From left to right, Navid Taslimi '01 and Lawrence Dossche '01, Bright classmates of Gus McCravey; Moira McCravey '03, and Georgia and John McCravey '60, stand beside the rock and plaque for the Gus McCravey Athletic Complex, or GMAC, which was dedicated on May 14.
This spring, the new track and field at Bright School hosted track meets, lacrosse matches, soccer clinics, a variety of P.E. classes and a school-wide festival. The amount of activity is just what was envisioned for the GMAC, also known as the Gus McCravey ’01 Athletic Complex, which was formally dedicated on Saturday during the school’s alumni picnic.
Alumni, friends and GMAC donors joined Gus’s parents, Georgia and John ’60, and sister, Moira ’03, and Head of School O.J. Morgan in celebrating Gus and the track named in his memory. Gus passed away in July 2011. He ran track at Bright School and played lacrosse at McCallie and Denison University.
“Gus started his career in athletics at Bright School. It is totally appropriate to have a track like this,” John McCravey said at the dedication. “This facility will train young soccer and lacrosse players and runners, which is an incredible legacy for our son. We appreciate all of you who contributed so much to make this facility what it is. It took a lot of effort and open hearts for this. …Hopefully we will send a lot of Bright School kids off to excel in these sports.”
Mr. Morgan told the crowd about how he has enjoyed watching children use the track and field, remarking how the Bright track team was very dominant this season. “Just seeing the faces of children who are full of joy, loving life, giving it their all and supporting one another in the process makes me think of Gus and what he brought to our lives and to this world,” he said. “Gus’s spirit is with us, and it will always be with us. That is why I think this field is a very apt representation of him and what he brought to us all.”
Moira McCravey finished the ceremony by lifting a cloth off a rock and plaque, which serve as a marker beside the track.
The school broke ground on the GMAC (pronounced G-MAC) in April 2015, and it was completed six months later thanks to the donations of more than 200 friends and alumni.