| Photos Courtesy: CARAH awards
The CARAH Awards is presented by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), the leading Caribbean-American advocacy organization responsible for securing the Presidential Proclamation of June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The prestigious honors recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Caribbean leaders in various fields while celebrating Caribbean pride and the great promise of Caribbean immigrants to America and the world.
Coach Lincoln Phillips will be presented with the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award, for his Excellence in Sports
In the annals of sporting excellence, there are few individuals who emerge as true legends, transcending borders and leaving an indelible mark on the world of athletics. Lincoln Phillips, hailing from the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, stands as a towering figure in the realm of football, making his mark on the global stage and pioneering the beautiful game in the United States.
From a tender age, Lincoln displayed extraordinary prowess in both football and cricket, leading Queen’s Royal College to national championships. His prodigious talents as a goalkeeper found their early showcase at the Maple Football Club, where he clinched two national championships, setting the stage for his remarkable journey.
Eager to make his mark on the world, Lincoln enlisted in the ranks of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, where he not only excelled in football but also showcased his basketball skills, helping his team secure numerous national championships. It was during this period that Lincoln emerged as a national representative, donning the colors of Trinidad and Tobago in both basketball and football, ultimately guiding his country to a remarkable bronze medal at the Pan American Games.
Lincoln’s exceptional goalkeeping performances at the Pan Am Games earned him a coveted professional contract, and he signed with the Baltimore Bays in the newly established North American Soccer League (NASL). Two years later, he etched his name into history by becoming the first black professional soccer coach in the United States, with the Washington Darts. |
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Coach Phillips’ journey continued to ascend as he assumed the helm of the Howard University soccer team in 1971, leading them to two national championships, an achievement that made Howard the first predominantly Black school to secure an NCAA national championship.
Beyond his remarkable playing and coaching career, Lincoln Phillips left an enduring legacy as a pioneer of the US soccer scene. He has served as a coach, administrator, and referee, and even ventured into the world of business, establishing the Lincoln Phillips Soccer School and Goalkeeping Academy. This visionary initiative, established in the mid-1970s, was one of the first specialist, co-ed youth football camps in the US, serving as a launching pad for the careers of numerous football practitioners.
Lincoln’s commitment to the development of the beautiful game continued to shine as he joined the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Coaching School Staff, taking on the role of goalkeeping coach for the US National Team in 1992.
In 2004, Lincoln Phillips returned to Trinidad and Tobago as the Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA). His visionary leadership led to a historic moment in T&T’s soccer history with the qualification for the 2006 World Cup.
Under Phillips’ stewardship, a massive coaching and player development program was introduced, aimed at fostering the growth of coaches and player identification. This initiative resulted in over 900 certified coaches, and both the men’s National U-17 and U-20 teams qualified for their respective World Cup finals. This period, from 2004 to 2011, is heralded as the most successful era in the history of TTFA.
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Lincoln Phillips, a scholar as well as a sportsman, holds a BA and MA in Physical Education from Howard University. He is also a published author of two outstanding books:
i)”Soccer Goalkeeping: The Last Line of Defense: The First Line of Attack”
ii) His autobiography, “Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar.”
His autobiography has garnered the attention of Hollywood-based studios, with plans for a motion picture adaptation following the 2017 ESPN-produced documentary, “Redemption Song: The Untold Story of the Howard University Championship Soccer Team.”
Today, Lincoln remains an active figure in the realm of youth coaching. In 2020, he established The Lincoln Phillips Alliance, a platform aimed at providing professional development, employment, and educational opportunities for aspiring Black football coaches and sports administrators.
Lincoln Phillips, a true legend in the world of soccer, has left an indelible mark on the global sporting landscape, and his remarkable journey continues to inspire and shape the future of the beautiful game.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with Lincoln Phillips and the vibrant Caribbean immigrant community!
Mark your calendars. Spread our story. Share our pride. |
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MEET THE HONOREE…
SIX QUESTIONS WITH LINCOLN PHILLIPS
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| Ready to make a lasting impact and connect with the thriving Caribbean immigrant community? Join us in sponsoring the CARAH Awards, where, through the NCAHM, we engage with over 400,000 of the 4 million immigrants in the Caribbean American community, with CARAH Awards leading as the premier Honors Event. Help make a world of difference. Become a partner today: carahawards@icsdc.org |
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