Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 2-11-22

Black History: The History Behind The Names
Al Barnes Park
Coach Alfred (Al) Barnes, Jr., was a Tampa native who attended the pub- lic schools of Hillsborough County.
After graduating from Florida A & M University, Coach Barnes returned to Tampa and launched a career in education.
During his tenure as an educator, Coach Barnes be- came one of the pioneers of integration. In 1965, Coach Barnes was 1 of 5 African American teachers trans- ferred to an all-white school. He was also the first African American Head Football Coach at Hillsborough High School, when appointed to that position in 1976.
Coach Barnes retired in 2000 after 40 years of serv- ice. He died in April 2008. He
COACH ALFRED (AL) BARNES, JR. 1938 --- 2008
was 69.
In August 2009, the 18th
Avenue Park in East Tampa was renamed in his honor.
Kid Mason Community Center
“”
Ralph Kid Mason Fendell was born in 1890, in Savannah, Georgia. He moved to Tampa as a young man and remained here for more than 40 years. During his lifetime, Fendell became a businessman and operated two businesses on the his- toric Central Avenue. Active in the community, Mason, a veteran of World War I, was a member of the American Legion Carmichael LeGree Post 167; a member of the Free & Accepted Masons; and Chairman of the Central Av- enue Merchants Christmas Decoration & Lighting Com- mittee.
In addition to his business operations, Fendell was very active in sports and be- came the first African Ameri- can to umpire a baseball
RALPH “KID MASON” FENDELL
game in Yankee Stadium. His interests in sports ex- tended to include boxing,
which is where he earned the nickname “Kid Mason,” and he served as a referee in wrestling as well. Mason was also a noted billiards champion.
Concerned about the chil- dren of the community, Mason actively raised money and established the Hillsborough County Indus- trial Home. Fendell pur- chased and donated the property to be a playground for Black children. The Kid Mason Recreation Center was built on that site.
Following a lengthy illness, Fendell died on November 30, 1958, at Bay Pines Hospi- tal. He was 67 years old. His funeral was held at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, and he is en- tombed in Memorial Park Cemetery.
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