Harold Payne was born in Chicago, Illinois.  He attended Wendell Phillips High School where he earned three letters in varsity sports, football, track and baseball.  In his senior year, he was the only three letter man in his high school.  Upon graduation, Harold attended the University of Illinois, Chicago.  Later he received an academic scholarship to the University of Minnesota.  He was a member of the "Golden Gophers" Rose Bowl 1961 Football Team.  The team included, among other notables, Sanford Stephens (first Black All-American QB), Bobby Bell and Carl Eller both members of the National Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.  Along with Harold, the aforementioned were initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1961at the "U".  Harold received a degree in Political Science and Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota.

After serving in the United States Army during the Viet Nam War, Harold was honorably discharged and declared a compensated-disabled veteran.  Returning home, Harold began a career of extensive community activity while raising a family in his adopted home of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

 

Coach Payne had a diverse employment resume in Minneapolis; Deputy Director of the Minneapolis Urban Coalition, Minnesota State Human Rights Staffer, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, Red Cross Coordinator and YMCA Youth Street Worker.  In the latter position is where Harold found his calling.  He begin working to help troubled youth in Minneapolis and was appointed to served on many state and local boards and commissions.  Additionally, he was a delegate to the Republican State Convention and an endorsed candidate for state senator.

 

Moving to the Washington, DC area in the 70s', Harold continued his work in youth programs.  He was the National Youth Affairs Coordinator for the Office of Economic Opportunity.  He developed and approved programs for youth nationwide.

 

After a brief hiatus from the Federal Government, Harold begin work at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  While at HUD, he was chosen to participate in several Intergovernmental Personnel Assignments (IPA).  Howard University School of Business '79-'81, '91-'93 and Coppin State College, Special Assistant to the President '95-'97.  In 1992 Harold was Cochairman of Howard University's 125th Anniversary Gala.    

 

Albeit, retired from public sector employment, Harold continues to serve.  He is active with his Fraternity working with Long Reach High School's Alpha Achiever Program, a program designed to foster and promote additional arrangement for high school students to achieve and maintain high academic standards and global perspectives.  Also, Harold is a representative on the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to the Board of Education of Howard County.

 

Coach Payne has been working nearly 30 years with youth programs in Howard County.  Prior to founding the Jaguars Athletic Organization, he coached and worked for the Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) and was Commissioner of the Columbia Basketball Association (CBA), Cochairman Potomac Valley AAU, Chairman of Maryland AAU and State Chairman of YBOA.  This is his 28th year as Director/Coach of the Jaguars Athletic Organization.  And the ball keeps bouncing....................................................................