Cuts made in the spring to non-varsity sports at Chicago Public Schools will be revoked, according to CPS officials.
The district originally eliminated all sophomore sports to help close a massive budget deficit, but after much public protest and action in Springfield, practice for the programs can begin as soon as next week.
“The mayor has been very clear about this priority, and the district has been able to identify other administrative cuts … to restore sports programs to normal levels,” CPS spokeswoman Monique Bond said.
Mayor Richard Daley addressed the issue Tuesday at an anti-crime news conference.
“I told (schools chief) Ron Huberman and (Chicago Board of Education President) Mary Richardson(-Lowry) they have to keep the sports program,” Daley said. “The Board of Education, that’s an example of doing an effective job and putting it back into effect, because the sports program is very important for thousands and thousands of young men and women here, both in elementary and high schools.”
Joyce Kenner, principal at Young, said her school has informed coaches that all levels of sports can begin practices Aug. 11, the first day allowed by the Illinois High School Association.
“I’m thrilled that our sports have been reinstated,” Kenner said. “We as adminstrators are trying to develop a whole child, and sports are a part of that.”
Kenner said there is still “a possibility that some of the sports might have some issues” and that schools may have to become more involved in the funding of their sports.
Morgan Park football coach Lexie Spurlock was informed by administrators Wednesday that the school would have freshman and sophomore football programs this year. He estimated that as many as 80 athletes would get a chance to participate in the lower levels because of the reinstatement.
“Without freshman and sophomore football, the Public League would suffer tremendously,” Spurlock said. “You hate to see kids that can play football sit on the bench knowing that they’re not going to play varsity. They haven’t developed the skills to even play safely on the varsity level.”
Tribune reporter John Byrne contributed to this report.
ckane@tribune.com and asahmed@tribune.com
