Tribute given to Altamont McKenzie (aka Doc)

Mr. Altamont “Doc” McKenzie was honored by the members of the Calabar Alumni New York Chapter on September 28, 2024. He was presented a trophy in recognition of his dedication and achievements in football which started at Calabar High School, where he first represented the school at the COLT’s, and then the prestigious Manning Cup levels of competition. His performance for the three years he represented Calabar, earned him a selection to represent the school twice in the all Manning Cup Team playing against the all DeCosta Cup team for the Olivia shield. 

From this early stage of playing football he was selected to play on the Under 19 team representing Jamaica. His skills allowed him to be awarded a scholarship to SUNY Oneonta university in upstate New York, where he later graduated with a bachelor’s in science in Biology. There again he further excelled and was drafted to the North American Soccer Leagues playing for the Dallas Tornado. While playing there in Dallas he was on loan to a club in Holland in the European League where he played for a year before returning to Dallas Tornado. 

He was a part of the historic game dubbed the as “the return of Pele to North American football”, played on June 15th, 1975, where the NY Cosmos met the Dallas Tornado. He started that game at the position of left-wing wearing number 15, where he was notably entrusted with the mammoth task of marking “the great Pele”. He scored the first goal against the NY Cosmos in this game as well at the 9 minutes mark. He was invited back home to represent Jamaica on the national team on numerous occasions. 

With all these achievements and accomplishments in football, it is the unanimous opinion of all the members of the Calabar Alumni New York Chapter that you are no doubt the most decorated footballer that ever played and attended Calabar High School, the utmost for the highest, Here Sir! RABALAC FOR LIFE. BIG UP LION.