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Rev.Fr.Eugene
Hebert S.J
[1923-1990]
Written by
Mr.Ranjit David
(Past
Student of St.Michael’s) on the occassion of Golden Jubilee Celebration of SMC Alumni Association, Colombo branch in 1995 (updated in 2005)
It was with great
shock we heard of Rev.Fr.Eugene Herbert's death.Though our
minds refused to accept the sad loss of Rev.Fr.Herbert S.J
Popularly known as Rev.FR.Basketball, he is no more with us.
He was a Jesuit Priest ordained in Madras in March
1954 and arrived in Sri Lanka in 1956. On his arrival,
Fr.Herbert was stationed in Trincomalee and later in
Batticaloa. His importance lies in the fact that he was not
only religious, but a great sportsman too. He lived for 70
years, but what he achieved in this relatively short span of
life was innovative in many respects.
Born in
February 1923 ,in New Orleans, to a rich family. Fr.Herbert
lived a simple life. One could see him always smiling,
unshaven face, not so clean cassocks, eternally promoting and
uplifting the standard of Basketball in Batticaloa as well as
in other parts of the country. His valuable service to
Trincomalee and Batticaloa is something any citizen of
Trincomalee and Batticaloa would always remember. The
simplicity of his character made him accessible to all
students, the old boys of St.Michael's College and the citizen
of Batticaloa. The keenness and support Fr.Herbert provided in
uplifting the standards of basketball in Batticaloa enabled
him to build up confidence among the students and the old boys
of St.Michael's College. He trained many a college team and
also had the distinctive honour of having won several trophies
under his able guidance as coach.
01.SENIOR NATIONALS:
Batticaloa District became the runners-up on 3 occasions.
Unfortunately the championship trophy eluded him on many
occasions.
02.JUNIOR NATIONALS:
The Batticaloa District had the distinction of winning the
Championship Trophy on six occasions. This feet was achieved
for three consecutive years in 1986, 1987, and 1988 which no
other team has achieved so far.
03.PUBLIC SCHOOL TOURNAMENT:
On numerous occasions, St.Michael's became the champions in
the following categories- under 19, 17, 15 and 13.
Fr.Herbert was responsible for moulding students of
St.Michael's College to represent Sri Lanka in
Basketball
Given below are the names of Sri Lankan players of
St.Michael's College and St.Joseph's Trincomalee, who were
coached by him.
ANTON NADARAJAH, DESMOND NADARAJAH,
ANTON[FATTA]TISSAWEERASINGHE, P.FRANCIS, MALCOLM DE LIMA,
VINCENT LOGANATHAN, JUDAH JOHNPILLAI, RAMSAY JOHNPILLAI, JAMES
NAMASIVAYAM, ANDREW ANTHONIPILLAI, LATE JUDE NAMASIVAYAM,
P.VAZ, S.THIYAGARAJAH more...!
MEMORIES of
FR.HERBERT yelling on the Basketball Court ''KODUTHU ODU''
will live with us for the rest of our lives. As a sportsman he
gave unstintingly to the game and he coached according to its
finest tradition.
WHAT A
PRIEST, WHAT A SPORTSMAN. USE ANY YARD-STICK YOU LIKE AND IT
WILL GIVE YOU ONE RESULT i.e. REV.FR.HEBERT'S POPULARITY,
UNBLEMISHED CHARACTER, HONESTY, FEARLESSNESS AND BOLD
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE..
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