UTECH Jamaica Students Urged to Carry Legacy with Pride at Penn Relays

Student athletes of the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica have been charged to carry the institution’s legacy with pride as they prepare to compete at the Penn Relays in the United States, following an official send-off reception held at the University’s main campus in Papine, St. Andrew.

Speaking during the Media Briefing and Official Send-Off for Student Athletes on Friday (April 17), President of UTech, Dr. Kevin Brown, underscored the significance of the occasion and the achievement of those selected.

“This is a special send-off for our UTech Knights. We use the Knight as our logo for sports here, our Monteith, our mascot. And so, we have UTech Knights. So, this reception is for our Athletic Knights who we’re sending off to the 2026 Penn Relays,” he said.

“I want to extend warm congratulations to the athletes who were selected to compete. We have a lot of students who participate in our athletics programme… you are selected and I want to congratulate you on performing well enough to be part of the team. Your selection is no small achievement,” he continued.

Dr. Brown emphasised that the University expects excellence both on the track and in the classroom.

“We expect our athletes not only to perform well in sports but also to do well in their classwork, in their degree programmes,” he noted.

Highlighting the institution’s rich sporting legacy, Dr. Brown pointed to UTech’s role in developing some of Jamaica’s most celebrated athletes, including Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

“You name them, they have come through our programme from Usain to Asafa to Shericka to Fraser-Pryce. They have all come through our programme started by coach and sports director, Dennis Johnson,” he said.

Dr. Brown also outlined the importance of the Penn Relays to an athlete’s development.

“The Penn Relays matter… . They matter because this highly regarded Meet provides exposure to one of the highest levels of competition in the world. The Penn Relays matter because they open doors to international recognition, development opportunities,” he stated.

Dr. Brown further encouraged the athletes to recognise their role as ambassadors.

“So, athletes, I want to say to you that as you prepare to depart for the Penn Relays, I encourage you to always remember that you carry more than a baton. You are UTech Jamaica ambassadors,” he said.

Meanwhile, during his remarks, Pro-Chancellor, Aldrick McNab, reminded the athletes of the importance of discipline and balance.

“You need to understand that we appreciate you as an athlete but you must not forget about the books. It’s very, very important,” he said.

He also urged them to uphold the values of the institution and country. “So, how you carry yourself, or you conduct yourself is of paramount importance,” he said.

Head coach, Paul Francis, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and preparation.

“We’re very, very proud of our team and the work which we have done with them this season… we’re quietly confident… that we will be able to make this University very proud,” he said.

Athlete, Krystal Sloley, highlighted the resilience of the athletes, noting the challenges they have overcome.

“It was by far not an easy road to get here. From the September early morning training, in the wet grass, every weight lifted in the gym – all this we have faced our fair share of challenges,” she shared.

“Yet, we’ve emerged stronger, more resilient and more determined. This is a testament to our ability to overcome any obstacle,” she added.

The team is preparing to depart for the prestigious 130th staging of the Penn Relays, scheduled for April 23–25, 2026, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, as the University continues its long-standing participation in the meet dating back to 1973.