A special event took place at Roger C. Sullivan High School on Martin Luther King holiday this year, as Friends of Sullivan sponsored Sullivan High School’s 3rd MLK Day Middle School Hoops Tournament.

Nine middle schools and over 100 students participated in the day long tournament - one which every participating team played at least two games. Between games, students enjoyed lunch and a learning & motivational program where educators and two Sullivan High School basketball players spoke with the kids about Dr. King’s legacy, “what it takes” to be a successful high school athlete, and what it takes to succeed in life.

Of courses, the kids’ primary focus was on playing competitive basketball, and both of Sullivan’s gyms, including the newly renovated “Jan Schakowsky Gym,” offered a wonderful location for the student athletes to showcase their skills and talent.

First games launched at 8:30AM - and nearly ten hours later, a scrappy and talented team from Skokie, a basketball academy called Triumph, emerged as the victor, prevailing after some hard fought contests against Armstrong and Horace Mann.

The following schools from Rogers Park participated: Gale Academy,  Eugene Field, Kilmer, Armstrong. Also competing:  McPherson (Edgewater), Horace Mann (South Shore),  St. Viator (Old Irving Park), Laura Ward (Humboldt Park), 

There are two tremendous three minute videos highlighting the day’s activities

Promotional video about the tournament:

This slide show identifies the tournamene's real estate sponsors:

The Rogers Park Builders Group and many of its members funded the entire cost of the day long tournament, including lunch, referees, trophies, and each player received a T-shirt commemorating the day’s exciting event!