SCSU Sports Hall of Famer, St. Lucie educator, politician Havert "Coach" Fenn dead at 87, but his legacy continues...

Coach Fenn photos (start video at 1:40 - 2:59).   Mr. Fenn played football
and ran track at South Carolina State University from 1946 to 1949. He was
inducted into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame in April 1998. Coach
Fenn is also inducted into the St. Lucie County Sports Hall of Fame.

FORT PIERCE, Florida — Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County officials Friday were mourning the death of St. Lucie educator and community leader Havert “Coach” Fenn.

Fenn died Thursday night at age 87, according to his son, Morgan Fenn.

“Everything about the man was truly gracious and committed to the community,” said St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky.

In 2008, officials named the Havert L. Fenn Center on Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce in his honor. The $14.7 million, 62,575-square-foot facility serves as a recreation center and storm shelter.

“The building that you’re in is the future of St. Lucie County, just as Coach Fenn has been our past,” said then-County Commission Chairman Joe Smith during the 2008 opening ceremony.

In 1979, Fenn was elected to the Fort Pierce City Commission before becoming the first African-American appointed to the St. Lucie County Commission in 1982 by then- Gov. Bob Graham.

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