Perry Christie and myself,along with my brother Dyansa Burrowsand Kirk Knowles.

Gus Cooper wanted to start a trackclub and we wanted to call it the Nas-sau Reds because all of us were red incolor. Fellas like Hugh Bullard, who wasdark and wanted to be a part of theclub, but that color thing, that redthing they could not go along withthat.

But before that, in 1958, Gus decidedthat we should rush with a group in1957 with Edward Fitzgerald and his fa-ther, in Bain Town. He charged 3pounds 10 to fringe a costume and thecostume was not up to scratch, and atthat time Gus made a vow that hewould never rush with any group any-more because as a young boy he coulddo better work than they gave us. Andbasically he, along with people likeGippy Pinder, Geoffrey Eneas andFreddy Fountain, decided in 1958 that agroup of friends go out as a Junkanoogroup.

At that time I was involved with an-other Junkanoo group SpurgeonSmith’s Junkanoo group, so I told themthat I was unable to rush but seeingthat I had a couple of years under my

belt I would assist them with gettingtheir costumes to Bay Street.

So I was around from 1958, 55 years,along with Gus Cooper. Gus Cooperwas the artist and I was basically theconstruction person. I did all the struc-tural work for the Valley Boys in mostof the years with the lead pieces, andthe dances. In the beginning I fringedthe first costume for Gus because hehad a lot of persons that could notfringe, so we came up with the designfor the first costume. I was basicallyfringing so we could have a pattern thatthe others could follow. Gus has beenmy friend and my family friend. He isthe godfather of my oldest son, who isnow 46. I am also the godparent of hissecond son. His second boy, Francisco,who is also involved with Junkanoo we,used to call him Gus Jr. Of his four orfive sons he has the one who followedin his footsteps. To me, he is more thana Junkanoo person. He has been myfriend, my family friend. We are not justJunkanoo people. His family is my fam-ily.

When he was in the U.S., myself,Arthur Gibson and Keith Gibson visitedGus on several occasions. We were withhim the day he left for Miami, on July10th. We all visited him at the hospital.

When I got the call from his son at 3o’clock on Saturday, I was in Freeportyou know as soon as I saw the message.I knew what happened. It hit not onlythe Valley Boys but all of his friends.

So many of us were friends fromchildhood like Perry Christie Dr.William Thompson all of us have beenchildhood friends, Campbell Cleare.

Some of us were hoping for the best butwe were afraid for him all along. Like alot of people say, the Lord knows bestrather than let him suffer any longer. Aswe speak now we are preparing for hisHome Going, the celebration we aregoing to have on Bay Street Thursdaynight. And we are also preparing hiscortege for Saturday. We are going toput him down in Gus Cooper Junkanoostyle.

We are cutting no corners for this cel-ebration. He would have done it for usand we are going to do the same thingfor him. He was a fella. He was a life-long friend. He is a Valley Boy. He is areal Valley Boy. He was affectionate.Everything he did. He and I worked to-gether in Sports for 20 years. WhenMinistry of Youth and Sports was look-ing for a director I was the person whotold him that if he was interested in thejob he should apply. He applied andwas successful in getting the job. Beforethat he was a lecturer at the Teacher’sCollege for Physical Education. He wasin charge of the department. Heworked at that department for manyyears.

He and I also go back into sportswhere we were team members on Trackteams. In 1968, he was the coach of theOlympic team in Mexico and I was theManager. He will be missed. He mighthave gotten his wish. For years he wassaying when he “get” two he wanted togo out in style. He wasn’t here in bodybut I hope he realized that he got hiswish before he departed this earth.‘Two Straight.’

MY BEST FRIEND...



Gus Cooper: A great Bahamian artist and friend

STAN BURNSIDE

us Cooper is one of the greatestBahamian artists who everlived and is The Father of Mod-ern Day Junkanoo. A natural

born Renaissance man, he had remark-able gifts in costume design and con-struction, theatre, parade strategy,production, group management, ad-ministration, etc.

Those are just a few of the skills re-quired of a Junkanoo Leader. JunkanooLeaders are Masters of The Universeand Gus was a pioneer in this group.

There is no event in The Bahamas thathas the impact of the Junkanoo pa-rades on Bay Street and Gus has beenthe star of some of the most memo-rable moments ever in this tradition.After all, Gus’ Mandela was releasedfrom prison in Rawson Square even be-fore the real Mandela was. And who can

forget Gus as Sitting Bull dancing to theJunkanoo version of “Buffalo Soldier?”These are just two of the many mo-ments that capture the spirit of who weare as a people – the freedom, thedrama, the energy, the sharing, thelove. And we all feel like we know Gusas a result of these performances.

It has become obvious that the bestJunkanoo artists are among the bestfine artists in this country, and GusCooper is one of the main causes of thischange of attitude. My brother, Jacksonand I often talked about returninghome after college and being equally asexcited by the Junkanoo art form as wewere by what we saw in the galleries.Gus Cooper played a major role in this.

Gus was such a complex personality.He had this stern countenance and se-rious expression on his face, always.And some people used to say that henever smiled. I feel so fortunate to haveseen the side of Gus that endeared somany people to him. Gus was a hu-

mourous, gregarious prankster, wholoved teasing and having fun and hewas always center-stage in theJunkanoo shack.

I can remember one funny story thatGus and I always laughed about. In theearly days of One Family, when we weregetting beat badly, and the Valley Boyswere enjoying a streak of wins, therewas a young man who was alwaystelling me that One Family had beenrobbed and that Gus and the Valleywere getting away with murder. Hewould tell me to tell Jackson and theboys not to be discouraged because wewould have to keep our chin up and goback at ‘em. He seemed like such astrong One Family supporter. Well, oneday I was with Gus and this young mancame up to us and I introduced him toGus, “Hello, this is Mr. Cooper.” And theyoung man’s eyes plopped wide openas he gushed, “Oh Mr. Cooper! Youknow, I always wanted to be a Valley.” SoI said, “How you could talk like that,man? You supposed to be with us.” Towhich the young man replied, “Ohcome on man, Stan. You know all a weis One Family.” Gus seemed to be able toput people under his spell and he wasalways recruiting for the Valley.

Gus was also very competitive. I re-member one very talented artist wholeft the Valley to come to One Family.Gus told me not to accept this artistinto One Family because the artist hadbeen to two Junkanoo groups before us

and we needed to come together asgroups and decide that we wouldn’tallow artists to go from group to grouplike that. The very next year, the artistwent back to the Valley and when I sawGus I said, “Gus, I thought you told methat we shouldn’t accept this fella. Whydid you accept him?” Gus only brokeout laughing.

Please understand that you never sawthis playful side of Gus until the workwas almost complete. He, along withhis partner-in-crime, Doyle Burrows,were disciplined and serious drill-sergeants. And it was this insistence ona good workethic and a constant striv-ing for perfection that was and is so ob-vious to all Junkanoo-goers on BayStreet.

Everybody in the Junkanoo worldknows that on any given morning, theValley Boys are going to be at their best.Gus has expertly groomed his group,who will continue to be fierce competi-tors on Bay Street - giving those of usnon-Valley members a run for ourmoney and making him proud.

I am honored to have collaboratedwith him on many projects and havelearned so much from him. As an artistwho loves great Bahamian art, I cele-brate this great Bahamian Master. I amgoing to miss his significant and con-sistent contributions. But I am going tomiss him even more as a good and loyalfriend, and I will cherish his memoryforever.

G

Winston “Gus” Cooper, Al Collie, Stan Burnside and Ronald Simms


A LOOK BACK WITH ‘GUS’ COOPER

In 1991 Winston Cooper, pictured, portraying the “freedom fighter” ofSouth Africa, Nelson Mandela.

MARTIN LUNDY, Former Director of Sports

Anthropologists agree the notionthat the survival of any culture residesin the capacity of its people to cherishthat which it has produced, using suchindigenous commodities, human aswell as capital, to construct positivepatterns of living permanently alluringto successive generations of its citi-zenry.

Some centuries earlier, Cicero theo-rized that expressing gratitude is notonly the greatest of the seven heavenlyvirtues, it ought be regarded as the par-ent of them all, dominating theprovince of all that is noble about anyenlightened and progressive society.

Undoubtedly, these twin notionsfound best intersection in the life of mymentor, Gus Cooper, the first Directorof Sports who easily qualifies as one ofthe most transformative treasures inBahamian sport, fully deserving of a na-tion’s gratitude and adulation.

As one of three strong candidateswho applied for the post of Director ofSports after Senator Kendal W. Nottagebecame the first Minister of Sports in1978, Gus’s unique credentials earnedhim that seminal post.

He was largely tasked with the ad-ministration and development of whatwas an original 512.92 acres of Crownlands and wetlands granted by Order ofthe Legislative Council in 1956 for thepurposes of National Sports Develop-ment.

He assumed such a task with meas-ured fanaticism fueled by a passionateminister conscious of the cosmic real-ity that Sports Center land was scarcelyenough to accommodate the longterms needs of the national sportingcommunity, given that 75 percent of itsoriginal acreage had already been de-voured by other government agencies.

The new minister therefore placed apremium on protecting Sports Centerland, having already been well sized ofone proposal to develop a new publichospital at the Sports Center and an-other to relocate the Hobby Horse Race

Track there.

Buttressed bythe fierce loyaltyof his faithfulliege, Doyle Bur-rows, and his un-relenting fidelityto the Sports

Power philosophy loudly espoused byhis indomitable minister, Gus pro-tected the Sports Center as a nationalsports preserve, shepherding the rede-velopment and naming of the ThomasA. Robinson National track and FieldStadium which first opened in 1968; theimproved Andre Rodgers NationalBaseball Stadium which opened in1967; the reconstructed South BeachPools in 1983; the Blue Hills SoftballComplex in 1984; the Churchill TenerKnowles National Softball Stadium, in1988; the Kendal G. L. Isaacs NationalGymnasium, in 1994; and the NationalLawn Tennis Center, in 1998.

Not so well known is the pivotal roleof advocacy he played in defendingBetty Kelly Kenning’s inclination tobuild the National Swim Complex atthe Sports Center, in opposition to lob-byists who wanted it built elsewhere.The Swim Complex opened at theSports Center in 2001. Gus also spear-headed the development of the GrandBahama Sports Complex in 1995.

Indeed, these historic accomplish-ments by Gus were not without theirchallenges as he was compelled to en-counter a number of so called JoshuaGeneration Ministers, all devoid of thegenuine altruism found in the hearts ofmen and women dogmatically con-victed to the precepts of Sports Power.

One such Joshua Generation sportsminister perceived land dedicated tosports development as more useful forhousing or food production. Hence,the use of Sports Center land for the de-velopment of Millennium Gardens.Minister Neville Wisdom rejected suchan uninformed proposition when heinterrupted the plans of zealots in theMinistry of Housing for further incur-sion into the Sports Center. Also, Prime

Minister Hubert Ingraham intervenedto abort plans for a new law school atthe Sports Center, further instructingthat the remaining 90 acres of SportsCenter property must be reserved forsports facilities. Those responsible forthe current Sports Center Master Planapparently had difficulty with such in-structions.

Gus’ larger contribution to nationalsports development was his introduc-tion of enlightened thought to localsports administration. He insistedupon an end to the prevailing jocko-cratic syndrome which permeated themisperception of athletes as beingphysically gifted but intellectually defi-cient.

His insistence upon scholarship en-hanced the human capital of the SportsDivision to the extent that sports offi-cers and federation executives were fig-uratively transported from the dust ofthe playing field to the atmospherics ofscientific planning. He oversaw the es-tablishment of high powered sportsseminars and sports leaders conclavesfeaturing expert national and interna-tional speakers thereby elevating theorganizational and management ca-pacity of local sports leaders, physicaleducation teachers, school coaches andFamily Island sports council executives.The scholarship which he brought tosports translated into the kind of na-tional and international sporting suc-cesses heretofore unmatched in theannals of Bahamian sport.

Here it is just as important to recallthat Gus succeeded in winning the sup-port of Minister Algernon Allen in histen years of battle to rationalize a ca-reer path for sports officers while at thesame time addressing salary anomaliestraditionally suffered not only bysports officers but also by officers in theyouth division and those serving in theDepartment of Culture. All these offi-cers had academic credentials andwork experiences similar to that ofother professionals in the Public Serv-ice, in spite of which they were rated infar lower salary scales.

The unintended consequence of suchan anomaly was difficulty in retainingand replacing competent Officers. Min-ister Algernon Allen took up Gus’s fightand as a result Youth, Sports and Cul-ture Officers were incremented andplaced in more appropriate SalaryScales. In the ecology of local public in-stitutions, the entire Ministry of YouthSports & Culture benefitted at thehands of Gus Cooper yet that agency re-mains unchallenged as the most un-grateful of all public agencies to themen and women who bled it into exis-tence.

Here it is appropriate to contrastsuch an assertion with Gus’ personalappreciation of his sports heritage andthe traditions that shaped him. Heavidly supported and contributed to aprogram initiated by MinisterDesmond Bannister to have ArleneNash-Ferguson write an entire series ofprimary school books that lionized thelives and achievements of members ofthe National Hall of Fame. Gus was ex-tremely pleased with Nash Ferguson’sfirst completion, a wonderful effort onTommy Robinson meriting Nobel Prizeconsideration. He was most discon-certed that she was discouraged fromcontinuance of such a nationally re-deeming exercise.

As an intellectual descendent and ad-ministrative heir to one of the most ac-complished sports administrators tograce these islands and the widerCaribbean region then, some of us dis-ciples are simply grateful to have sat atthe feet of greatness and to have beenexposed to the threads of legacy andthe beads of national pride deeply en-sconced in the soul of this country’sfirst Director of Sports.

Indeed, his great deeds will be hisperpetual monument and his eternalrest in the bright light of peace hasbeen so very well deserved. The RightHand of God will continue to rest uponthe foreheads of Cassie, Cisco and Au-gustus.


An acestral tribute to Director of Sports


Martin Lundy

Pictured from left:Livingston Bost-wick, WinstonCooper, PerryChristie andBernard Nottage

Winston "Gus" Cooper

Documents

Transcript of Winston "Gus" Cooper