In Memoriam: Hubert Lawrence (1960-2024)

ARTSETC NOTES with sadness the passing of Jamaican journalist, sportscaster and author Hubert Lawrence.

A popular and respected figure in the sporting world in Jamaica and regionally, Hubert died suddenly on Friday, February 23, aged 63. His passing sparked much outpouring of shock, disbelief and sorrow on social media among those who knew or worked with him.

First and foremost a table tennis enthusiast, he was knowledgeable about a wide range of sports and was particularly admired and noted as a track and field analyst. Hubert possessed an uncanny ability to seamlessly blend hard stats, sporting facts and histories to bring sporting action alive for listeners. His melodious voice and confident, understated commentary style made him a fixture on coverage teams for sporting events such as the Jamaican schools championships, CARIFTA Games, World Championships, and the Olympics.

Hubert was also a columnist for the Jamaica Gleaner, worked in PR and communications, and wrote or co-authored a number of books, including Power and Glory: Jamaica in World Athletics from WWII to the Diamond League Era and 50 Days of Fire. He was also a friend of ArtsEtc, contributing a personal essay on his dislike, albeit thorough understanding, of cricket to Shouts from the Outfield: The ArtsEtc Cricket Anthology in 2007.

Born in London, England, to Jamaican immigrants, hemoved back to the Caribbean as a boy with his family in the 1970s. Hubert Lawrence is predeceased by his mother, brother and wife. ArtsEtc conveys its heartfelt sympathy to his remaining family, friends, athletes, sports fans, and colleagues.