Mac and Louise Irvin

McGlother "Mac" Irvin was considered the “Godfather“of Chicago club basketball. He launched the Mac Irvin Fire, basketball club to highlight Chicago talent and setup a traveling team, which was sponsored by Nike in 1992. Many players went on to the NBA. He also founded the Mac Irvin Foundation to make a positive impact on at risk youth through basketball.

His wife, Louise Irvin was the manager of the program until her death in 2019. He worked for Xerox company before starting the Club; they raised 6 children on the South Side of Chicago. The Foundation and Club are being continued by the Irvin children.

Fernwood Park Basketball Courts were dedicated in his honor in 2012.

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Honorary McGlother "Mac" Irvin WAY

South Parnell Avenue from West 109th Street to West 111th Street

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 21
Alderman: Howard Brookins, Jr., (amended September) Ronnie Mosely
Neighborhood: Pullman

d. 2011. Age 74

Sign dedication: September 23, 2023

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Source

20231313
20121108

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/mcglother-mac-irvin-basketball-courts

https://www.jcoydenreports.com/chicagohonorsgodfathermacirvin

https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/high-school/post/_/id/2380/chicago-mourns-passing-of-mac-irvin

https://www.foreverfire.org/about-us

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-4430661

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/12/24/mac-irvin-godfather-of-chicago-basketball-dies/

Benji Wilson

Benji Wilson was a high school basketball team captain of the Simeon Wolverines, who died as the result of gun violence. He was a very talented player. By sophomore year he had already made the varsity team. In 1984, his senior year, he was ranked the top high school player in the country and anticipated scholarships from multiple universities.

His jersey number was 25. In his honor this number was worn by his teammate, Nick Anderson when he attended University of Illinois, by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, and by Brandon Sherrod Wilson, Benji’s son who was 10 weeks old when his father died.

Two documentaries have been filmed about his life and death: 2012 Benji, which premiered on ESPN; 2020 Two Sides of the Gun: A Story of Reconciliation. The 2020 film included the fulfillment of the dying wish of his mother, for her family and surviving sons to publicly forgive the murderer.

Alum:
Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School

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Honorary Benji Wilson Way

East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. March 18, 1967
d. November 21, 1984

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Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Wilson_(basketball)

20221617

Coach Lewis Thorpe Street

Lewis Thorpe was the basketball coach at North Lawndale College Prep, who led the team to the 2008 state Championship. He was demanding and firm, and highly respected as a coach.

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Honorary Coach Lewis Thorpe Street

 

West 16th Street between south Christiana
south Spaulding
&
south Thompson between Burkhardt and Farrar

Approved: 2020

 

Ward: 26
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: Lawndale

d. Age 56

Near
North Lawndale College Prep, Christiana Campus
and Collins campus in Douglas Park

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Honorary Jesse C. White Way

Jesse White is the longest serving Secretary of State in Illinois (1999-2023), 24 years; Cook County Recorder of Deeds (1993-1999); a member of the Illinois General Assembly (16 years). He served in the Chicago Public Schools for 30 years; he served in the Army and in the Illinois National Guard. He also played minor league baseball for the Chicago Cubs. While in college in Alabama, Martin Luther King, Jr. was his pastor.

Before his political career, he was best know for his performance troupe, the Jesse White Tumblers, which he formed in 1959 to teach urban youth the value of athletics and staying in school. His athletes are required to maintain a C-average or better grades and away from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. More than 18,000 youth have come through his program. In retirement from politics he is still actively involved with the Tumblers.

Veteran: Army 101st Airborne Division

Alum
Alabama State University (College) and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
Lincoln Park High School (Waller High School)

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Honorary Jesse C. White Way

100 West to 800 West Division Street

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Approved

Ward: 42

b. June 23, 1934 in Alton, Illinois

Near
Jesse White Field House
412 West Chicago Avenue

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Source

http://jessewhitetumblingteam.com/

WGN-TV Interview: https://youtu.be/yKPimx-0plg?si=emMZjORZar2mNK5i

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_White_(politician)

Illinois Organ and Tissue Donation Program. https://youtu.be/cw54o9HjSrY?si=aHG1ERRtB37Amtgh