Monday, Nov. 02, 2009
Olympian Muna Lee comes home to Central High School
By STEVE PENN
The Kansas City Star
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ReprintThe passion of Muna Lee that led her to become a two-time Olympian emerged after the track coach at Central High School pulled her out of basketball practice one day to encourage her.
The gesture boosted Lee’s confidence and helped propel her on her way.
But when Lee returned to Central High School at 3221 Indiana Ave. on Friday, which happened to be her 28th birthday, she was the one with the gifts.
First Lee, a 2000 graduate, used the backdrop of Central High School to launch the Muna Lee Foundation, which will provide underprivileged students with college scholarships and equipment they might need to run track. Her ultimate goal is to create a track facility in the inner city.
While in the school’s library, Lee said the foundation will fill a void in local athletics.
“We’ll give scholarships and items such as track shoes,” Lee said. “We’ll talk to the kids and give them anything else they need to better themselves in sports.”
When asked to describe her Olympic experiences, Lee had nothing but positive things to say. She represented the U.S. in both sprint races in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She finished fifth in the 100 meters and fourth in the 200 meters.
“The Olympic experiences were some of the best that I’ve ever had,” Lee said. “I’ve been able to travel and see things. I’m growing from those experiences, seeing the world. I’ve also grown running track as well.”
Lee, who trains in College Station, Texas, where she’s a volunteer coach at Texas A&M University, enjoys returning to Kansas City.
“I always have fun when I come back,” Lee said. “I hit up all my favorite restaurants.”
Lee left no ambiguity regarding her long-range goals.
“I still want to medal in the Olympics,” she said. “I still have to get my degree. And I want to start a fashion line.”
Lee brought 10 professional runners she trains to Kansas City. In addition to the appearance on Friday, Lee held a clinic for kids and track coaches from throughout the area.
Lee also toured the weight room with Richard Samuels, the former track coach at Central.
“One the greatest things athletes can do is to give back to the community and the school that helped them get to where they are,” Samuels said.
At an assembly for Lee, the Central students sang “Happy Birthday.” Then Lee presented the school with her USA running jersey from the Berlin World Championships.
Lee has assumed the mantle of role model. She has traveled around the world but has never forgotten her roots. Now she’s encouraging other potential track athletes.
At 28, Lee already has a proud legacy.