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Morgan Park vs. Simeon Basketball Game Postponed, Parents Say

By Evan F. Moore | January 15, 2016 5:55pm | Updated on January 15, 2016 7:05pm
 Morgan Park parents did not hear from CPS before the Thursday night 5 p.m. deadline, parents said. 
Morgan Park parents did not hear from CPS before the Thursday night 5 p.m. deadline, parents said. 
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DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig

MORGAN PARK— The parents of the top-ranked Morgan Park boys' basketball team say the hotly anticipated game between Morgan Park and Simeon — which had been scheduled for Saturday — has been postponed after the team threatened to boycott and forfeit the game.

Parent spokeswoman Tiffany Burrell, whose son Romelo plays on the team, issued a statement Friday on behalf of the parents saying: "Forty eight hours after they first threatened to withhold their son's [sic] from tomorrow's rivalry game against Simeon, parents ... successfully lobbied for [Chicago Public Schools] officials to postpone the game until their short and long term concerns can be addressed."

A CPS spokesman confirmed the decision Friday night and said the game "will be rescheduled for a later date to ensure a venue is selected that meets the needs of students, families and both school communities."

The announcement came after a meeting with Morgan Park principal Carolyn Epps late Friday. Epps will meet with parents again at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at the high school, the statement said. Parents will hold a press conference after the meeting.

Earlier Friday, Burrell issued a statement explaining the decision to boycott the game: "The parents came to the drastic decision after meeting amongst themselves and talking with their sons. The decision comes on the day when much of the nation is celebrating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who dedicated his life to standing up for equality on racial, social-economic and educational matters for all human beings."

Parents main objectives are to have home games played at Morgan Park High School and "for CPS and local city officials to commit to building an adequate sized gymnasium for the 1,400 students at the school in the near future along with other infrastructure needs."

Before the meeting, the parents and players planned to hold a press conference at the same time as the scheduled game, Burrell said. The game was supposed to take place at 1 p.m. at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep, 250 E. 111th Street, in Roseland.

A source close to the situation told DNAinfo Chicago that the game was originally scheduled to be played at Morgan Park's home gym. But CPS moved the game to Little Village High School, 3120 S. Kostner Ave., and later Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep.

The game was moved because organizers said the Morgan Park gym was too small to accommodate expected crowds.

The parents' statement pointed out that not only was $17 million given to Walter Payton College Prep for a gym and other amenities, but the fact that the newly opened Morgan Park Sports Center, which is located one mile from Morgan Park's campus, does not have a basketball court. 

DNAinfo obtained an email Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) sent to Burrell on Wednesday, noting that Epps had concerns about safety in hosting the game since a large crowd is expected.

"Attempting to fit the expected crowd of 1,500+ people into a gymnasium that comfortably sits 275 represents a significant public safety risk," he wrote.

He also said that having the game at a larger venue would mean more money generated from ticket sales, which could go to the athletic program.

O'Shea was unavailable for comment. 

Mickey Pruitt, deputy executive director of CPS' Department of Sports Administration & Facilities Management, referred calls to CPS public affairs department.

Darlene Randall, whose son, Jarrin, plays on the team, said she knew that the parents knew going in that their stance would be polarizing.

"A dear friend told me something so true in this battle. It read: 'To stand up for yourself takes strength but to stand up for others takes courage,' " Randall said. "I guess we are courageous parents. I can't really worry about what others think. We have to do what we believe is best. What matters to us may not matter to others. It's our battle — not theirs."

Jamarra Dosunmu's son Ayo, also plays for Morgan Park. She echoed Randall's sentiments.

"The boys and their peers just want to experience true 'home court advantage' against our biggest rival," Dosunmu said. "When we play Simeon at Simeon it is truly an electrifying atmosphere, for the student body, parents, alumni, fans of both teams and especially the players and coaches."

Dosunmu went on to say that Morgan Park should have actual home games like many other schools in the city.

"It should only be fair that MP have that same experience," Dosunm said. "As for the request for a new gym, if our gym is too small to accommodate the fanfare that the team attracts, then yes. We stand united. If one of us were opposed, we wouldn't be here!"

Before Friday's meeting with Epps, the parents' statement noted that parents had tried to contact  Epps on several occasions:

"Dr. Carolyn Epps has consistently ignored the concerns of parents and has refused to meet with us since we announced our demands on Jan 13. She could have resolved this matter days and weeks ago by merely having the game at the school," the parents said.

Morgan Park Principal Carolyn Epps was unavailable for comment. 

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