Sam LaBeach

Panamanian-born Sam LaBeach moved to Jamaica at a young age and was a high school student when he was noted for his running prowess by a Morgan State University student who was visiting the country. LaBeach and George Rhoden were then recruited by the university on scholarship. While attending school from 1947 through 1951, LaBeach won collegiate mile relay titles from 1948 through 1950, the indoor 500-yard title from 1949 through 1951, and the outdoor championship in 1950 and 1951. Internationally he represented Panama and won the 400 metres event at the 1951 Bolivarian Games, which led to his selection for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Unfortunately, he pulled a hamstring in training and was unable to compete.

LaBeach’s injuries led him to retire shortly after the Games, but he had a nearly four-decade career with the Department of Recreation in Washington, D.C., and was a co-founder of the DC Marathon, the precursor to the Marine Corps Marathon. He also worked as a football (soccer) referee and was a track coach at the University of the District of Columbia.

LaBeach was inducted into the Morgan State Bears Hall of Fame in 1974. He also earned masters’ degrees at Howard University and Catholic University, and did work towards a doctorate degree in social work at the University of Maryland. His brother Lloyd won bronze medals in the 100 and 200 metres events at the 1948 London Olympics, becoming Panama’s first Olympic medalist, and another brother, Byron, represented Jamaica in the 100 metres at the 1952 Helsinki Games.