Alumni Spotlight: Elridge Blake, A True Trailblazer
UVI Alumni Spotlight: Throughout the spring and summer, the University of the Virgin Islands Athletics will be highlighting former student-athletes and alumni that have made a difference in the community and the university. We will begin our series with an eye on UVI Hall of Famer Elridge W. Blake.
December 6, 2021, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. codified Elridge Blake's historic status within the U.S. Virgin Islands with the signing of Bill No. 34-0065. The legislation is meant to "honor and commend Elridge Blake for his outstanding accomplishments in sports and contributions to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands."
Blake's story and legend begins before he even reached high school. At 12 years old, Blake hit a home run in his first little league baseball, playing for the Moravian Church School. That story is just the beginning of the Blake lore. Fast-forward to Blake at Charlotte Amalie High School where he was Vice-President of his 1965 class and President of the Varsity Club. His athletic achievements in high school reads as a laundry list as he received various honors such as the 1965 Basketball Player of the Year, 1965 6 Top Varsity Basketball Team Scorer, 1965 Athlete of the Year, 1965 Student Government 7 Award, the 1965 Student Who Contributed Most to the Community Award, and Top 8 Academic Male of the Class of 1965.
In college, while lettering in baseball, basketball, and track and field from 1965 to 1969 at Fisk University, Blake only grew his list of athletic accolades. He was Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Sophomore Athlete in baseball while leading the university in home runs and runs batted in during his four seasons. Blake also added "1968 conference champion" to his baseball cap. On the court, Blake was a two-time team Defensive Player of the Year and in track and field, Blake once owned the 4 x 100-meter relay record in the state of Tennessee.
Academically, Blake was a three-time member of the Dean's List at Fisk, eventually graduating with honors and a degree in health and physical education. Following college, Blake cemented legend status by getting his #21 jersey retired by Fisk and becoming the first Virgin Islander to be drafted out of a university when he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball in 1968.
Blake's athletic career did not end at Fisk and was not limited to just baseball and basketball. Blake absolutely excelled at volleyball. In 1978 and operating as a player-coach, Blake guided the Virgin Islands Olympic Men's Volleyball team to its first international tournament, returning home as gold medalist champions of the English-Speaking Caribbean Islands. He played in the first baseball Senior Men's World Series, which he and the St. Thomas 40-Plus Team won in 1980. He won consecutive Senior Men's Homerun Derbys at the ages of 50 and 51. Blake was also an Olympian in fast-pitch softball and arguably most impressive, Blake was a horse trainer and exercise jockey for two horses in the early 1960s.
From 1974 to 2005, Blake was a Lecturer, Instructor, and Assistant Professor of physical education here at the University of the Virgin Islands. In 1989, Blake would receive his Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Supervision in Education from UVI. In his time spent at UVI, Blake was incredibly fundamental in developing the athletic program. In fact, Blake is credited with starting the Buccaneers' athletic program in 1976 with the formation of men's and women's volleyball teams.
"Coach Blake's impact on UVI Athletics is overwhelming," said UVI's Director of Athletics, Dr. Jerel Drew. "He is a true trailblazer in the world of intercollegiate athletics and his impact in the world of sports, not only throughout the Caribbean but throughout the world."
In addition to being the head men's and women's volleyball coach at UVI and winning local and international tournaments over the course of two decades, Blake was also an assistant women's basketball coach. As a professor, he taught students a myriad of subjects, such as swimming, softball, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, tennis, bowling, physical fitness, track and Field, Calypsocise, stunts, tumbling, table tennis, and other table games.
During his tenure at UVI, Blake created a mentorship program for all local high schoolers. His community service extended out to the British Virgin Islands, where he held basketball, volleyball, and health clinics in Tortola. In 2000, Blake was selected for inclusion in the Sixth Edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers, an honor given to only about 2.5 percent of teachers nationwide.
In 2001, Blake was inducted into the University of the Virgin Islands Hall of Fame. He's also a member of the Winston Raymo Sports Hall of Fame and he's been honored as a Legend of the Games by the Virgin Islands Amateur Sports Association. Previously, in 2003, Blake had been recognized by the V.I. government with another bill that recognized his contribution to sports on the island. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Blake was recognized as the Top Virgin Islands Athlete.
Blake has been a trailblazer for Virgin Islanders in many ways than one. He had a successful athletic career that extended several decades after college. Through his time as a head coach and an assistant coach, plus as an instructor, Blake has touched countless lives and his impact is evidenced through future generations in the Virgin Islands.
"Coach Blake's impact has continued to transcend through the relationships with his former colleagues and most importantly, all of the student-athletes that he has impacted, not only athletically, but spiritually and professionally," added Dr. Drew. "Coach Blake is a true hero and a legend."
