Lakeview resident Derrick Adkins has been a local celebrity since he won a gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He makes frequent guest appearances at high school sports competitions and community events in the New York area. He was even a guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman” last February.
And the Nassau County Legislature recently honored Adkins by naming a Lakeview street after him.
But those who know Adkins, 38, say that unless you ask him about his remarkable achievement or have seen him on TV, you would never know that he is an Olympic champion, because he rarely talks about it. Family members and friends use adjectives like “humble” and “modest” to describe him.
To many, Adkins represents one of the greatest local success stories ever. He began running at age 7, as a member of the Lakeview Speedsters, a track team started by parents and community leaders for kids in the neighborhood. In middle school, he started focusing on the hurdles, and by the time he graduated from Malverne High School in 1988, he was one of the top hurdlers in the nation.
Adkins attended Georgia Tech University on a full track scholarship, and competed there for four years. He began attracting international attention when he won the World Student Games in 1991 and 1993 and U.S. National Championships in 1994 and 1995. In 1996, he edged Samuel Matete from Zambia by .24 seconds to capture the gold medal in Atlanta.
Adkins, who earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1993, is now the track and field director at the Armory in New York City. And what many people say they admire most about him is that he still finds the time to give back to the community. School officials and coaches in District 12 admire his selflessness, saying they never have to ask him more than once to visit the district, which includes Malverne, Lakeview, West Hempstead and North Lynbrook, to give a motivational speech to students. Adkins also regularly volunteers at sporting events and other school activities at MHS.
"It's easy to see that Derrick loves being here for the students in our school district," said Brenda White, the high school’s athletic director. "He's a real inspiration to our students because he always encourages them to do their best ... and he helps them to see that with hard work and an education, they can achieve their goals."
"Derrick is a fine young man who has really set a standard for everyone to follow," added Lakeview resident Charles Nanton, who has known Adkins since he was 5. "He's always working to make the community better by reaching out to help the youth and anyone in any way that he can. He's just a kind young man and a real asset to our community."
Each year, MHS and the Lakeview Youth Federation host the Derrick Adkins Holiday Classic track and field meet, which features more than 3,000 teens from high schools all over New York state. According to the organizers, Adkins has helped the competition flourish. The Classic will celebrate its 10th anniversary this April.
"Derrick comes to the Classic each year to host it, and he speaks to the participants about excelling in school as well as on the field," said Nanton, the youth federation's chairman. "Our events are about helping kids, and Derrick is always there to help make a difference in the lives of these young athletes."
Adkins also dedicates countless hours to help organize the National Jeans Company and Malverne Rotary Club's 5K Run/Walk each fall. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Malverne Fitness and Educational Foundation, which raises money to improve the athletic facilities in District 12. During MHS's Homecoming festivities on Oct. 4, school officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school's new track, which was funded by the proceeds from last year's run/walk. Adkins was in attendance to help celebrate the opening.
On Dec. 1, the county Legislature announced that Woodfield Road, between Lakeview and Hempstead avenues, had been renamed Derrick Adkins Road. County officials presented Adkins with a citation honoring his athletic achievements and volunteerism during that day’s legislative session.
"I am most proud of the fine young man [Derrick] has become, thanks to his wonderful family traditions, training and education," said Legislator Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), who represents Lakeview. "Derrick gives back to his community by being a great role model, by influencing young athletes to do their best ... and he always encourages them to pursue a college education."
"I think it's just great that this street was named after Derrick, who is such a giving and hardworking young man," said Rener Reed, who has lived on Woodfield Road for 45 years. "We have always been happy and fortunate to have someone positive like him here in our community."
In a speech at the legislative session, Adkins displayed the modesty that is admired by so many who know him or who have watched him through the years, attributing his success to Nanton; Colbert Britt, his longtime coach and fellow Lakeview activist; and other community leaders, who, he said, work relentlessly to establish activities for kids and improve their neighborhoods.
By all accounts, Adkins is one of Lakeview's — and District 12's — biggest advocates of education and is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people in his community. His many achievements and tireless volunteer work, many believe, will continue to inspire members of the next generation to be positive and productive citizens. The Herald is honored to name him its 2008 Person of the Year.
"Now, for some people, achieving that [Olympic] glory would be enough, but not for Derrick," said County Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead). "He’s always wanted to give back to his community, especially the children, so they can someday realize their dreams. Derrick is somewhat of a hero to them, as he is to everyone in Malverne."
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
