Belmont Plateau in West Philly is where running great Shelly Steely performed some of her finest work, so it’s only fitting she should receive enshrinement into that landmark’s Hall of Fame.
The official ceremony took place this past Saturday and, although she was unable to attend in person because she lives in Australia, the moment was still quite special for the Bishop Conwell (now Conwell-Egan) High School graduate.
“Being inducted into the Belmont Plateau Hall of Fame (along with local running greats such as Dave Patterson and Gary Fanelli) means so much to me because Belmont was where so much of my running story began,” she said. “When I think back now, I realize the story was never just about races and results, it was as much about the people who believed in me.”
Steely’s inner circle proved instrumental throughout her running career at Conwell, the University of Florida and later on the United States Olympic team. Her career highlight came at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain where she qualified for the 3,000-meter finals and finished seventh overall/second American.
“The older I get, the more I understand that athletic success is rarely an individual achievement,” Steely said. “There are so many people behind it, coaches, teachers, friends, family and people who simply show up for you.
“I was incredibly fortunate to have people like Jim Fenerty (running coach at Conwell), Art (running coach at Conwell) and Mel Barrett and (the late) Earl Jeffries in my life.”
It all started in her high school days when she dominated Philadelphia Catholic League running from 1976-1980.
She raced to victory in three straight PCL cross country championships contested at Belmont Plateau and helped Conwell win the league title in 1979.
“What means the most to me now is realizing how much these people gave to me when I was young,” said Steely, who has continued her teaching career in Australia. “All these years later, I absolutely do.
“Belmont Plateau represents far more to me than a place where I raced. It represents one of the places where my distance running journey began, and the people who helped me believe in what might be possible.”
That support system proved invaluable as the years passed.
“Looking back, I realize that the races, victories and records are only part of what stays with you. What matters most are the people who believed in you, encouraged you and gave their time and kindness along the way.”
Steely drew upon knowledge she gained about running in her early years to dominate SEC competition while at Florida and later when she enjoyed success at the national level.
“Mr. Fenerty was kind, funny and genuinely interested in young people learning and succeeding,” Steely recalled. “I still remember what he wrote in my yearbook: ‘Life is being able to take the good with the bad. Don’t let the bad get you down and don’t let the good make you forget your friends.’
“At the time, I thought it was such a profound thing to read as a 17-year-old and now, all these years later, I can appreciate how powerful and meaningful they are.”
Steely said Fenerty once took the time to do a pencil drawing for her after she won a hilly road race. She still has it framed. As a teenager, she said, she appreciated it, but as an adult she understands so much more what it meant for a teacher and coach to give that kind of time and thought to a student.
Her achievements at Conwell are stuff of legend. In addition to her exceptional races at Belmont Plateau, she tripled (880, mile and two-mile) in the PCL track championships in both 1979 and 1980. In her senior year at Conwell, she finished third in the Penn Relays high school 1,500 in a field which included future Olympians Kim Gallagher and Joetta Clark.
At Florida, she placed second in the 1984 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship. She also won the Southeast Conference 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 and was named All-America five times.
During her Conwell years, the Barretts offered a helping hand.
“Art and Mel were incredibly kind to me,” Steely said. “As a teenager I simply accepted that kindness. As an adult I realize how much extra time and effort that added to their day. They did it because they cared. They are beautiful, kind people.
“The Barretts were also the ones who told me in 11th grade that I needed to move up from the sprints because my 100-meter time kept getting slower.”
Steely disclosed she was so cranky with Art after he told her she wasn’t running in a 100-meter race while she was seated on the ground changing her shoes that she threw her spike at him. Luckily it struck him in the back and caused no damage.
That resulted in some profuse apologies.
“They were right, of course,” Steely said. “Moving into the middle and longer distances changed the course of my running career.”
Perhaps the person with the most positive influence on her was Jeffries.
“He loved running, took an interest in local athletes and would drive some of us to races around Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” she said. “He became a very dear friend. I think he would have been so happy about my induction honor and the ceremony.
“He was also a fan of fellow inductees Gary Fanelli and Dave Patterson. He would have so enjoyed the event.”
Sadly, Jeffries passed away in 2003, just a few weeks after Steely’s son was born.
“Earl never got the chance to meet him,” Steely said. “Whenever I am home (in Bucks County) in July, I visit Earl’s grave. It is my way of remembering a wonderful, supportive friend who was part of my life for many years.”
It was that sort of support which helped make Steely the great runner she was.
The memory of that emotional backing can never be forgotten. Last Saturday’s Hall of Fame ceremony was a reminder of that in a very meaningful moment.
>Race calendar
Sunday
988 Run Out of the Darkness 10K/5K, 9:30 a.m., Perkasie. Contact www.runningintheusa.com
Saturday, Sept. 12
9/11 Heroes Run – Feasterville, 8 a.m., Feasterville. Contact www.runsignup.com
Miles for Smiles 5K, 9 a.m., Bensalem. Contact www.runsignup.com
Mill Street Run 5K, 8 a.m., Bristol. Contact www.runsignup.com
Sunday, Sept. 20
Garden of Reflection 5K/10K, 9 a.m., Lower Makefield. Contact www.runsignup.com
Be the first to comment