Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2020

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Reggie Dobard Sr. COPYRIGHTED I enjoy working with young people and I try to give them skills that will make their lives better. 94 | january 2020 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
egulars | city people by diane feen | Photo by Melissa korman A Delray Treasure Reggie Dobard Sr. is a beacon of light in a constellation of stars made up of those who walk beside him. His history is legend and his work in the Delray Beach School system and at Pompey Park are like a warm blanket that wraps around Delray. To an outsider the name Reggie Dobard may not ring a bell, but to those who have grown up in Delray Beach it’s as melodious as a choir. “Reggie is a modern-day hero. He’s a phenomenal person who has always been there with open arms for me and the entire community at large. He embraces everyone,” said his Godson Patrick Glover. Glover has a point. Reggie has been an emotional and physical safety net for everyone – young and old. He taught Physical Education, drivers training and was a basketball coach at Atlantic High School for over 37 years. After retiring from teaching he went back to his home away from home – Pompey Park. Pompey Park is where Dobard spent his youth playing sports and where he learned to swim. It was called Teen Town Center then, but to Dobard it was the center of his gravity. He was also quite close to Mrs. Pompey, who played a pivotal role in his life. Not only were they neighbors, but Mrs. Pompey was the librarian at his school and Mr. Pompey was the civics teacher and football coach. “At Carver I would help out in the library by putting books back on the shelf. My friends would tease me, but I was close to Mrs. Pompey. She brought culture to the Park; I was in her plays and she taught me to crochet.” Reggie could handle the pokes and jokes about his library prowess. That’s because he was 6-foot-5-inches tall and a star basketball and football player at Carver High School. He was not only inducted into the National Negro Basketball Hall of Fame but also named All- American Basketball Player. Reggie left Delray Beach to attend Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona. But he never lost sight of Pompey Park. During summer breaks he was the Pompey Park lifeguard and a Parks and Recreation Supervisor. Reggie’s love affair with mentoring and coaching kids at Pompey Park continued while he was teaching (after school) and after he retired. In 2015 the City of Delray Parks and Recreation presented him with a proclamation for his 50 years of service. In 2017 they named the gymnasium basketball court at Pompey Park after him for recognition and appreciation of his service. And boy does he serve. It’s been 55 years now and Reggie’s influence can be seen on every footprint and smile around Pompey Park. To some he was the consummate coach, mentor, swim teacher and disciplinarian – but he sealed in their respect with unconditional love and support. He has 10 biological children, but senior club leader La Tonia doesn’t agree. “Reggie has more than 10 kids. Every kid that walks in the front and back door belongs to him. He’s the history to this building and the community. He’s known from Maine to Spain.” That’s for sure. Reggie has been a surrogate father to generations of children in Delray Beach. And after 55 years at Pompey Park, he’s not ready to give up that moniker. His title is still a supervisory one, and his duties include making sure the field is cut, cured, marked and ready for games and processions, but that’s not his unofficial title. That would be Goodwill Ambassador and godfather to the entire community. His door at Pompey Park is always open and young children frequently pop in to say ‘hello’ or have a friendly chat. “Reggie is a living legend. He has an amazing knowledge of Delray and I can talk to him about anything. He listens and gives advice. I’ve never met anyone like him. People come to him for advice – his door is always open if you need to talk,” said Prentice Mobley, Recreation Supervisor at Pompey Park. Reggie was also a role model to Dondrea Swint. “When I was a kid Reggie kept me out of trouble. I was hanging around the wrong people and Reggie told me I was better than that. Now I run track at college and am studying sports medicine.” The accolades that tumble his way are like mist after a storm. When people see him, they honk their horns out of respect and love. But it doesn’t puff him up or inflate his ego. That’s because Reggie seems to know that leading children in the path of goodness is his calling. “I enjoy working with young people and I try to give them skills that will make their lives better. I came from a loving home where respect for adults was instilled in me.” According to Glover, Reggie was always the saint amidst the potential storms of life. “When we were young there was free tutoring at Pompey Park on Saturday mornings. Reggie made sure the center was open seven days a week. It was also a food distribution center and he was always there to make sure it went smoothly.” Reggie was Eddie Odom 111’s favorite teacher and Candi Odom Gauff’s swim teacher. “When I dropped Candi off for swim lessons, she held on tight to me, but when I picked her up, she was smiling,” said mother, Yvonne Odom. The head supervisor at Pompey Park, Rashod Smith, also sings his praises and is in awe of the man who walks softly but has the inner strength of a Sumo Wrestler. “I can talk to Reggie about anything. He has an amazing knowledge of Delray, listens and gives advice. I’ve never met anyone like him, he’s truly a living legend. People come to him for advice - his door is always open if you need to talk.” Though he was not Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, we honor him for his 55 years of service to Delray and its citizens - young and old. COPYRIGHTED www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com | january 2020 | 95
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O P ENIN G JANUARY 6, 2020 A NEW UP
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Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2020

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