They have all gone on to achieve varying degrees of success in both their professional and personal lives but back then, Garrett (Punchy) Dill, David Scraders and twins Richard and Robert Claderon were my heroes. Just as kids today "wanna be like Mike (Jordan)'', when I was growing up on Glebe Road in the heart of the North Village community, I wanted to play football like these guys. Our paths first crossed when I was transferred to Prospect Primary School Central as a result of my mother moving the family from Middletown to Glebe Road and, consequently, from out of the Central School zone.

I got to admire Punchy's dribbling skills, his sheer wizardry with a football, a mini-sized nightmare for opposing defenders; David's aggressive approach to the game and refusal to lose at any cost; and the Calderon twins' fierce determination and tenacity. David and I would have many epic battles in those days as captains of opposing teams at Pig's Field, the place where the fellas' footballing days began.

However, what also made these guys more intriguing and fascinating to me, as a youngster, was the fact that they all opted to attend Technical Institute upon our graduation from primary school.

What made them all decide to go to Technical Institute, I wanted to know? Explains Dill: "I went to Tech because of my older brothers, Wendell and Shervin. They were always talking about the school and I found what they had to say pretty fascinating. So, I guess it just came naturally.'' Robert Calderon, on the other hand, had originally intended to go to Berkeley Institute, but changed his mind when his twin brother, Richard decided to go to Technical. "I guess, being twins, I wanted us to stick together. It just made sense at the time.'' For David Scraders, there was another real motivating factor that influenced his decision. "I went to Tech because I saw a chance for us to be together again since we all played for Prospect's football team as well as for North Village Community Club. There was a lot of unity amongst us guys, we were all close and I always dreamed that we would end up playing pro football together one day.'' Pro football not quite, but they did all go on to become popular and outstanding members of various Tech football teams, the North Village Red Devils and all four went on to represent Bermuda at the senior level.

Along the way, they all attended college at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, where they again excelled as members of that school's soccer team.

Richard Calderon recalls: "Tech always had great sports teams and it was really an honour to represent the school. And, apart from the talented players we always played with at Tech, all four of us had grown up together, played together at Prospect Primary and with North Village's junior team, but we really learned to play football at Pig's Field. That small field taught you close skills and it was hard just trying to get a kick with so many guys wanting to play.'' Apart from its excellent sports and athletic programme, all four remember Technical Institute for its structured and disciplined approach to education.

"The school was very strict and had some of the better teachers in the school system, in my opinion,'' Robert Calderon explains. "Teachers like Dr.

Maxwell, who was a real disciplinarian and a brilliant maths teacher. He was a person who believed in giving detentions and he didn't stand for any nonsense in his classes.'' The other guys nod their heads in approval. "The teachers made you want to learn,'' says Scraders. "They were always well prepared and expected us to do well. It was a real shame when the school closed down, a real shame!'' Robert Calderon agrees. "Just look around at places like Cable and Wireless, Bermuda Telephone Company and the Electric Light Company and we will find a lot of former Tech graduates holding down very responsible positions.

The school was providing this community with a lot of highly skilled black Bermudian technicians.'' Dill, who is a self-employed technician in the construction field, points out that he still appreciates the value of the education he received at Tech.

"The skills I acquired at Tech were invaluable. I see lots of young men entering the construction trade who lack knowledge and the basic skills. They have no knowledge of what a sixteenth or a half inch is in terms of measurement - it's real sad. I can honestly say that Tech gave me a good foundation.'' Richard Calderon, who is Director of Sales at the Elbow Beach Hotel, recalls that, besides the school's excellent academic and technical curriculum, the teachers were also excellent role models. "There were positive black role models like Mr. Alfred Carey, Mr. Guishard and Mr. Sweeting. I can remember, back in the 1960s and early 1970s, there were a lot of changes happening in the school system. A lot of influences were coming into schools, here on the island, like the black movement in the United States and students, particularly blacks, were becoming restless and racial tensions were running high, but I really admire Mr. Carey and some of the other teachers for helping to keep us in check and for keeping us focused on our educational goals. I know it couldn't have been easy, but they managed to accomplish it.'' His brother, Robert, who has held senior Personal Administration positions in the island's hotel industry, says: "Tech made a major difference in my life and provided me with the proper foundation to achieve my life's goals.'' Concludes Punchy Dill to put it all in perspective. "Tech had tradition, a strong prefect system. I can remember walking around one time with my tie unfastened and being approached by one of the prefects and told to fix it properly right on the spot.

"The teachers espoused achievement and gave us a sense of pride and respect in ourselves. I believe everyone who went to Tech was affected by it.'' Pride of Pig's Field, from left, soccer players Richard Calderon, Garrett Dill, David Scraders and Robert Calderon all starred for North Village and the Tech.

SEPTEMBER 1993 RG MAGAZINE